From the Morris Educational Foundation:
MORRIS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION PRESENTS 29 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS TO MORRISTOWN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Over $376K Awarded at June 21 Virtual Scholarship Celebration
Morristown, NJ (June 24, 2021) – Celebrations are in order as the Morris Educational Foundation (MEF) is proud to announce it has awarded over $376,000 in scholarships and awards to 28 hardworking Morristown High School seniors to support their academic pursuits.
The MEF, a nonprofit organization enhancing excellence in education in the Morris School District, honored the deserving students and its generous donors during a virtual scholarship celebration on June 21.
The MEF has seen unprecedented growth of its scholarship program, increasing from six scholarships five years ago to the 2020-2021 school year that established 13 new awards.
And despite many obstacles, MHS seniors rose to the challenge and submitted 204 applications from 97 students, where ultimately 28 individuals received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. Two of these students received full-ride scholarships thanks to the generous Steinberg Family who funded two Judy and Eliot Steinberg Scholarships.
“We are incredibly pleased to award 29 scholarships to an outstanding class of students and we applaud their hard work during challenging times,” said Molly Servais, Morris Educational Foundation Scholarship chair and member of the Morris Educational Foundation Board of Trustees.
“Our donors believe in our students and by funding these scholarships, they help them achieve their dreams. We sincerely thank them for their continued support. We are excited to follow our recipients’ paths into college and beyond.”
The Morris Educational Foundation is proud to congratulate the following 2021 Scholarship Recipients:
- Judy and Eliot Steinberg Scholarship – Up to $25,000 annually for 4 years
Presented to Ashley Fernandez and Michael Polania who both plan on continuing their education at The College of New Jersey studying Biology/Pre-med and Astrophysics, respectively.
- Clifford Starrett Scholarship – $80,000 ($20,000 annually renewable for 4 years)
Awarded to Shaheer Aslam who intends to study Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University.
- Clifford Starrett Award – $10,000
Given to Ebubechakwu Ona who will be attending Syracuse University as an Electrical Engineer major.
- The Banky Family Scholarship – $20,000 ($5,000 annually renewable for 4 years)
Presented to Katrina Ora for graduating in the top 20 percent of her class, and will be studying Chemical Engineering at Rutgers University.
- Wong Family Scholarship – $20,000 ($5,000 annually for 4 years)
A merit-based scholarship awarded to Natasha Dhar, the MHS Valedictorian attending the University of California, Berkeley and studying Computer Science.
- George and Michele Becker Scholarship – $12,000 ($3,000 annually for 4 years)
Awarded to Katelyn Augenblick in her pursuit of Biological Sciences at the University of South Carolina.
- Stephen B. Wiley Scholarship – $8,000 ($4,000 annually for 2 years)
Presented to Taylor Olsen for her community-minded leadership both inside and outside of school who plans on attending Louisiana State University.
- Capt. Brian J. McNally USMC Scholarship – $5,000 ($1,000 per year for 3 years and $2,000 for the 4th year)
Given to Karol Bedoya for demonstrating dedicated community service and plans on using her experience to study nursing at Boston College.
- Dorothy F. Johnson Scholarship – $3,500 ($1,750 annually for 2 years)
Awarded to Thomas Mainente who intends to pursue Economics at the University of Pittsburgh.
- Javier Avelar Scholarship – Up to $1,500
Presented to Karolin Caceres Flores, first-generation immigrant student with plans on pursuing Interior Architecture and Design.
Class of ’79 Morris 8 Scholarship – $1,979
Given to Daniela Castillo who will attend County College of Morris as an undeclared major.
- James B. Galbraith, Jr. Scholarship – $1,500
Awarded to Dylan Cornejo who plans on majoring in Plant Biology at Rutgers University.
- Morristown Distinguished Wrestler Scholarship – $1,500
Presented to Eric Jackson who has committed to attend The Ohio State University, majoring in Economics.
- Morristown High School Class of 2020 Resilience Scholarship – $1,500
Awarded to Daneyah Thomas who plans to attend Montclair State University and major in Psychology and English.
- Morris Educational Foundation Scholarship in Honor of Ricky Godoy – $1,500
Presented by Ricky’s Compass Inc. to Aidan Riordan who will attend the College of Charleston as a double major in Economics and Math.
- John T. Cunningham Scholarship – $1,250
Given to Caroline Nicolai as she pursues English as well as Communication and Film Studies at Le Moyne College.
- AT&T Pioneers Scholarship – $1,000
Offered to Alia Masud for her dedication to community service who plans on attending New York University.
- Mary Bentzlin Scholarship – $1,000
Awarded to Sofia Bedoya who will attend Northeastern University with a goal towards public service.
- Bruce Chamberlain Scholarship – $1,000
Presented to Olivia Hornyak, who plans on studying Animal Sciences Pre-Veterinary track at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
- Douenias Family Scholarship for Scholar Athletes – $1,000
Given to Madeline Beavis who will be attending Rutgers University and majoring in Mathematics Education.
- The Ferrara-Myers Grandparents Scholarship – $1,000
Presented to Natali Arredondo who plans on attending Saint Elizabeth University to study nursing.
- Hess-Mulcahy Scholarship – $1,000
Given to Anya Coffeen Vandeven and is pursuing a degree in Biochemistry at the University of Michigan.
- Estelle Walker Hinkins Memorial Scholarship – $1,000
Awarded to Noah Richardson who plans on pursuing a degree in Social Studies Education at Ithaca College.
- William Darell Johnson “Let’s Get It Going!” Memorial Scholarship – $1,000
Presented to Ebubechakwu Ona who will be attending Syracuse University as an Electrical Engineer major.
- Ruth Marantz Cohen French Award – $1,000
Given to Ryan Lynch, a Journalism Major who will attend the University of Georgia.
- Morristown Animal Hospital Animal Welfare Scholarship – $1,000
Awarded to Chloe Saia, committed to attend University of Massachusetts-Amherst as an Animal Science major.
- Coach Gil Shaffer Scholarship – $1,000
Given to Brandon Walker who plans on attending Monmouth University and majoring in Criminal Justice.
- Shirley Shalit Scholarship – $1,000
Presented to Leah Frantz as she pursues Performance Studies at New York University with a minor in Business of Entertainment, Media and Technology and Psychology.
In the Morris Educational Foundation’s 20-year scholarship history, the organization has awarded over $1.5 million in student scholarships. To view the full list of present and past award winners, click here. Families, individuals or organizations interested in donating to or creating a scholarship can learn more by visiting https://www.morrisedfoundation.org/ways-to-give/donate.html.
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 enable 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.
