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Scholarship recipient Tony NicolaldeEl becario Tony Nicolalde

Tony NicolaldeThe Aurora East Educational Foundation announces with pride that Tony Nicolalde is the 2020 recipient of the Cruz Family Education Scholarship.  The Cruz Scholarship is awarded to a student who will pursue a career in Education.

A 2018 graduate of East High School, Tony reports that he has already completed his first two years at Illinois State University, and is now beginning his junior year.  He is a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) and is going into Deaf Education. 

In order to help the Deaf community, he has been planning to promote the implementation of American Sign Language (ASL) in high schools.

“I have also been creating and leading the curriculum in an ASL class for a STEAM camp run by North Central College,” Tony said.  “I have run one of the first remote learning experiences in Illinois since the camp was fully virtual this year.” 

Tony is hoping to advocate for the Deaf community throughout his career.

The AEEF congratulates Tony on his many accomplishments and on his devotion to pursuing a career that is so dear to him, and also important to the community.  We know that he will be successful, and are very proud of his TOMCAT spirit.

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Tony NicolaldeLa Fundación Educativa del Este de Aurora anuncia con orgullo que Tony Nicolalde es el recipiente del año 2020 de la Beca de Educación de la Familia Cruz. La beca Cruz se otorga a un estudiante que seguirá una carrera en Educación.

Graduado del año 2018 de la escuela East High School, Tony informa que ya ha completado sus dos primeros años en Illinois State University y ahora está comenzando su tercer año. Es hijo de adultos sordos (CODA) y va a estudiar educación para sordos.

Para ayudar a la comunidad sorda, se ha propuesto promover la implantación del idioma de signos americana (ASL) en las escuelas preparatorias.

“También he estado creando y dirigiendo el currículo en una clase de ASL para un campamento STEAM dirigido por el North Central College”, dijo Tony. “Dirigí una de las primeras experiencias de aprendizaje a distancia en Illinois, ya que el campamento es totalmente virtual este año”.

Tony espera abogar por la comunidad sorda a lo largo de su carrera.

La AEEF felicita a Tony por sus numerosos logros y por su dedicación a seguir una carrera tan apreciada por él y también importante para la comunidad. Sabemos que tendrá éxito y estamos muy orgullosos de su espíritu TOMCAT.