Freeholder Richard D. Gardner, joined by Freeholder Jason J. Sarnoski and Freeholder Director Edward J. Smith, presents a certificate and the 2015 NJAC Foundation scholarship check from Investors Bank to Hannah Quamme of Washington.
Investors Bank through the Investors Foundation awarded the NJAC Foundation a grant of $21,000.00 for county vocational-technical school graduates who plan on continuing their education at a county college or state college or university.
“Investors Bank and Investors Foundation are proud to support the NJAC Foundation,” said Investors Bank President and CEO Kevin Cummings. “NJAC has been integral in providing educational opportunities to so many of our bright students here in New Jersey—work that is vital for the long-term success of our communities. We applaud NJAC and wish the scholarship winners all the best in their future endeavors.”
The Foundation plans to partner with the New Jersey Council of County Vocational Technical Schools to identify potential candidates, and will distribute two $500.00 scholarships to well-deserving students in all twenty-one counties across the State. Since 2011, Investors Bank has awarded the NJAC Foundation grant monies totaling $95,000.00, which has helped an estimated 190 county vocational-technical school students pay for their education.
Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ron Rios presents a certificate and the 2015 NJAC Foundation Scholarship check from Investors Bank to Shakyran Gaskin, who plans to study psychology at Kean University.
“I’m grateful that Investors Bank and the NJAC Foundation have once again partnered on this important and timely initiative to provide county vocational-technical school graduates with valuable scholarships that will help them and their families meet the ever increasing financial demands of pursuing an education,” said NJAC Foundation President Donald De Leo.
The NJAC Foundation is a non-profit organization affiliated with the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC), and is committed to providing innovative educational opportunities for county vocational-technical school and county college students. Please visit our website at www.njac.org for additional details about NJAC and the NJAC Foundation.
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The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders held a NJAC Foundation Scholarship Award Presentation at their August 10th meeting. Carmen Franco and Virginia Cardona were awarded with the NJAC Foundation & Investors Bank Scholarships. They are centered in the picture (from left to right – front) with Essex County Freeholder President Britnee Timberlake, Freeholder Wayne Richardson, Xavier Reyes, NJAC Foundation & PSEG Scholarship Award recipient, Freeholder Patricia Sebold, Freeholder Vice President & NJAC Secretary-Treasurer Brendan Gill, Freeholder Lebby Jones, and NJAC Executive Director John G. Donnadio, Esq.
Carmen is a 2016 graduate of Essex County Vocational Technical Schools – North 13th Street Center, where she participated in all senior committees and competed in Future Business of America and SkillsUSA for three years. She also interned with Panasonic. Carmen intends to study Accounting at Kean University.
Virginia graduated sixth in her class with a grade point average of 3.64 this June from Essex County Vocational Technical Schools – West Caldwell Tech. She is a member of the National Honors Society and participated in academic programs at Rutgers Business Academic in 2015 and ACAP Rutgers Summer Program. Virginia is attending NJIT beginning this Fall to study Engineering Science.
On Tuesday, August 16th, the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders held a special award presentation at the commencement of their meeting. NJAC Foundation and Investors Bank scholarship award recipients, Kurt Tobie and Marie Toussaint, were recognized and presented with their scholarship awards. Marie Toussaint (center – front row) and Kurt Tobie (right – front row) are pictured with the freeholders and Alexa Zaccardi (left – front row), NJAC Foundation & NJM Insurance Group Scholarship award recipient. The proud grandparents of Kurt Tobie were also there to share this moment with him.
Kurt Tobie, a 2016 graduate of Mercer County Technical Schools – Assunpink Center where he dedicated his hard work and studies toward Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Kurt is attending Mercer County Community College this Fall semester to earn his degree in HVAC.
Marie Toussaint, a 2016 graduate of Mercer County Technical Schools – Sypek Center, was the Vice President of her class. She was an honor roll student and won a bronze medal at the SkillsUSA competition. Marie intends to study Business Administration at Rider University.
That same evening, the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders had a special presentation for Melissa Grudic and Johnny Abreu, recipients of the NJAC Foundation and Investors Bank Scholarship. Both are graduates of the Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI) and plan on attending William Paterson University this Fall semester. Melissa ranked 13th in her graduating class of 792. Her grade point average was a 4.24. She studied nursing in the Academy of Medical Arts and participated in numerous clubs at PCTI as well as played golf for the school’s team. Melissa plans on continuing her studies in Nursing. Johnny Abreu participated in the Academy of Finance throughout his career at PCTI, and plans to major in Accounting while at William Paterson University.
Melissa Grudic and her mother are centered in the above left picture holding their Certificates of Recognition. Posing with her (from left to right) are: Freeholder Pat Lepore, Freeholder Terry Duffy, NJAC Executive Director John G. Donnadio, Freeholder Cassandra Lazzara, Freeholder Director Theodore “TJ” Best, Freeholder Bruce James, Freeholder Deputy Director John W. Bartlett, and Freeholder Hector Lora. Photo by Patrick Alexander of Passaic County Public Information Office.
Johnny Abreu and his family are right centered in the above right picture. Posing with him (from left to right) are: Freeholder Pat Lepore, Freeholder Terry Duffy, Freeholder Cassandra Lazzara, NJAC Executive Director John G. Donnadio, the mother of Tania Silva and Tania Silva (NJAC Foundation and PSEG Scholarship Award recipient), Freeholder Director Theodore “TJ” Best, Freeholder Bruce James, Freeholder Deputy Director John W. Bartlett, and Freeholder Hector Lora. Photo by Patrick Alexander of Passaic County Public Information Office.
At the August 17th Gloucester Board of Chosen Freeholders’ Meeting, Kassandra Dobson and Rebecca Kwiecien were awarded NJAC Foundation and Investors Bank Scholarships. Both are of the 2016 graduating class from Gloucester County Institute of Technology. Kassandra studied in the Academy of Engineering, and while there she developed a passion for engineering. She is attending Rowan University where she will major in Chemical Engineering starting this Fall. Rebecca studied in the Academy of Allied Health and Medical Science. She intends to study Biology and Education at Rowan University.
The young women are pictured holding their certificates along with (from left to right) Scott Kintzing and Lora Gessa of Investors Bank, Freeholder Frank DiMarco, Freeholder & NJAC 1st Vice President Heather Simmons, and NJAC Executive Director John G. Donnadio, Esq.
“Thank you for the scholarship! You have no idea how much this helps me and my family.” – Becca Kwiecien
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders were joined by NJAC Legislative Director Allen Weston for the NJAC Foundation and Investors Bank Scholarship Award Presentation on Thursday, August 18th. Arol Jan Millado and Sol Condo both graduated this past June from the Union County Vocational Technical Schools.
Arol Jan Millado welcomes challenges and proved it during his senior year with his Academy of Allied Health Sciences’ courses of advanced science, math, and health sciences. He intends to major in Biomedical Engineering starting this Fall at Rutgers University.
Sol Condo excelled in her academics as well while enrolled at UCTech’s Academy of Performing Arts. She is a member of the National Honors Society and International Thespian Society. Sol begins her studies of Civil Engineering at Kean University this Fall.
Pictured above (from left to right) are NJAC Legislative Director Allen Weston, Freeholder Vernell Wright, Arol Jan Millado, Adrianna Sabat (NJAC Foundation & PSEG Scholarship Award recipient), Sol Condo, and Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. County Manager Al Faella can be seen in the background. Photo by Jim Lowney of Union County.
Also on August 18th, Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders awarded Jessica Saini with the NJAC Foundation and Investors Bank Scholarship. Jessica graduated from Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools with a grade point average of 3.5. She plans on attending Rutgers University to study Science. Jessica is pictured here with Freeholder Director Ronald Rios. Photo by Middlesex County Office of Communication.