From the Morris Educational Foundation:
MORRIS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION DOUBLES NUMBER OF
MYLES SMILED ON YOU AWARD WINNERS
10 Morristown High School Alumni to Receive $5K Each for Secondary Education Loan Reduction Awards in Memory of Myles Mislavsky
Morristown, NJ (December 14, 2020) – In a year full of uncertainty and obstacles, the Morris Educational Foundation (MEF), a non-profit organization enhancing excellence in education in the Morris School District, is honored to announce that ten exceptional Morristown High School (MHS) alumni have been selected as the recipients of the 2020 Myles Smiled on You Award for secondary education loan reduction.
The award was created in memory of 2013 Morristown High School graduate, Myles Mislavsky, and is funded by those who knew and loved Myles, his family, friends and the Golden Bagel Runners.
Myles Mislavsky was a well-known and well-loved member of the community with a contagious smile that could light up a room. Myles’ family – Hector Mislavsky, Judy Martinez and Jessie Mislavsky – continue to share his famous smile and honor his memory through this award for secondary education loan reduction for Morristown High School alumni, which is administered by the Morris Educational Foundation.
In its inaugural year, the MEF presented five alumni with the 2019 Myles Smiled on You Award. Thanks to the Mislavsky/Martinez family, 10 deserving MHS alumni will receive the award in the amount of $5,000 each this year.
The selected recipients who exemplify Myles’ many positive characteristics are Alejandra Bedoya – ‘13, Leah Brusco – ‘13, Alison Fleischman – ‘16, Erica Garcia – ‘10, Andrea Hormaza-Moreno – ‘16, Natalie Lopez – ‘10, Tiffany Otai – ‘14, Melissa Recarte – ‘15, Jessica Torres – ‘15, and Daniel Robinsky – ‘13.
In addition to demonstrating college debt, the award application required three essays of 250 word or less detailing the following topics: How did you or are you dealing with challenging mental, physical health or other situations; Describe how you have demonstrated empathy toward others; and What do you do to help your family/community, accompanied by a letter of recommendation.
Each Morristown High School alumni receiving the award stated how they have helped others just as Myles did during his life. Many of the recipients were friends with or knew Myles, and intend to honor his legacy in the ways he made an impact during his life. This includes giving back to the community, providing love and support, being empathetic and making people feel valued and understood.
Daniel Robinsky, Award recipient and classmate of Myles, had this to say in response to receiving the award. “I’m incredibly honored and humbled to receive this award to celebrate the life of a truly incredible and kind person. Seeing how Myles made his peers fill with joy and laughter was an inspiration and something I strive to do as well. Being a small spot of light in someone’s life could mean the biggest difference. If more people brought the same positivity that Myles had to the world, it would genuinely be a greater place. I will be one of these people in honor of Myles.”
The Mislavsky/Martinez family recognizes that college debt burden weighs heavily on many young people today and hopes to inspire others to help tackle the issue of college debt through philanthropy.
It is also their hope that with this financial award, Myles has “smiled on” these Morristown High School alumni just as he did during his amazing life. Award recipient, Alison Fleischman, recalled this fond memory of Myles.
“I knew Myles from Orchestra, when I was in 9th grade. Even though we did not know each other well, I remember many funny times of him cracking jokes in class. I was lucky to have known Myles and have been able to play in orchestra with him.”
She also expressed her gratitude by saying, “Receiving the Myles Smiled on You Award is an incredibly validating and humbling achievement for me. This award means that I can pursue my passion of occupational therapy through graduate school, and not feel as burdened by my undergraduate debt. I hope to pay forward the kindness that was demonstrated to me, by continuing to give back to my community.”
For more information about awards and scholarships offered, visit the scholarship page on the Morris Educational Foundation website at www.morrisedfoundation.org.
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About Morris Educational Foundation
The Morris Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to attract private resources to support a variety of educational programs and initiatives in support of the Morris School District. Through effective solicitation and distribution of funds, the Morris Educational Foundation helps the District to continue to be the model of visionary social and educational leadership it has been since its inception. For more information, visit www.morrisedfoundation.org.
