Ricardo Pión, YTC Intern 2003

Ricardo is 21 and was chosen to participate in the ECC’s extended internship program through May. As an animator with Flash, Ricardo learned a whole new way to use computers and express himself. He was chosen to participate in the extended internship program because of his seriousness and desire to learn.

Ricardo’s hobbies are reading, going to movies, and playing baseball. He plans to enter college in the near future.

Jefferson Gómez, YTC Intern 2003

Jefferson is 21 years old. He was introduced to technology in high school when he learned about the Internet. His interests are cartooning, computer graphics and web design. In fact, during the internship, Jefferson would have been more than content to spend his entire time in PhotoShop, creating murals, making original images, and learning more about how to use this creative software. We had to remind him periodically that the point of the project was to animate books with Flash.

Jefferson enjoys drawing, creating graffiti, dancing and sports

Veronica Molina, YTC Intern 2003

Veronica is 20 years old. She was first introduced to computers when she was 10 years old. At that time, her use of technology primarily involved playing games and using WordPad to do school work. When she entered Jr. High she began using Microsoft Word to create newsletters. By the end of High School she was familiar with Microsoft Access, PowerPoint and Excel. Learning Flash and Photoshop is another step in her technology skill set.

Veronica plans to enter college where she wants to study psychology. Her interests are reading, going to movies, listening to music, and going on picnics with friends and family. Veronica will also be participating in the ECC extended internship program through the spring.

Joel Debord, YTC Intern 2003

Joel is 21 years old and a second-time Immersion participant. He was born and raised in Washington Heights. His first introduced to technology was when at 17 his mother bought him a Dell computer. He is familiar with Microsoft Office, Flash and Photoshop, and really enjoys animating children’s books.

Joel’s goals are to attend college and study engineering. His hobbies are playing baseball and football, and going to the gym.

Janice Sanchez-Curet, YTC Intern 2003

Janice is 23 years old and the proud mother of a new little girl, Madisone Iris Curet. Prior to giving birth, Janice, a certified Medical Assistant, worked in the health field. Always wanting to learn something new, during this leave of absence, she has continued to push herself in new directions, including learning PhotoShop and Flash during her participation as an Immersion intern. Her next steps are to enroll in an A+ certificate program while she pursues her health career.

Alejandro Molina, YTC Intern 2003

I’m 23 years old and have been using computers since I was 8 years old. At that time I only played games in the internet, but by the time I was 10 I began using Word and doing school projects on the computer. After learning Photoshop and Flash I have become interested in learning more design skills so that I can animate books and build interesting websites.

Alba-Arielis De Las Nueces, YTC Intern 2004

Alba-Arielis De Las Nueces, 15, was born in NY-Presbyterian hospital in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. Currently, she is a junior at the High School of Health Careers and Sciences at the George Washington Educational Campus. Her plans are to attend college and pursue a law degree. Alba animated the children’s book Germs, Germs, Germs. She enjoyed reading and animating this book because the story was adventurous and the illustrations were challenging.

Alida Tavarez, YTC Intern 2004

Alida Tavarez, 22, was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the US when she was 13. She now lives with her family in Washington Heights. She graduated from John F Kennedy High School in 2000 and entered Touro College. She later transferred to Bronx Community College where she is now majoring in nursing. In the future Alida would like to be a nurse and work with children. Alida completed the E-Community Connect Tech Immersion program before coming to work as a summer intern at the Fund. Alida animated the children’s book Let’s Eat, which she liked and would recommend, because it shows family unity and values.

Arline Hernandez, YTC Intern 2004

Arline Hernandez, 17, was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. She is currently a senior at University Heights High School at Bronx Community College. The colleges Arline is interested in attending are Cornell University, Boston University, and Columbia University, because they all have good pre-med programs where she can study neuroscience. She is a member of the Exploring Program, which provides FDNY and EMS training. Arline animated the book Germs, Germs, Germs. She recommends this book because it teaches proper hygiene and being responsible for yourself as a child.

Dalconeris Garcia, YTC Intern 2004

Dalconeris Garcia, 16, was born and raised in the Bronx. She is currently a junior at Mother Cabrini High School. Dalconeris is a graduate of the E-Community Connect Technology Immersion program, which was conducted at the Mosaic Beacon School in 2003. In this program she researched and created a PowerPoint presentation featuring Rosa Parks for Black History Month. Her plan is to attend college and major in pre-med, with the goal of going on to medical school to become a pediatrician. Dalconeris animated the children’s book, Over the Meadow.

Daonnes Payamps, YTC Intern 2004

Daonnes Payamps, 14, was born and raised in Manhattan to Dominican parents. He is currently a sophomore at the High School for Media and Communications at the George Washington Educational Campus. Daonnes plans to attend college and study to be a graphics designer. He animated a book titled Let’s Eat, which he enjoyed reading because the book reflected his family life. Daonnes really enjoyed working and learning Photoshop and Flash as part of this summer project. He gave up an opportunity to go to Dominican Republic on vacation because he was so interested in his work.

Jonathan Paulino, 16, was born and raised in Washington Heights. Currently, he is a sophomore at the High School of Media and Communication in the George Washington Educational Campus where he also volunteers as a tutor to younger children. Jonathan is an aspiring rap artist and entrepreneur with his own start-up label, Xtrodinair Ent, that he began with a couple of young fresh artist. Jonathan plans to attend college and major in business and music production. During the summer of 2004, he animated the book The Day the Dog Said, “Cock a Doodle Doo!” which he found to be a good experience.

Jose Gonzalez, YTC Intern 2004

Jose Gonzalez, 16, was born in Puerto Rico to Dominican parents. His family moved to the United States when he was 5 years old. Jose currently lives in Washington Heights and attends Washington Irving High School where he is in his senior year. Jose plans to continue his education by studying music and focusing on the production end of the business. Jose animated the children’s book "It Takes A Village". He loved the storyline and displayed lots of creativity in his animations.

Jose Luis Rodriguez, YTC Intern 2004

Jose Luis Rodriguez, 20, was born and raised in Manhattan to Dominican parents and is a graduate of Washington Irving High School. He completed the E-Community Connect Tech Immersion program in Washington Heights where he learned PhotoShop and Flash. He also graduated from the Worker Advancement through Technology program at New Heights Neighborhood Center. Jose has applied to attend Manhattanvillle College where he plans to pursue a liberal arts degree. This summer he is animating "The Blind Men and the Elephant" . Jose has enjoyed working on animating this book because of the message it is promoting towards children.

Julio Olaizola, YTC Intern 2004

Julio Olaizola, 19, was born and raised in Manhattan to Dominican parents. After graduating from Cardinal Hayes High School Julio began attending Villanova University where he is currently a Junior majoring in communications and business. Earlier this summer Julio conducted a series of workshops on Worker Advancement through Technology at the New Heights Employment and Referral Center. Julio initially came to ECC last summer as a participant in the SYEP program, when he animated the book Clifford Keeps Cool. He returned this summer as an assistant to help the current group of SYEP interns as they learned Photoshop and Flash. He also animated his second book, "The Lion and the Mouse". In the fall, Julio will be doing an internship at the Villanova Law School.

Rafael Aquino, YTC Intern 2004

Rafael Aquino, 16, was born and raised in the Bronx. He is a senior at Martin Luther King High School. Rafael is interested in computer technology and aerospace engineering. His ambition is to become a pilot. Rafael believes that technology is the key to our future and that with it human beings can improve and create a better tomorrow. He animated the book It Takes A Village, which he liked because the moral of the story is to teach children a sense of community and responsibility for one another. For Rafael, the process of animation was strenuous but also fun.

Rong Mai Jiang, YTC Intern 2004

Rong Mai Jiang, 15, was born in Manhattan and raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Born to Chinese parents. Rong Mai speaks Fujinese and is familiar with other dialects as well. She is currently a sophomore at the High School of Economic and Finance. Some of her hobbies include playing volleyball and the flute. Her goal is to attend Cornell University, a school from which many of her cousins graduated. Rong Mai animated the book The Day the Dog Said, “Cock a Doodle Doo!” She liked the storyline because of the way the animals got along and then switched personalities. Rong Mai reports really enjoying the summer internship because she learned a lot about Flash and Photoshop.

Jonathan Paulino, YTC Intern 2004

Jonathan Paulino, 16, was born and raised in Washington Heights. Currently, he is a sophomore at the High School of Media and Communication in the George Washington Educational Campus where he also volunteers as a tutor to younger children. Jonathan is an aspiring rap artist and entrepreneur with his own start-up label, Xtrodinair Ent, that he began with a couple of young fresh artist. Jonathan plans to attend college and major in business and music production. During the summer of 2004, he animated the book The Day the Dog Said, “Cock a Doodle Doo!” which he found to be a good experience.

Andy Febus has animated six books as a YTC intern, and hopes to incorporate his expanding Photoshop skills as a shoe designer. Of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, Andy lives in Washington Heights.

Ricardo E. Pion entered Interborough Community College as a Computer Programming student. He hopes to eventually combine computer programming with an education in auto mechanics for a career as a machinist. Ricardo’s interest in computer technology helped him produce six books as well as successfully assemble a computer. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Ricardo created a webpage about himself as a YTC intern and his future goals.

Samuel Guzman plans on pursuing a degree in software or computer engineering. Already familiar with the technical aspect of computers, Samuel came to the Fund as an intern to explore the different software available. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Samuel hopes to one day build his own computer. Aside from his technology skills, Samuel is proficient in many instruments including the cello, viola, violin, double bass, trumpet, drums, congas and bongos.

Emmanuel Salazar, from the Dominican Republic, is at Humanities Preparatory Academy and hopes to concentrate his education in graphic arts, to create and design decals, logos and clothing lines. Emmanuel was excited to apply his new Photoshop talents towards his future entrepreneurial endeavors. This aspiring artist from Washington Heights enjoys painting portraits and landscapes as well as writing poetry. Emmanuel was asked to perform some of his writing at Alianza Dominicana’s Annual Youth Conference.

Silvia Namis is at Health Professionals High School. Silvia’s family hails from the Dominican Republic and now resides in the Bronx. She aspires to one day become a pediatrician. After her term as a YTC intern, Silvia feels more confident speaking in front of large groups and hopes to use her newfound technology knowledge as an intern at a doctor’s office. Silvia also participates in the Holy Spirit Youth Group.

Dalconeris Garcia is a rising senior at Mother Cabrini’s High School, where she plans on attending college to become a pediatrician. When Dalconeris arrived at the Fund, she initially found the technology a little difficult, but eventually enjoyed the animation process. By her second summer interning, Dalconeris completed a second book and had applied Flash technology in her school projects. Dalconeris, who is from Dominican Republic and lives in the Bronx, is a Rifles Specialist in her award winning school Color Guard. For the past five years, Mother Cabrini’s High School has won the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Color Guard competition.

Jonathan Paulino, Dominican aspiring rap artist from Washington Heights, has participated in the YTC program for two years. With five books animated, Jonathan hopes to take what he’s learned to help further his music career. His experience in the recording studio for the narration of the animated books has given him preliminary insight into recording. After graduating from George Washington High School, he plans on attending engineering school to learn Protools, a program that will help him produce his own music. Jonathan has just completed his first mix tape.

David Iona from Inwood will be entering his sophomore year at Beacon High School. David came to the Fund with some experience in Flash and Photoshop, and as a summer intern fine-tuned his basic technology skills while animating two books. This Dominican’s future ambitions include careers in technology or law. David is currently working on a school website already featuring flash animation and Photoshop photos about himself.

YTC summer intern, Luis Dominguez, is a native of the Dominican Republic currently residing in Brooklyn. Just graduated from Acorn Community High School, Luis will next attend Brooklyn College where he hopes to continue his technology education in website animation and graphic design. His technology knowledge, coupled with his interest in drawing, will hopefully lead Luis to a career in video game design.

Originally from China, Janna Sheng now resides in Washington Heights. Janna will be a freshman at the High School for American Studies at Lehman College while also attending John Robert Powers to prepare for auditions and casting calls. Janna hopes to one day be successful in the entertainment business as an actress, singer or model. The ambitious Janna is also interested in law, architecture and interior design. After interning during the summer, Janna hopes to employ her technology skills in possibly creating her own website to help promote her acting.

After participating in the YTC program, Jose Rodriguez is now an ECC Program Associate. With seven animated books under his belt, Jose assists fellow interns with his Flash and Photoshop skills. The Washington Heights native is attending Borough of Manhattan Community College in the fall for liberal arts and hopes to transfer to a four-year college to study art and graphic design.

Arline Hernandez is at City College as a pre-med major. As a summer YTC intern, Arline animated four books and used her Flash education to help create her high school’s electronic yearbook. Now she supports other interns as an ECC Program Associate. The Bronx resident is also interested in poetry and creative writing; she has preformed at The Bowery Club and the Tribeca Film Festival. Arline plans to start a poetry club at City College.