Manasquan Graduate Gets Scholarship For Organ Donation Advocacy

MANASQUAN – Emily Scranton was first inspired to advocate for organ and tissue donation after her close friend passed away, and his tissue donation helped improve the life of others in need.

Now the NJ Sharing Network, the non-profit, federally designated organ procurement organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue in the state, has awarded scholarships to Scranton and eight other high school graduates for their passion and dedication to raising awareness of organ and tissue donation.

Scranton, a 2020 graduate of Manasquan High School, received a scholarship from the Betsy Niles Scholarship Fund

Scranton has served as president of her school’s Donate Life Club and has spearheaded bake sales, fundraisers and other activities to educate her classmates about donation. Emily plans to attend DeSales University in the Fall.

• Betsy Niles Scholarship Fund – created in memory of Betsy Niles, a children’s book editor and lifelong Montclair resident whose organs were donated in 2011.
• Hearts for Emma Partner Fund – created to celebrate Emma Rothman’s heart transplant and focused on supporting high school education and donation advocacy efforts.
• Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund – created to celebrate Missy Rodriguez’s life-saving liver transplant.
• The NJ Sharing Network Foundation presented additional scholarship awards focused on Newark residents to help raise awareness as there are currently 162 Newark residents waiting for a life-saving organ transplant - the highest in the state.

“We are delighted to provide scholarship support to Emily and all of the amazing students who have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to supporting our life-saving mission,” said Joe Roth, president and CEO of NJ Sharing Network. “We know they will continue to be strong leaders in educating others about donation and transplantation as they move forward to begin college in the Fall.”

NJ Sharing Network’s scholarship program provides an opportunity to recognize and award graduating high school seniors whose lives have been touched by organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Applicants were measured on academic achievement, community and volunteer efforts, extracurricular activities and advocacy for organ and tissue donation. The application process was completed in June, and applications were reviewed by a committee of NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board members and volunteers.

The 2020-2021 scholarship winners are:

• Jessica Buron of Marlboro (2020 graduate of Middletown High School North)
• April Doyle of New Providence (2020 graduate of New Providence High School)
• Morgan Krempasky of Hillsborough (2020 graduate of Hillsborough High School)
• Ruqaiyyah Lucas-Caldwell of Newark (2020 graduate of Newark Academy)
• Kaiel Maynor of Newark (2020 graduate of Science Park High School)
• Elexa Rogolsky of Morganville (2020 graduate of Marlboro High School)
• Tiffany Rolon-Lucas of Woodbridge (2020 graduate of Colonia High School)
• Emily Scranton of Manasquan (2020 graduate of Manasquan High School)
• Sydney Shea of Skillman (2020 graduate of Montgomery High School)