Submitted by Eileen Ryan
The Thursday Morning Club’s Education Committee, chaired by Cathy Gotliffe, had a very busy and productive 2017-2018 academic year selecting, honoring and funding seven initiatives for students from sixth grade through high school.
The year began with the Scholarship Social and Game Day on Thursday, January 25. The event honored the recipients of the 2017 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) and Girls’ Career Institute (GCI) Scholarships, which sponsors students at multi-day institutes at Kean University (HOBY) and Douglass College (GCI). The 2017 HOBY recipient, Logan Sabol, and the 2017 GCI recipient, De’nai Simms of Burlington Township High School, were honored by the TMC at the Scholarship Social event. Both students considered their experiences to be life-changing events, and thanked the Thursday Morning Club (TMC) for their support.
The Education Committee extends sincere thanks to all those who attended, and to those who volunteered their time before, during and after the function to make it fun for all while generating funds for these institutes, as well as scholarships for Madison Junior School students and the winners of the Memorial Day Patriotic Contests. The profits from the event were sufficient to cover our seven scholarships in 2018.
This year, TMC sponsored Marisa Papa, a MHS junior, to attend the HOBY seminar held from June 8-10, 2018 at Kean University.
Two students from Benedictine Academy, Molly Burke and Christina Altamirano, were sponsored to go to this year’s GCI. On May 20, both students and their parents attended the Girls’ Career Institute Orientation/Reception held in Succasunna, and on June 4-7 Molly and Christina both attended the GCI at Douglass College.
In conjunction with the Madison Patriotic Celebrations Committee, the Thursday Morning Club sponsored three Madison students who received awards on Monday, May 28, 2018. At a formal ceremony at Borough Hall on Memorial Day, Mayor Robert Conley, TMC Public Issues Chair Anne Lawless, and Carmela Vitale presented Certificates of Achievement and $50 gift cards to the three winners selected for their outstanding work in three different genres: Daphne Rodas, art winner; Maggie Kim, essay winner; Sam Cohen, poetry winner.
TMC also sponsored two awards presented to two special needs students in Madison Junior School. These students were selected by the school based on exceptional dedication, attendance, participation and performance. Dr. Louis Caruso, the principal, facilitated the selection of the students. The awards included a framed certificate of achievement and a $50 gift card. On June 14 Carol Schessler, TMC President, spoke at the MJS assembly and presented the award for most improved seventh grader to Ben Preston. Carol noted that Ben received a “loud and spontaneous applause.” The most improved sixth grader award was presented to Mia McSherry.
About the Thursday Morning Club
Organized in 1896, the Thursday Morning Club owns, operates and maintains the Madison Community House with its Community House Nursery School and Before and After School Child Care program. It is a Member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) and the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC). The club offers programs and services to support the community, and its Community House provides a home for a number of sports, recreation and civic groups. The Thursday Morning Club is a non-profit service organization with over 260 members whose goal is to provide services for the town of Madison and neighboring communities.
(above, pictured l-r) Winners of Madison’s Memorial Day Awards Maggie Kim, Sam Cohen, Daphne Rodas pictured with Anne Lawless (back row), TMC Chair, Public Issues.
