NEWBURGH – On July 25, 2025, Anthony and Juliana LoBiondo, owners of LoBiondo Law, awarded the annual Marie and Mariano Muyot Memorial Scholarship to Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) graduate Peyton Casey. Peyton will begin her college journey this fall at Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange), where she plans to continue her academic success.
This marks the eighth year that the LoBiondos have offered the scholarship, which is administered by the NFA Guidance Department and awarded to a graduating senior who plans to attend community college.
“This scholarship is deeply personal to me,” said Juliana Muyot LoBiondo, attorney and daughter of the late Mariano and Marie Muyot. “We created it in honor of my parents, who both valued education and made sacrifices so that their children—and others—could pursue college degrees.”
The Marie and Mariano Muyot Memorial Scholarship was created to support students attending community college in the fall after graduation. While tuition may now be covered for many qualifying students, the cost of books and supplies remains high. The $750 scholarship is intended to help ease that burden.
Mariano Muyot had been a college student in the Philippines when he joined the U.S. Navy from Subic Bay in Manila. He served ship side for seven years, became a U.S. citizen through his service in Vietnam’s Gulf of Tonkin, and later moved to the United States, where he worked for IBM. IBM sent him to Dutchess Community College to complete his associate degree in 1971.
Marie Muyot attended SUNY Albany Teachers College and worked as a public school teacher for more than 30 years. “My mother was a passionate supporter of the SUNY system,” said LoBiondo. “This scholarship reflects both of their legacies—hard work, service, and belief in the power of education.”
“We are proud to support Peyton Casey and wish her all the best as she begins her studies,” said Anthony LoBiondo. “She was an exceptional student at NFA, and we’re confident she’ll go on to do great things at SUNY Orange.”
