Photographers, singers, painters, dancers -- the students selected this year to join Giving Opportunities To Others’ growing family of scholarship recipients have an array of artistic talents and ambitions. And, thanks to GOTO’s generous donors, they will all have an opportunity to become something else this summer: a camper. 
  
We are excited to introduce them to you...

Sinaya attends PS 72 in Brooklyn, NY.  A budding modern dancer, Sinya looks forward to learning ballet, jazz, tap and folk styles at camp.
 
Jade is a student at PS/IS 73 in Brooklyn where she impresses her teachers with the sophistication of her painting, drawing and sculpting.
 
Christian attends Mott Hall II in Manhattan. He is passionate about photography and capturing moments on film.
 
Kayla is from PS 175 in the Bronx. She sings in the chorus and enjoys harmonizing in groups. 
 
Malik is an artist inspired by both nature and comics. A student at PS/IS 73 in Brooklyn, Malik creates his own original comic books by drawing characters from his favorite strips and placing them in his own stories.
 
Blessing is a student at MS 144 in the Bronx. A recent African emigrant, Blessing has had to learn to communicate in a new language. She sees the visual arts as a universal language and looks forward to expanding her ability to express herself creatively.
 
Crystal attends TASS Middle School in Manhattan. Her teachers describe her voice as "amazing" and Crystal hopes to compliment her vocal talents by learning piano.
 
Alexander attends PS 175 in the Bronx. His mother describes him as a shy artist who will benefit from learning amongst like-minded students.  
 
Kwaku is a student at Mott Hall II in Manhattan. He is passionate about music and hopes to study film at camp in order to create music videos.
 
Jenzia is Bronx resident and student at The Center School in Manhattan. A singer, Jenzia plans to expand her vocal talents at camp.

About GOTO's Scholarship Program
Since 2001, GOTO has enriched the lives of underprivileged New York City students by providing funding to attend Appel Farm arts camp for consecutive summers. The 176-acre facility, located in bucolic Elmer New Jersey, provides a welcoming environment where students can develop their raw talents under the guidance of creative professionals.
 
Such arts programs are more important now than ever before. The economic downturn has dried up funding for arts education, forcing many schools to severely cut programs. Before the current crisis, about 30% of NYC schools did not have any teachers specializing in the arts. In 2008, NYC schools cut their art supply budgets by 63%. Now, they’re facing a $7 million cut in state arts funding, according to the NY Center for Arts Education. 
 
But there’s more to Appel Farm than arts education. Year after year, our scholars tell us that the camp experience is one of the most rewarding parts of their summer. At Appel Farm, they get the opportunity to explore beyond their inner city neighborhoods and make friends in a new environment.
 
To date, GOTO has provided nearly $1 million dollars worth of scholarships, sending scores of kids to camp for several subsequent summers.  We are pleased to have 10 more scholarship recipients joining our 20 returning scholars this year.