Iraq, Afghanistan War Vet from New Hyde Park Receives Scholarship from Law Firm

New Hyde Park resident Lance Corporal Carlos Arotinco recently returned from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and decided to continue his education, pursuing a degree at Nassau Community College.

Arontinco, along with three other veterans, is getting some help with his education thanks to Garden City-based Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, which has awarded scholarships to the men returning home.

“It is incumbent upon the Long Island business community to assist our veterans as they transition into civilian life,” Lois Schlissel, managing attorney at the firm said in a statement. “It is essential that we help them complete their education by providing tuition assistance so that they can compete for jobs in this very difficult economic climate.”

Lance Corporal Arotinco came to the United States from Peru when he was six years old. He grew up in Glen Cove and is a 2007 graduate of New Hyde Park Memorial High School. He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, enlisting right after high school graduation. Arotinco said school did not interest him and he saw the military as his best option. But after four years in uniform he says his priorities changed and education became very important to him. Arotinco says he plans on transferring to SUNY Farmingdale in the fall to pursue a degree in information technology.

The other scholarship recipients were: Suheil Rivera of Baldwin, Michael Tamayo of Valley Stream and Roselle Able of West Babylon.

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