Surrounded by the cast, Cunarro, 22, a resident of Stockholm in Sussex County, was presented with a “check” for $17,177.44 to continue her studies at Rutgers. The presentation was a surprise for the School of Arts and Sciences student, who knew only that she was a nominee for the award.
Inspired by the story of Nina, one of its characters whose family struggles to put her through college, the show’s organization partnered with Clear Channel NY to create the scholarship. The winner was chosen by a panel of judges on the basis of need and sincerity. Five prize packages were auctioned on Clear Channel NY’s radio stations to fund the award.
Cunarro’s story of her own struggles to complete her education touched the hearts of the judges. Four years ago, she put her dream of attending a four-year college on hold when she learned her mother, Irma Cunarro, had breast cancer.
“When my mother was diagnosed, I enrolled in Sussex County Community College so I could be close to home to drive her to chemotherapy and administer her shots,” Cunarro said. “I worked as a pizza delivery girl and waitress, at Bed, Bath and Beyond, and at a childcare center whenever I was not in class.”
Despite the responsibilities of caring for her mother and working three jobs, Cunarro needed only an extra semester to earn her associate’s degree. Once her mother was declared clear of cancer in 2007, she was able to set her sights on attending Rutgers. She entered the School of Arts and Sciences on the New Brunswick campus in fall 2009. She is majoring in English, but hopes to switch to communication. Ultimately, Cunarro would like to become a registered nurse.
“Much of that comes from caring for my mom,” she said. “I have always put others before myself and I feel that would be the perfect career for me.”
Cunarro’s mother was sitting beside her when her name was called in the theater. “Words cannot describe how I felt,” she said. “All I did was hug my mother and cry.”
Cunarro says the award has “literally changed my entire life.” She is grateful to the cast and company of the Tony- and Grammy-Award-winning production for making it possible.
“It has given me such a positive outlook on my future,” she said. “An enormous burden has been lifted from my family. My mother has been working two jobs in order to help me cover the costs of attending school. With this scholarship, I am now able to pay for school, which as taken an immense weight off of her shoulders.”