Fazana Saleem-Ismail Memorial Scholarship

Fazana Saleem-Ismail was an incredible Guilderland Mom and wife who could light up a room with her beautiful smile.  She was a community activist and dear friend to many.  Fazana was always positive, radiant and made everyone around her feel special.  She spread kindness with her various volunteer projects.  Fazana was the founder of Jazzy Sun Birthdays which has been providing birthday parties for children living in homeless shelters throughout the Capital Region since 2011.  She was also very involved in anti-Islamophobia efforts, in hopes to dispel stereotypes and build bridges.  

We lost a very special member of our community when Fazana succumbed to her battle with stomach cancer in June 2020. 

The Fazana Saleem-Ismail Memorial Scholarship has been created by a Guilderland Family who was looking for a way to honor Fazana and all that she meant to our community.  This Scholarship will be presented annually to a Guilderland High School student who has a passion for volunteerism and philanthropy.  The recipient of this award will be selected for their ability to exemplify compassion towards others, positivity, and a desire to make a significant impact in the community and will be chosen by the Guilderland High School Guidance Department.  

We wanted to offer an opportunity for community members to contribute to the Scholarship fund, as a way of honoring Fazana and keeping her memory alive.