Milton and Rubi met at Suffolk County Community College Eastern campus in the Spring of 2014 during Milton’s last semester and Rubi’s first semester. The two met while participating in the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) Club. During that semester the two began to meet each other, and it didn’t take long for them to notice how compatible they were. When Milton first asked Rubi on a date, their similarities continued to reveal themselves.
After graduating from Suffolk County Community College, and as fate had it planned both moved on to finish their bachelor’s degree at Long Island University, CW Post Campus. The couple continued through college together, through all the late study nights, the midnight pizza slices, midterm weeks, finals weeks, and finally graduation. They did everything together, taking classes, studying together, exploring campus, and even finding their first jobs together. Throughout the years the couple did a lot of growing and celebrating together. They both helped and supported each other get through school and achieve all their goals.
Rubi mentioned “I don’t think my college experience would have been as good as it was if I didn’t have him, we got to celebrate so many crucial milestones together”. As the couple continues to build their future together, their college experience holds a special place in their heart. Both remain connected with Suffolk County Community College and volunteer time when possible.
The two tied the knot in September 2023 and continue to share their love for each other, celebrating their first Valentine’s Day as a married couple.
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How two Amazonians joined forces to close the gender gap in amputee soccer
After bonding over shared experiences, Joan Bolanos Martinez and Cliff Donathan established an organization to empower women with limb differences through amputee soccerA to Z News December 20, 2023
December 3 was International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), proclaimed by the United Nations. At Amazon, we celebrate inclusivity and the contributions of persons with apparent and non-apparent disabilities, and are recognizing IDPD under the theme United in Action, Advancing Accessibility for All throughout the month. Learn more here.
In recognition of IDPD, we’re highlighting two Amazonians who established an organization that empowers women with limb differences through amputee soccer.
Amazon Financial Analyst Joan Bolanos Martinez, a native Venezuelan, played soccer his whole life. But after he lost his leg due to a medical complication in 2007, he had to learn a new way to play the sport he loved.
Joan was introduced to amputee soccer in 2015 after moving to the United States.
“I felt scared because I thought I was too fragile. I remember thinking, ‘what if I break a bone, or what if I fail?’ But it was also really exhilarating, and I remember feeling happy,” he said.
By his third time playing, he was hooked. “I felt seen again, I felt valuable again. I knew this was an avenue for me.”
Cliff Donathan, principal security advisor at AWS, used to take his daughter, Amie, to Seattle Sounders games when she was just 4 years old. She was a natural athlete and competitor, and even though she was born with a rare disability that caused her left femur to stop growing, she dove into the sport.
“I used to coach her in soccer when she was little, and I was real with her. I’d tell her that she’d be the slowest on the field just given her prosthetic, and to grow her competitive edge, we’d just watch hours of soccer on YouTube,” he said.
Amie played able-bodied soccer for six years until she made the difficult decision to leave the sport.
“As the players got faster on the field, Amie felt like she was holding them back,” Cliff said.
Amie soon took to competitive golf and just as colleges were looking to recruit her, she was introduced to amputee soccer and knew she wanted to pursue it.
Amie went on to become one of the youngest members of the U.S. National Amputee Soccer team, and in 2022, competed as one of only two women in the World Amputee Football Federation World Cup. More recently she was inducted into the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) museum where her jersey and crutches are hung on the wall among greats like Mia Hamm.
Amie, pictured here on the left, playing amputee soccer. On the right, is a photo of her being inducted into the FIFA museum, holding her jersey.
Cliff and Joan’s paths crossed when Joan was working for the American Amputee Soccer Association (AASA). They not only bonded over shared experiences, but they bonded over a subtle paradox—while amputee soccer never had a gender requirement and was developed to be inclusive, it was still a male-dominated sport.
Amie herself experienced gender discrimination.
“Amie was about 15 years old playing with 30-year-old men, some of whom would pull her aside and say, ‘you don’t belong on the field,’” recalled Cliff.
Joan also was no stranger to the gender gap. He recognized that it had been more than a decade since a woman joined amputee soccer—that woman being Amie. As a board member for AASA and also working full time at Amazon, Joan made a push for the organization to focus on making the sport more accessible for women. After a failed attempt, he resigned.
Both Amazonians with a shared mission, Cliff and Joan established the United States Amputee Football Federation (USAFF) in January 2023 to elevate and empower all women with limb differences through the support, growth, and inclusion of amputee soccer.
With the goal to hold their first camp on International Women’s Day in March, Cliff and Joan had only two months to set up 501(c)(3), create a website, find a facility, and more.
“In the middle of all of that, my manager Hart Rossman said he wanted to donate to USAFF to help fund women traveling to the event. This meant a lot, and helped legitimize our organization,” said Cliff.
Since then, Cliff and Joan have held camps around the world including in the Ukraine, Mexico, and Colombia to raise awareness of amputee soccer, introduce people with limb differences and their families to the sport, and build partnerships with local organizations that support people with disabilities.
They achieved another milestone when FIFA accepted Cliff and Joan’s proposal to set up a presence at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia, where they could spread awareness of amputee soccer and USAFF’s mission.
A group photo of USAFF volunteers taken at the Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia. Cliff is pictured second to the left, while Joan is fourth from the right. Amie is pictured in the middle.
While there, Joan had the opportunity to participate in interviews with NBC and Telemundo. But the most meaningful moment to him was experiencing seven-year-old, Sam, light up when he saw amputee soccer.
“We gave Sam’s mom a pair of crutches when we first met them at the World Cup. They came back the next day and his mother said, ‘Sam, has been jumping around with the crutches, kicking the soccer ball since yesterday.’ And he did that for the next four days that we were there,” said Joan. “It’s small, yet transformational moments like this make this all worth it.”
Joan pictured here in the middle with FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman to his left, and Sam to his right at the Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia.
Cliff shared a similar moment when he saw the joy that came to eight-year-old Maddie’s face when she was introduced to amputee soccer at one of their camps in Texas.
“I watched her go tell her parents that these are her people, just like my daughter did,” recalled Cliff.
Since then, FIFA has expressed interest in inviting Cliff and Joan to all their World Cup events and deepening their relationship with USAFF. Cliff and Joan have also worked to spread awareness of USAFF at conferences around the country, and even had a presence at AWS re:Invent this year where they connected with executives and business leaders who are interested in getting involved in their organization.
As far as their hope for those who experience amputee soccer through USAFF?
“We just want people with limb differences to know they have an opportunity to continue to play a sport they love, and not be excluded from it,” said Joan.
At Suffolk County Community College Joan served as a Senator in the Student Government, a Peer Mentor, Carmen E. Ortiz ESL Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and SUNY Chancellor Award.
Seven students will be awarded The State University of New York’s (SUNY) highest honor, The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence; six are Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All State recipients, and four are Coca-Cola scholars.
Nine Suffolk County Community College students are being honored for their academic achievements by three prestigious organizations that recognize academic achievement, excellence and leadership. Several of the students have earned multiple awards.
Seven students will be awarded The State University of New York’s (SUNY) highest honor, The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence; six are Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All State recipients, and four are Coca-Cola scholars.
We are extremely proud of these exceptional students and their achievements,” said Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Edward Bonahue. “These are students who are engaged in their home and college communities; they innovate, dream, and achieve. They try their best and have proven that their best is extraordinary,” he said.
About the Awards
The student recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence are recognized for their integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives including leadership, campus involvement, community service, arts (creative or performing), athletics, and/or career achievement.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.
The Coca-Cola Academic Team recognizes high achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.
The 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholars are awarded $1,500 scholarships and Silver Scholar a $1,250 scholarship. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion. Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.
Award Recipients
Chancellors Award
Adrianna Oliva is an American Sign Language major from Stony Brook, has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Adrianna serves as vice president of the ASL Club, is an Honors Scholar, and Orientation Leader at the College. She is also heavily involved with the College’s theatre program and has worked as a stage hand and an assistant sound designer for several campus productions that earned her a Certificate of Merit and the Junior Mint Award presented by the theatre arts faculty.
Chancellors Award
Emily Lucana is a Business Administration major from Huntington, has a 3.8 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition. Emily serves as vice president of the Honors Club, president of the Student Government Association, president of the Business and Accounting Club, Peer Mentor and SGA Representative at the Campus Activities Board. This Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar has already started her own art business, and is the recipient of the prestigious Honors Foundation Scholarship, which is the highest scholarship given by Suffolk County Community College’s Honors Program.
PTK All -State, Coca-Cola Silver Scholar, Chancellors Award
Ma Rodezsa (Dezsa) Santillan, a Liberal Arts major from Southold, has a 3.9 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. As one of only two Eastern Campus students nominated to the PTK All-USA Academic Team, Dezsa serves as president of the Campus Activities Board, where she has led events such as the Halloween Festival, FIFA Tournament, Oktoberfest and Bingo Day. Dezsa is also a Peer Mentor and an Orientation Leader, and is a regular blood donor at the Red Cross blood drives on campus.
Chancellors Award
Megan Ramirez, an Addiction Studies major from Bayshore, has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Megan serves as president of the Addiction Studies Club, vice president of Alpha Sigma Lambda and is a Get There from Here Scholar. Megan is a regular volunteer at Brighter Tomorrows Inc., and ECLI/VIBES, speaking at events to raise awareness about domestic violence, distributing holiday toys, and organizing their clothing pantry. She has also appeared in Suffolk County’s Narcan Training Video as well as the College’s own photo shoots and commercials.
PTK All-State, Coca-Cola Gold Scholar, Chancellors Award
Nicholas Maloney, a Liberal Arts Psychology major from Lake Ronkonkoma, has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Nicholas serves as vice president of service for PTK’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter and is a member of the Honors College. He is a recipient of the Get There from Here Scholarship, volunteers weekly in the campus food pantry, and also performs stand-up comedy while not on campus. His many contributions to the College have earned him one of only two nominations for the Ammerman Campus PTK All-USA Academic Team.
PTK All-State, Coca-Cola Gold Scholar, Chancellors Award
Christine Castillo, a Health Information Technology major from Brentwood, has a 3.8 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Christine is the president and co-founder of the Global Connections Club, which promotes and celebrates student cultural diversity. She is also a Peer Mentor, senator in the Student Government and is a recipient of several prestigious scholarships, including the NSF-STEM Scholarship, Vanessa Todd Scholarship, and Get There from Here Scholarship. Christine also regularly volunteers as her church’s secretary and at Pronto of Long Island, helping LI’s needy population.
PTK All-State, Coca-Cola Gold Scholar, Chancellors Award
Kaycee Gracia, a Liberal Arts: Geology major from Sayville, has a 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Kaycee serves as President of PTK’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter, where she directed two major campaigns: to combat “fast fashion” and create an Autism Sensory Room on the Ammerman Campus. She is also an Orientation Leader and is the recipient of nine scholarships, most notably the Get There from Here Scholarship, Sartorius STEM Scholarship, and NSF-STEM Scholarship. She also actively volunteers with the Rotaract Community Service Club and campus food pantry.
PTK All-State
Meredith Rosa, a Business Marketing major from Central Islip and has a 3.8 grade point average. She has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Meredith serves as president of the Dance Club, Executive Board, Peer Mentor and was one of the nominees for PTK All-USA, All-State Academic Team.
PTK All-State
Thursday Abad, a Liberal Arts major from Wading River, has a 3.7 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. This future art museum curator is one of only two Eastern Campus students nominated to the PTK All-USA Academic Team for the 2022-2023 academic year. Thursday also serves as secretary of PTK, is a peer mentor, and has one of her essays published in the Eastern Campus student Newspaper, Lighthouse News.
Seven Suffolk County Community College students have been awarded the State University of New York’s (SUNY) highest honor, The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence (CASE).
The seven Suffolk students are recognized for their integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives including leadership, campus involvement, community service and the arts (creative or performing).
“We are extremely proud of these exceptional students and their extraordinary achievements,” said Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Edward Bonahue. Suffolk’s students were among 180 students from 61 SUNY campuses to be recognized with the prestigious award.
In a letter to students, SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, “The CASE awardees we honor today exemplify the students who leave incredible legacies behind on their campus communities. These are students who fight, innovate, dream, and achieve. They are students who never fail to try their best and have proven that their best is extraordinary.”
The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997. This year, CASE includes five Student Veteran Service Awards in addition to special honors for overcoming the odds, mental health, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Nathan Gardner, U.S. Air Force Special Award Winner, Military Service Suffolk Community College Holbrook, NY Business Administration
Nathan Gardner enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 18 and served as a nuclear weapons security specialist from 2008 to 2012. A business administration major from Holbrook. Nathan has a 3.8 GPA and earned Dean’s List recognition for the past three semesters. He is a member of the Honors Program, PTK, and Alpha Beta Gamma, serves as president of the Students Veterans Association, and is a VA work study student.
Sabrina Arocho Shirley, NY Liberal Arts
Sabrina Arocho, a liberal arts major from Shirley, has a 3.9 GPA and earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Sabrina serves as president of the Student Government Association, president of the Honors Club, and secretary/treasurer of the Criminal Justice Club.
Elida Blanco-Buitron Smithtown, NY Radio & TV Production
Elida C. Blanco-Buitron, a Radio and TV production major from Smithtown, has a 3.7 GPA and earned Dean’s List recognition each semester for the last two years. Elida serves as a senator of the Student Government Association, peer mentor, Campus Activities Board member, and a Get There from Here Scholar.
Armando Escobar Castillo Brentwood, NY Information Technology
Armando Escobar Castillo, an information technology major from Brentwood, has a 3.9 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Armando serves as founder and president of the Global Connections Club, director of student organizations for the Student Government Association, and a peer mentor.
Jasmin Martins Abade Sayville, NY Business Administration
Jasmin Martins Abade, a business administration major from Sayville, has a 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Jasmin serves as president of the PTK’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter, vice president of NY Region PTK, an orientation leader, and a Get There from Here Scholar.
Rosena Petit Homme Bayshore, NY Psychology
Rosena Petit Homme, a liberal arts major focusing on psychology, is from Bayshore, has a 3.9 GPA, and has earned Dean’s List recognition. Rosena serves as vice president of the Global Connections Club, vice president of Suffolk’s Book Club, a senator in the Student Government Association, and a member of the Campus Activities Board.
Daniel Canavin Port Jefferson, NY Liberal Arts
Daniel Canavin, a liberal arts major from Port Jefferson has a 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List Recognition every semester for the last two years. Daniel serves as president of Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter, a senator of the Ammerman Campus Student Government Association, and is a Get There from Here Scholar.
Leeanna Rutigliano, Gabriella Hassildine and Amrita Deonanan are recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.
Three outstanding Suffolk County Community College students will be awarded the prestigious State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence at an April virtual ceremony.
The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recognizes students for outstanding achievements and who best demonstrate the integration of SUNY excellence within many aspects of their lives, which must include three of the following areas: academics, leadership, campus involvement, community service, or the arts (creative performing).
“We are extremely proud and celebrate these exceptional students,” said Suffolk County Community College Interim President Louis Petrizzo. “Our students’ outstanding academic achievements, leadership and service, exemplify the very best our college has to offer.”
Suffolk County Community College’s SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recipients are:
Leeanna Rutigliano A Child Study Education major from Medford, Leeanna has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Leeanna serves as President of Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter; is a Division 1 Finalist Oberndorf Scholar, and member of Suffolk’s College Choir.
Gabriella Hassildine A Liberal Arts General Studies major from Mattituck, Gabriella has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Gabriella has served as president of the Music Club, president of the Honors Club, and as an Orientation Leader.
Amrita Deonanan A Business Administration major from Brentwood, Amrita has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Amrita serves as a Peer Mentor, chief financial officer of the Student Government Association, and assistant editor of the Western Student Press.
Amrita Deonanan, Gold Scholar, Michael J. Grant Campus and Leeanna Rutigliano, Silver Scholar, Ammerman Campus
Suffolk’s Leeanna Rutigliano and Amrita Deonanan have been named 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholars based upon scores the students earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition. More than 2,000 students competed for the coveted title and award.
The Coca-Cola Academic Team recognizes high achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.
Michael J. Grant Campus student Amrita Deonanan was named a Gold Scholar and the Ammerman Campus’ Leeanna Rutigliano a Silver Scholar.
Amrita Deonanan, Gold Scholar, Michael J. Grant Campus A Business Administration major from Brentwood, Amrita has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Amrita serves as a Peer Mentor, chief financial officer of the Student Government Association, and assistant editor of the Western Student Press.
Leeanna Rutigliano, Silver Scholar, Ammerman Campus A Child Study Education major from Medford, Leeanna has a 4.0 grade point average and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Leeanna serves as President of Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter; is a Division 1 Finalist Oberndorf Scholar, and member of Suffolk’s College Choir.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion. The program is administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
“The American Dream in 2019: Joan Bolanos Martinez’s Resolve Before and During His Time at GS”
February 1, 2019
For one to be met with adversity only makes the accomplishment of one’s goals that much more rewarding. Economics major Joan Bolanos Martinez can back this statement up with his account of a path that started in a small town in Venezuela and has led him to the financial epicenter of the world.
For as long as he can remember, Bolanos Martinez had the urge to leave the small town of Guanare in search of new opportunities. However, for Joan’s father, the notion of family superseded academic opportunity. Initially, his father was hesitant to accept his pursuit of academics so far from home at the Central University of Venezuela.
“It did not matter what subject I studied as long as I was close to my brothers and my family,” Bolanos Martinez said.
However, at the age of 21, and after much disagreement with his parents, he left for Caracas to pursue his education, where he juggled both studying engineering and working to support himself in his new city.
Joan’s most enduring challenge was still awaiting him. In 2007, he was involved in a serious car accident, which left him with a broken leg. Surgery was performed, and unfortunately, led to a major infection that eventually required amputation.
Bolanos Martinez faced impending bankruptcy from his vast medical expenses, but with the assistance of a trusted financial advisor who went above and beyond to help, Bolanos Martinez and his family were saved from economic despair. He credits the work of this financial advisor as being the inspiration that pushed him toward the field of economics.
After his finances were in order, Bolanos Martinez spent two years recovering from his injuries. He attempted to return to studying engineering but found his performance was not where it once was. He knew that he needed a change of pace in order to reignite his academic excellence, and his passion for economics was growing. Upon realizing that English was a skill needed to be successful in the business world, Bolanos Martinez came to the United States and managed to save enough to cover his enrollment in the ESL program at Suffolk County Community College in Selden, New York.
Upon completing the program, he intended on returning home to his motherland. However, an increasingly non-democratic Venezuela compelled Bolanos Martinez’s parents to encourage him to remain in the United States. With an established foothold at Suffolk County Community College, he decided to pursue further education.
“When I decided to make the US my home, I was determined to succeed no matter what obstacles I was about to face,” recalled Bolanos Martinez.
Bolanos Martinez racked up an impressive resume that included leadership work in various organizations, membership in various honor societies, and a GPA of 3.9. Nevertheless, he wanted more.
“I learned about the amazing work that GS does to open opportunities for people like me, who are eager to succeed regardless of the adversities we have faced to truly achieve the American Dream,” Bolanos Martinez said.
Although Bolanos Martinez was excelling in the world of academics, the results of his earlier car accident prevented him from pursuing another passion rooted in his upbringing: soccer. However, in May 2016, the US National Amputee Soccer Team contacted him. He then began an intense series of training to get him in shape for the team and competed in a 2017 tournament in California.
Fast forward a year and Bolanos Martinez’s work ethic and ambitious nature have brought him further success. This past summer, his goals of breaking into the world of finance came to fruition as he made a big impression as an intern in wealth management at J.P. Morgan Chase. Even with starting two weeks behind his peers, Bolanos Martinez rose to the challenge of learning his role at an expedited rate. He credits his work ethic with being the reason that he was the only intern on his team who was invited to a client meeting by a senior banker. He was so successful that the company asked him to return this coming summer in a similar position but with expanded responsibilities.
“After my amputation, I learned that every day counts to achieve my dreams, so I maximize every opportunity to make things happen,” Bolanos Martinez said.
After graduation, he wishes to take both his economic experience in the workforce and academic knowledge of the subject back to his home country in order to help make Venezuela’s future a bit brighter. For this reason, he is now weighing out the idea of obtaining a Ph.D. or MBA in economics.
“All options are on the table,” Bolanos Martinez said.
A to Z News December 20, 2023
Amie, pictured here on the left, playing amputee soccer. On the right, is a photo of her being inducted into the FIFA museum, holding her jersey.
Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Eta Gamma Alumni Chapter 