Courtesy photo
2023 Scholarship Recipients Announced
College Club of Fanwood-Scotch Plains
Celebrating its 90th. Anniversary, the College Club of Fanwood Scotch Plains continues its tradition since its inception in 1933: to support the pursuit of a college education for young women in the Scotch Plains and Fanwood communities by providing scholarships. To date the College Club has awarded approximately $780,000 in scholarships to 582 young women
This past May, the College Club of Fanwood –Scotch Plains awarded a total of $25,500.00 in scholarships to 11 students, 5 of whom are high school seniors who graduated this June and 5 of whom are currently attending college. These awards included a special education award donated in honor of a current College Club Member, Elaine Carmen, The Academic Award of Excellence, and a memorial award in honor of a College Club Past President, Marie Walford as well as the Marie Leppert Community Service Award in honor of the Club’s Past President and dedicated community leader.
The 2023 College recipients are: Tracy Ann Bagdonas, daughter of John and Jean Bagdonas, a rising junior at Fordham University; Riley Dwyer, daughter of Michael and Diane Dwyer, recipient of the Elaine Carmen Education Award who will be a sophomore at TCNJ in the fall; Katelyn Gaulin, daughter of Eric and Karyn Gaulin, a rising sophomore at TCNJ in the fall; Alexis Gutierrez daughter of German Gutierrez and Marguerite Sahaj, who will be a junior at Stony Brook University; and Chloe Howell, daughter of Philip and Holly Howell, recipient of the Marie Walford Memorial Award, wo will be a rising sophomore at The University of San Diego in the fall.
The 2023 High School recipients are: Minahal Azhar, daughter of Azhar Abbas and Tahira Parveen, who will be attending Rutgers University in the fall; Orencia Casimiro, recipient of the Marie Leppert Community Service Award, daughter of Ciro and Jaquelin Casimiro, who will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall; Jessica Gallagher, daughter of Cheryl and Brendon Gallagher, who will be attending TCNJ in the fall; Bridget Hernandez, daughter of Hans and Jennie Hernandez, who will be attending the University of Arizona in the fall; and Natasha Vega daughter of Jose Vega and Jacqueline Soto, who will be attending Case Western Reserve University in the fall.
The Academic Award of Excellence was presented to Riley Bhatia,SPFHS Class Valedictorian, daughter of Julian and Kelly Bhatia, who will be attending Kenyon College on the fall.
This is the 87th year that female students, seeking financial assistance to pursue a four-year college degree, have been helped by the club’s fundraising efforts. Two of the club’s largest efforts are the annual spring luncheon and clothing drive in the fall.
The High School awards were also presented at the SPFHS annual awards assembly.
The College Club hosts monthly informative programs presented by guest speakers on the third Monday of every month September—April; free and open to the public. Anyone interested in more information about the College Club of Fanwood-Scotch Plains or would like to become a member please visit the club’s website at fspcollegeclub.org.
