SAPS December Newsletter
Përshëndetje!
Welcome to our recap of December and the first full year of SAPS as an organization. Below we will walk you through our recent initiatives, with a view of everything we have accomplished together this past year, and what we hope to build on in 2025.
This month:
Updates on our High School Mentorship Program
Our ongoing initiative; SAPS Scholar Spotlight
Latest on EaglePod
DOA: International Migrants Day highlights the history of The Meadow of Tears
Latest on Arbanon Magazine
SAPS reminders
Let’s begin!
SAPS HS Mentorship Program
One of our organization’s key services, the High School Mentorship program, continues to grow! We are now joined by 44 mentors from 33 top institutions in the United States, tutoring students not only in the diaspora but also in the Albanian-speaking territories.
For those unfamiliar with what we have to offer:
Free & Accessible – The SAPS Mentorship Program is entirely free for students.
Personalized Mentorship – Receive one-on-one guidance from successful college students across the diaspora.
Tailored College Prep Support – Learn essential strategies for college applications, scholarships, and academic success.
Intentional Strategies to Present Your Best Self – Get advice on showcasing your unique strengths and experiences beyond grades, helping you stand out to U.S. colleges.
Lifelong Connections – Join a network of mentors and peers across the U.S. building a lasting community of support.
We urge you to sign the Mentee Interest Form on behalf of yourself or another high-potential student!
2. SAPS Student Spotlight – Get Featured
This month, we continued our SAPS Student Spotlight series, highlighting young Albanians who are achieving great things in their educational pursuits.
First we have Kaltrina Liçi, a dual enrollment student at Gulf Coast High School and Florida Gulf Coast University pursuing both her Associate’s Degree and High School Diploma. Kaltrina serves as a Political Affairs intern with the Borgen Project, where she advocates for legislation fighting global poverty, as well as a Youth Member of the United Nations Association of the USA.
Our next scholar is Rinalda Proko, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the UMass Chan Medical School. Holding Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Tirana, Rinalda earned her Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas, where she placed first in the Three-Minute Thesis Competition of the American Society of Cell Biology. Rinalda’s research on molecular biology focuses on the mechanisms of exocytic vesicle docking and fusion to the plasma membrane.
Up next is Kevin Corraj, a bright junior at Regis High School in New York. Kevin serves as the Organizer and Director of Outreach at Young Minds Matter, an organization committed to educational reform and tutoring services for underserved students. Previously, Kevin launched a state-wide solidarity campaign for Ukrainian refugees, mobilizing 62,000 students and faculty from Albany to Staten Island and raising $100,000 in the process. He is now using his experience and drive to launch the Albanian Tutors Org, aimed at enriching the educational prospects and extracurricular activities of Albanian middle schoolers.
Last but certainly not least, we have Drenushe Krasniqi-Vanmeter, who holds an International Baccalaureate Diploma from United World College Robert Bosch College in Germany and a B.A. in Biochemistry with a Minor in Medical Humanities from Earlham College. She is currently a Senior Research Assistant at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, leading groundbreaking projects in neuro-ophthalmology, optic neuropathies, and epigenetic therapies for blinding diseases. Her dedication in the field has also earned her numerous awards and publications. Beyond her scientific achievements, Drenushe is the founder of “Beyond the Shadows,” an initiative amplifying the voices of sexual violence survivors from the Kosova War.
We would like to congratulate all our scholars and invite you to read more about their achievements on our socials!
3. New on Dose of Albania
The latest installment of the Dose of Albania series, in honor of International Migrants Day on December 18th, highlights the history of The Meadow of Tears (Lëndina e Lotëve) in the charming city of Korça. This site holds deep significance as the place where young migrants from the region bid farewell to their families, embodying both their hopes and their sorrows.
Korça is known among Albanians as the city of perpetual migrants, with the perception being that virtually every family has had a family abroad since the early 20th century. The Meadow stands to this day as a dignified representation of Albanian migrants and their families through the centuries.
4. Latest on EaglePod
Our affiliated podcast, hosted by Lorena Culaj, is gearing up for a brand new season with its returning episode featuring Richard Lukaj! As the founder of Bank Street Holdings LLC, a leading private investment firm, Richard has had an extraordinary career with over $100 billion in transaction value. Recognized as one of Wall Street’s top investment bankers and included in Crain’s “Top 40 Under 40,” he brings a wealth of expertise to the table.
Beyond his remarkable professional accomplishments, he is a David Rockefeller Fellow and a dedicated philanthropist, earning accolades in New York Magazine.
Stay tuned for the release date!
5. New on Arbanon Magazine
Arbanon Magazine continues to publish insightful articles on Albanian history. This month, columnist Valton Vuciterna continued his series on the long arc of Kosova’s history. In his second installnment, Valton looks beyond recent myths and historical misunderstandings to probe into Kosova’s complex religious landscape, including past mass conversions and interethnic conflicts.
6. SAPS Community GroupMe
Here is a monthly reminder to join our SAPS Community GroupMe! Our members have used this platform to promote impactful new projects, share music and traditions or to simply discuss what their Albanian identity means to them.
Whatever your interests are, you will find a space and peers to support you here.
Finally, it is with gratitude and a hint of disbelief that we look back at the past year of growth and connection. We hope to use the lessons and successes of this year to expand, accomplish and provide much more in the years to come. Above all, we are filled with gratitude for the larger community that has made this all possible. May we continue to work together towards a brighter future for Albanians everywhere!
