Freedom HS senior Jerry Rivera is the recipient of a full four-year scholarship to Princeton University from benefactor QuestBridge, a California based nonprofit that benefits high achieving lower income background students as they pursue higher education and opportunities beyond.

The Bethlehem Area school District held a recognition ceremony at Freedom Jan. 31, when Rivera was honored by BASD administrators, awarded proclamations from State Senator Lisa Boscola and State Representative Steve Samuelson, and praised by Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds.

BASD Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy noted that Rivera was one of fewer than 2,000 out of over 15,000 QuestBridge applicants to receive assistance nationally.

After reciting Rivera’s accomplishments and eighth-in-class academic standing, Freedom Principal Laurie Sage said Rivera has a “kind heart and a kind soul.” His guidance counselor, Melanie Houser, said Rivera advocated for himself as he prepared and submitted his application to QuestBridge for assistance.

Rivera also attends Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School, where Executive Director Adam Lazarchak described him as a team leader and predicted that Rivera would be a great asset to the engineering profession.

It was an “intense and nerve-wracking” process said Rivera in an interview. He applied early and said it required so much effort in such a short time.

“I was aware of the financial issues” acknowledged Rivera, who added, “this definitely means the world to me.” He plans to major in electrical engineering.

Also in attendance were Rivera’s mother, Gladys Oquendo, and his brother, Victor Rivera, an 11th grade student at Freedom.

“I want to cry, I want to laugh, I want to jump,” Oquendo said. “I’m proud to be his mom.”

A soft-spoken, reserved Rivera said the recognition made him nervous.

“It’s definitely a lot to process,” he said.