The Hispanic Business Council Scholarship Foundation of NJ, Inc. (HBCSF), a statewide nonprofit celebrating 20 years of service, announces that applications are now being accepted for the annual scholarship and stipend awards for current college and college-bound Hispanic students for the 2012-2013 school term. 

            The HBCSF, a tax-exempt organization based in Teaneck, New Jersey, has a mission to advance the educational aspirations of Hispanic students to become professionals, leaders and valued citizens of the community.  The foundation provides scholarships for a college education based on academic excellence and financial need.

            Open to all New Jersey residents of Hispanic heritage, the current application can be accessed through www.hbcsf.org.  Applications and all required information must be postmarked by Wednesday, February 29, 2012.  HBCSF will award a total of $40,000 in scholarships and stipends for books and other course required materials.  Scholarships up to $4,000 each will be disbursed directly to the college or university of the student's choice during the 2012-2013 school term. 

            A student must remain enrolled full-time at an accredited college, university, community college or trade school in the United States and maintain a 3.0 GPA.  In addition to tuition scholarships, HBCSF also awards $1,000 stipends for books and other course required materials.  Scholarship recipients will be required to complete 80 hours of community service between June 2012 and June 2013.

         Interviews and the final award selection will be completed by the end of March and the scholarships will be presented at the Foundation’s 21^st Annual Scholarship Gala to be held at The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, New Jersey on Thursday, May 3, 2012.  The annual gala serves as the major fund-raiser for the HBCSF. 

Sponsors

            Several sponsors were instrumental in providing funding for this year’s scholarship and stipend awards for books and other course required materials.  Platinum sponsors were Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and Wells Fargo Private Bank.  Gold sponsors were Berkeley College, “PIX11 and Tribune Broadcasting”, Quixote Dunes, Inc., Unilever and Verizon.  The bronze level sponsors were Booz | Allen | Hamilton, New Jersey Accounting Services, Inc., haute couture designer Nicolás Felizola, "Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation" represented by the Hispanic Leadership Network, Prudential, and PSE&G.

            Since 1993, HBCSF has awarded $325,500 to 120 students throughout the state.  Information about the 2011 scholarship recipients and the organization's gala may be accessed at www.hbcsf.org or requested by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

        Donations are welcome and may be made online or sent to HBCSF, 429C Cedar Lane #313, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666.  For further information about the HBCSF, visit www.hbcsf.org or send an inquiry to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

            The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera), under Artistic Director Lucine Amara, announces that Alan Smulen of Bayonne will perform the role of Sciarrone, a gendarme, in the upcoming production of Giacomo Puccini’s grand opera, Tosca.  Verismo Opera kicks off the 2011-2012 performing season of Love, Tragedy, and Suicide with Tosca, one of Giacomo Puccini’s most popular, suspenseful operas, on Sunday, October 16 at 3 p.m. at the BergenPAC, 30 North Van Brunt St. in Englewood, New Jersey.

            Smulen, a baritone, has been involved with Verismo Opera for over five years.  In April, he appeared in the Verismo Opera Chorus in Aida, and previously, he sang Marullo in the company’s production of Rigoletto in October 2010.  Recently, he performed in the Gilbert & Sullivan revue, We are All Single Gentlemen, at the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Alan Smulen’s Previous Work

             Smulen has performed internationally in France, Austria, and Italy, as well as in the United States.  A graduate of Brandeis University and the Mannes College, he has appeared with Amato Opera Theater, Hudson Opera Theater, and The Little Opera Company of New Jersey.

            Notably, he helped form the new Amore Opera Company in New York City, where he performed as Schuanard in La Boheme, Baron Zeta in The Merry Widow and Papageno in The Magic Flute.  He also appeared as Doctor Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with the Bleecker Street Opera.  Other roles include Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro, Dr. Dulcamara in L’Elisir D’Amore, Fra Melitone in La Forza Del Destino, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, Falstaff in Falstaff, Leporello in Don Goivanni, Don Alfonso in Cosi fan Tutte, Marcello in La Boheme and the title role in Don Pasquale.

Ticket Information

            Tickets may be purchased at the BergenPAC box office, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey, from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays or by calling (201) 227-1030 or toll-free at 1-888-PACSHOW.  Ticket purchases may be made online at http://www.bergenpac.org/shows-and-events/tickets/.

            A special 25% discount on $55, $45, and $35 tickets will be available ONLY from Thursday, October 6 through Saturday, October 8 using the code TOSCA3.  Discount tickets may be ordered only through the box office and are not be available online.  For special rates for group sales, call (201) 224-2809.

About New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera

            The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera has been a part of the New Jersey music scene since 1989.  The opera company, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, is the only professional grand opera company in Bergen County and northern New Jersey.  The organization provides performing opportunities for young musicians and artists and sponsors an annual vocal competition held in November with finals conducted in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall, drawing artists from all over the United States, Canada, and Europe.  The company also organizes opera workshops and offers affordable, highly professional operatic productions in the Bergen County, New Jersey community.

            The company is recognized for providing up and coming performing artists with the training to attain a successful operatic career.  Several singers, notably Richard Hobson, Frank Poretta, Emmanuel di Villarosa, James Valenti and Irina Rindzuner of the Metropolitan Opera, started their road to success by performing in Verismo Opera productions.

               For more information about the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, visit its web site, www.njavo.org, view its Facebook page at http://bit.ly/9JXTP8, or call (201) 886-0561.