YMCA Expands Scholarship to All Jersey Shore High School Students

The YMCA of the Jersey Shore invites all high school students from Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean counties to participate in the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest.

Two grand prize winners will receive a $3,000 academic scholarship, sponsored by Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey Natural Gas and PorterPlus Realty. Each winner will also receive a full-year YMCA youth membership of their choice at any of the following Y locations: Red Bank, Freehold, Old Bridge and Ocean County.

Belonging, Youth Development and Social Responsibility

This is the first year the essay contest is open to all high school students in the Jersey Shore area, expanding from Middlesex and Monmouth counties into Ocean County as well. “The Y is a place where every person is welcome,” said the Y’s President and Chief Executive Officer Laurie Goganzer. “It was only logical to apply this principle of belonging to our annual essay contest and expand the eligibility criteria.”

The essay contest is an expression of the Y’s commitment to social justice and youth engagement. This year, participants are asked to reflect on the role social media and technology play in society by responding to the following prompt:

Social media and technology have helped amplify voices for positive and negative social change. How have you seen these platforms affect conversations about respect, understanding and social responsibility in your school or community? How do you use social media to promote positive change, and what can we do to make technology a force for unity?

Essays must be accompanied by a short application which affords each student the opportunity to share information pertaining to sports, hobbies and involvement in community service.

37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Breakfast

The grand prize winners and their parents/guardians will be invited to attend the 37th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at a new location, the Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club in Farmingdale.

The event celebrates the life and work of Dr. King and honors local civic leaders carrying out his mission of social justice. Scholarship recipients will read their winning essay to attendees during the event program.

Featured speaker and children’s book author and playwright Carmen Rubin will deliver the keynote address. In addition, the recipient of a new youth leadership award will be recognized along with the following individuals:

• Human Dignity Award: Beatriz Oesterheld, Executive Director, CARC (Community Affairs Resource Center)
• Community Champion Award: Teena Lomack, Director of Operations, The Feast
• Social Responsibility Award: Grunin Foundation
• Youth Changemaker: Anika Raj

“The new youth leadership award and expanded essay contest allow us to broaden our reach and impact among our local youth,” said Michael A. Wright, chief volunteer officer of the Y and chairperson of the MLK event committee. “The essay contest, in particular, is a chance to inspire high schoolers to pause and think about the positive role they can play in their community and beyond.”

To participate in the contest, applicants must submit their application and essay by 5 p.m., Dec. 5, 2025, to giving@ymcanj.org. Additional eligibility requirements and essay contest application can be found at www.ymcanj.org/mlk.

About YMCA of the Jersey Shore
The YMCA of the Jersey Shore is a cause-driven nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Based in Shrewsbury, NJ, we serve 42,000 people annually in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. From lifesaving swim lessons and child care to mental health support and chronic disease prevention, we offer programs that uplift people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. With a legacy of more than 150 years of service, we’re proud to be named a USA Today Top Workplace for 2025 and Top Workplace in New Jersey 2022-2025 by NJ Advance Media. Learn more at www.ymcanj.org.