Courtesy photo
SCC awards $27,000 in Scholarships
The Summit College Club (SCC) gathered for a celebratory occasion: the annual awarding of high school scholarships on June 4, 2023. “It never gets old,” said Lynne Rogerson, SCC president; “this is the happiest day of our year.”
Founded by a Summit High School teacher over a hundred years ago, Summit College Club has awarded more than a million dollars in scholarships since then. In 1935, SCC became a branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), an organization devoted to gender equity in research, education, and advocacy.
Club members had gathered in the sun-filled Lile Hall at Christ Church in Summit along with the six graduating honorees and their proud families. The afternoon began with a glad welcome by Ellie Redington, co-chair of this year’s reception.
Then came the main event: the awards. Members of the SCC Scholarship Committee took turns in describing some of each candidate’s considerable achievements and presenting a certificate, a rose, and a check for $4,500 to each young woman.
The Honorees
Isabelle Embden, a Summit resident who attended Kent Place School, is a first generation American who speaks Spanish fluently. She is president of her school’s Diversity Council, a volunteer ESL tutor for the underprivileged, and a volunteer social media programmer for a Korean-American organization. For the last two summers, Izzy has used her Spanish to teach at a girls’ empowerment camp in Mexico. At Princeton University next fall, Izzy intends to major in political science and possibly pursue a legal career. Ellie Redington presented her with a Summit College Club Merit Scholarship.
Eden Levkov, who also lives in Summit, was awarded the Tilla Thomas Merit Scholarship, which is earmarked for a Summit High School senior who has shown both academic excellence and leadership potential. Eden, who speaks Hebrew and Russian as well as English, participated in a program in medicine at Columbia University, and a two-month leadership academy for women at Babson College. Eden has studied ballet for 10 years and modern dance for 3; she ice-skated competitively for five. She volunteers at food kitchens. Eden plans to major in biology at Gettysburg College next fall. Ellie Redington presented Eden’s award.
Kendall Torres, who lives in Mountainside and attends Governor Livingston High School, received the Kathi C. Madison Scholarship. Kendall is editor-in-chief of her class yearbook, president of the Environmental Club, and VP of the Student Movement Against Cancer. She won the prestigious West Point Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award. Kendall is an active environmentalist at home, at school, and in Berkeley Heights, where she helped convince the Board of Education to institute a sustainability policy. Kendall plans to major in Environmental Studies at Boston College. Barbara Sayres presented Kendall with her award.
Valeria Narvaez, of Chatham High School, won the Mary K. Tennant Scholarship. Teachers praise Valeria’s drive and strong work ethic, her intellectual curiosity and her sense of social responsibility. Valeria is a distinguished AP Scholar and has completed Chatham’s rigorous AP Capstone Program; she accomplished these things while working an outside job for 30 hours a week. The first in her family to attend college, Valeria plans an English major at New York University. Marilynn MacLean, co-chair of the Scholarship Commitee, presented the award.
Brielle Angelson, who lives in Millburn and attends Millburn High School, is a three-season varsity athlete and captain of her varsity softball team. She is the founder and president of her school’s Type One Diabetes Club and has a long list of service activities. Her social studies teacher praise Brielle’s writing, her able and ready participation in class discussions and debates, and her kindness to others. Brielle is headed toward Emory University in the fall, where she plans to study Business and Gender Studies. Kathy Brock presented Brielle with a Summit College Club Merit Scholarship.
Alexandra Munies, a resident of New Providence where she attends New Providence High School, has an unbroken record of As in her courses. Alex, who is interested in mental health, is a founding member of the Wellness Advisory Board at school and helped create the ConnectCare Community, which helps families connect with their elderly relatives online. During the pandemic, Alex also founded an artisan bread business that baked and delivered bread to 25 local families. They are still active customers. At school, Alex has captained the golf team and JV tennis team. Alex will attend Case Western Reserve University in the fall to study Psychology, Women and Gender Studies. Barbara Sayres presented Alex with a Summit College Club Merit Scholarship.
Once the awards had been given, two of last year’s awardees, Crystal Jong and Lara Cota, each spoke briefly. Crystal and Lara talked about their freshman experiences at college, Crystal at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Lara at the University of Pennsylvania.
Finally, Summit College Club member Leslie Carson gave a description of an exciting AAUW initiative, an annual four-day leadership conference that draws hundreds of college women nationally. The 2023 SCC winners, she said, would be eligible to take part in the spring of 2024, and Summit College Club was eager to facilitate and sponsor them.
Refreshments and photos, and lively conversation followed as the students, their families, and club members chatted happily with one another.
