Hi! My name is April Dentico. I’m from Seaside Park, New Jersey, where I have lived permanently for the past 10 years. This fall, I’ll be attending Montclair State University, where I’ll be majoring in Psychology and following the pre-medical track. My long-term goal is to become an adolescent psychiatrist so that I can work with and support children and teenagers through some of the most important and challenging years of their lives.

How did you find out about the All-Star Scholarship? Honestly, I found the All-Star Scholarship through a Google search! I searched for “foster care scholarships,” and the All-Star Scholarship came up. I’m so grateful that I took the time to search, because that one search led me to an opportunity that is going to make such a meaningful difference in my college journey.

What does this scholarship mean to you and your education? This scholarship is taking a huge financial burden off of both my family and me. To me, though,
it means more than just financial assistance, it also provides a sense of relief and security.

My parents, Bonnie and Bob, adopted me when they were newly retired, so the money they have is essentially what they have to live on. I know that, one way or another, I would have found a
way to make college work, but having this support means that I can focus more on my education and my future rather than constantly worrying about the financial side of college.

I feel incredibly blessed to have been given this opportunity. Knowing that people believe in me and are willing to support my education means more to me than I can put into words.

Tell us about your family and your adoption. How old were you when you were adopted?

My family is made up of my mom, Bonnie; my dad, Bob; my dog, Anna; and my cat, Sparky!

I grew up in New York City with my biological mother and father. My biological mother was in and out of federal prison, and eventually she and I moved down to our beach house in Seaside
Park, where we lived with my grandfather.

Interestingly, Bonnie and Bob were actually my neighbors before I was even born. They have known my biological mother since she was 14 years old, and they have been a part of my life for
as long as I can remember. Even when I was living in New York, I would FaceTime Bonnie and talk to her, and during the summers I would come next door, swim in their pool, and go to the
beach with their family.

When I was eight years old, I was placed with Bonnie and Bob. Because my biological parents fought the process, Bonnie and Bob did not receive Kinship Legal Guardianship (KLG) of me
until I was 13. Even though the legal process took years, they had already been my family in every way that mattered for much longer.

How has being adopted given you a different perspective on life than your peers?

Being adopted has changed the way I look at people and at life. One of the biggest things it has taught me is that everyone is fighting some kind of battle, whether it is something we can see or
something they keep completely to themselves.

Because of my own experiences, I try my best to be kind and give people the benefit of the doubt. I think about how the “annoying” kid in class might just be excited because they finally have someone to talk to about their day. The person who may not smell their best might not have access to the basic necessities they need. The person who always seems happy might go home
every day and struggle with mental battles.

You never truly know what someone else is going through. My experiences have taught me to look at people from different perspectives instead of judging them based only on what I see. I try
to lead with compassion and give people the opportunity to be understood, and I think that is a perspective that has made me who I am today.

What’s one thing about you most people don’t know? 

One thing most people probably don’t know about me is that I actually love being on a farm! Idon’t particularly like the bugs, but I absolutely love animals and the peace and quiet that comes
with being on a farm.

I grew up in New York City and now live at the beach, so I think most people naturally assume I’m completely a “beach girl” which I definitely am! But Bonnie and Bob own horses, and some
of my favorite memories growing up were taking trips to the farm, spending time with the animals, and simply enjoying the quiet. There is something really special about being somewhere
peaceful and away from all the noise.

What are some things you want to accomplish during school? 

During my first semester, I want to make meaningful connections with both my peers and professors, put myself out of my comfort zone, earn strong grades, and get involved on campus
by joining clubs and organizations.

I also want to become more disciplined and work on my tendency to procrastinate. I know that college will require me to take much more responsibility for my time and my education, and I
don’t want to carry the habits I had in high school into this new chapter of my life!

Most importantly, I want to take advantage of the opportunities college gives me. I want to grow academically, personally, and socially and become the kind of person I can be proud of.

Where do you want to be in 10 years? 

In 10 years, I hope to have a stable and fulfilling career working with children and making a difference in their lives. Ideally, I hope to be married and have at least one child of my own, but
more than anything, I hope to be happy and proud of the life I’ve built.

I also hope that I don’t rush through my youth trying to get to the next stage of life. I want to enjoy the process, appreciate the people and experiences along the way, and continue growing as
a person. Wherever I end up in 10 years, I hope I can look back and know that I stayed true to myself, made the most of the opportunities I was given, and built a life that makes me happy.