Submitted by Carol Lutz
Celebrating its 85th 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 “material aid” by way of scholarships. To date the College Club has awarded approximately $630,000 in scholarships.
This past May, the College Club of Fanwood –Scotch Plains awarded a total of $30,750.00 in scholarships to 12 students, 7 of whom are high school seniors who will graduate this June and 5 of whom are currently attending college.
Among the 2018 high school recipients for academic year 2018-2019 are Olivia Barcia, daughter of Vincent and Michele Barcia, who received $4,000 and will be attending Lafayette College; Pauline Bayotas, daughter of Paolo and Wendy Bayotas, who received $2,500 and will be attending the University of Pittsburgh; Alanna Gaona, daughter of Guido and Julia Gaona, who received $4,000 and will be attending Fairleigh Dickinson University; Isabella Hurtado, daughter of Jim and Anne Marie Hurtado, who received $4,000 and will be attending The Fashion Institute of Technology; Aubrey Johnson, daughter of Richard Johnson and Lisa Fenev, who received $3,500 and will be attending the University of New Hampshire; and Kelly Mehorter, daughter of John and Mary Rose Mehorter, who received $1,500 and will be attending Ithaca College.
Madeline Bord, daughter Meredith and Bruce Bord, the highest-ranking female of the class of 2018 at SPFHS, received an award of $1,000 in recognition of her academic excellence. Madeline will be attending Johns Hopkins University in the fall.
Among the 2018 college recipients for academic year 2018-2019 are: Fizzah Ehsan, daughter of Saeed Alam And Raffat Ayoub, who was awarded the Marie Leppert Scholarship for community service and received $1,500 and will be a sophomore at The College of New Jersey; Jillian Lapidus, daughter of Jack and Cynthia Lapidus, who received $3,500 and will be a junior at Albright College; Elisa Staniec, daughter of George and Lorraine Staniec, who received $1,500 and will be a senior at The Pennsylvania State University; Gabriela MacPherson, daughter of Gordon and Martha MacPherson, who received $3,000 and will be a junior at The College of William and Mary; and Alexis Marta, daughter of Melissa Stryker, who received $750 and will be a sophomore at The College of New Jersey.
This is the 82nd 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 the sale of the community calendar.
A special dinner reception was held for the recipients and their families on Monday, May 21st. Club President Melissa Tice and Scholarship Committee Co- Chairs Tish Isack and Marie Walford made the scholarship presentations at the dinner. Melissa Tice and Tish Isack also presented the High School awards at the SPFHS annual awards assembly.
The College Club hosts monthly informative programs presented by guest speakers on the third Monday of every month from September to May which are free and open to the public at the Fanwood Presbyterian church. 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 www.collegeclubfsp-org.doodlekit.com.
(above) Recipients of the College Club of Fanwood-Scotch Plains’s 82nd year of scholarship awards.
