Camille Bourland is first winner of Our Youth Their Future scholarship in Morristown

Morristown High School senior Camille Bourland, left, receives scholarship award from Toshiba Foster of Our Youth Their Future. Photo by Maureen Denman.
Morristown High School senior Camille Bourland, left, receives scholarship award from Toshiba Foster of Our Youth Their Future. Photo by Maureen Denman.
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    Morristown High School senior Camille Bourland, left, receives scholarship award from Toshiba Foster of Our Youth Their Future. Photo by Maureen Denman.
Morristown High School senior Camille Bourland, left, receives scholarship award from Toshiba Foster of Our Youth Their Future. Photo by Maureen Denman.

 

By Berit Ollestad

Camille Bourland is an A student at Morristown High School. But her extracurricular activities were equally impressive to Our Youth Their Future, which has named Bourland as the recipient of its first scholarship.

“I am truly inspired and am very proud of her accomplishments,” said Toshiba Foster, co-founder of the nonprofit, who awarded the $500 scholarship at Saturday’s sixth annual Our Youth Their Future Rally at the Cauldwell playground.  “Now is a time where education is very crucial, so we are thankful to be able to provide scholarship opportunities to youth who have a desire to continue their education.”

“It is so great to see so many people here supporting such a good cause,” said Bourland, who will use the money to buy textbooks this fall at Syracuse University, where she plans to study music education.

Bourland also has received scholarships from the Community Foundation of New Jersey (the Dorothy Ossre Freeman Memorial Scholarship), the Women’s Club of Morristown and Hillside Hose Co. No. 1.

Camille Bourland over the years. Please click icon below for captions.

 

She has starred in several plays at MHS, where she is treasurer of the Thespian Society, vice president of the Heritage Club and a volunteer at the Intergenerational Prom. Bourland also sings in the Region 1 Choir and was honored last year by the Mayo Performing Arts Center as music student of the month.

Additionally, she is a peer minister at Assumption Church, and a vacation Bible school counselor.  She is the daughter of Carol and Rick Bourland.

The scholarship was just one of the highlights of Saturday’s gathering, a six-hour community celebration with food, beverages, giveaways and basketball.

“If we’re gonna do it, we’re gonna do it right” said Foster, who also is a Morristown councilwoman

Photos by Bill Lescohier. Please click icon below for captions.

 

Our Youth Their Future was created in response to a teenager’s suicide. The annual barbecue stresses the importance of taking care of one another and taking ownership of our community.

Fun at the Sixth Annual Our Youth Their Future rally. Photo by Maureen Denman
Fun at the Sixth Annual Our Youth Their Future rally. Photo by Maureen Denman

Emcee Sir Richard used his star power to energize the crowd.

“Look to the person next to you, and I’m not talking about the one you came here with. Introduce yourself and get to know someone new, and don’t just do the status quo ‘hi, how are you?'” he told the crowd.

Throughout the day folks were reminded that Morristown is  their community, nobody else will take an interest in it if they don’t.

Police Chief Pete Demnitz and Councilman Stefan Armington also came to show their support.

“There aren’t many events in town that focus on children celebrating children. It’s great to see the police chief out there refereeing the basketball game. Anytime you can get kids away from video games and at the park for the day, it’s a good thing” said Armington.

Facepainting at the Sixth Annual Our Youth Their Future rally in Morristown. Photo by Maureen Denman.
Facepainting at the Sixth Annual Our Youth Their Future rally in Morristown. Photo by Maureen Denman.

The award-winning Sophisticated Steppers entertained the crowd with their fancy foot moves.  Kids escaped the heat by playing in the swimming pool.

But the blazing sun did not keep anyone off the basketball court. The day started with a scrimmage by members of the Morristown High girls team, and then the boys showed what they can do. Trading his badge for a whistle, Chief Demnitz kept everyone on his / her best behavior.

Second Ward Council Candidate Hillari Davis Oyesanya also stopped over.

“I grew up with Toshiba and I’m here to show my support and to help out in any way I can” she said.

Aaliyah Dawkins , a 7-year old second grader, summed up the day perfectly:

“I think today is about the community coming together and having fun and doing something nice for the kids.”

Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.

MORE ABOUT OUR YOUTH THEIR FUTURE

Toshiba Foster expressed thanks to …

Morristown Medical Center, Atlantic Behavioral Health, Morristown Neighborhood House and Cornerstone Family Programs, the Morristown Partnership, People Helping People in Need, Zufall Health Center, the Interfaith Food Pantry, Freedom House, Bethsaida Chapter No. 7 and Tyrian Lodge #34.

And to food sponsors: Longfellow’s Sandwiches Deli, Long John’s Sandwich Shop, Blimpie’s, Iron Bar, Anthony’s Pizza, Washington Bistro, George & Martha’s American Grille, Millie’s Old World Meatballs & Pizza and Nonna’s Italian Pizzeria.

She also thanked businesses, law firms, family and friends who supported the rally with donations, volunteer efforts or words of encouragement.

Foster added special thanks to emcee Sir Richard; to Councilman Stefan Armington; and to Mayor Tim Dougherty, First Lady Mary Dougherty and the Timothy Dougherty Charity Fund for donating the bouncy house.

Fun at the Cauldwell Playground pool, at Sixth Annual Our Youth Their Future rally. Photo by Maureen Denman
Fun at the Cauldwell Playground pool, at Sixth Annual Our Youth Their Future rally. Photo by Maureen Denman

4 COMMENTS

  1. Each year when I attend this event, I am in awe of the caring and dedication shown by the Morristown Community. This grass roots team of concerned adults have come together to support our community’s youth. The event is always lots of fun, but most importantly, there is the feeling of love, support and guidance that permeates throughout the day…..Wonderfully uplifting and hugely generous thing to offer to Our Youth.

  2. Our Youth Their Future youth rally was a huge success. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this event. Our youth really needs to have event’s of this nature more often. The youth today will be our next Doctor’s, Lawyer’s, and who knows maybe the President of the United States one day. To see our community blended with different nationalities was amazing. The scholarship winner Cammille Bourland was all smiles when receiving the award. Good Luck to her future endeavors. Lastly Berit, Kevin, and Bill did a wonderful job covering the event. I would like to Thank all involved in bring this event to our community.

  3. On behalf of Our Youth Their Future Inc. (OYTF) I’d like to the Morristown Green for doing such a great job covering our event. You captured every highlight of the day. The story embodies everything the event stood for. From representing a “Community”, to promoting “Education and Awareness” and Celebrating Youth, and you couldn’t have said it better. Berit, Bill & Kevin you are certainly a dynamic TEAM….Thank you again. Also, OYTF would like to thank TransWestern for sponsorship and support as well.

  4. Our Youth Their Future youth rally was such an awesome event! I take my hat off to the board members and volunteers that took part in making Saturday’s event such a success. It’s very important that we support events of this nature to let our children know that they are an important part of our community because they are indeed our future… job well done guys! Also the staff at Morristowngreen.com did such a wonderful job covering the event…Berit, Kevin and Bill you guys did a great job showing the great time that everyone had…thanks so much! Its important that we see events like this covered so people know what is really happening in our community.

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