27 Local Grads Honored At Morris Educational Foundation Scholarship Reception

MORRISTOWN, NJ — More than two dozen Morristown High School graduates received scholarships from the Morris Educational Foundation this year, giving them financial support as they continue their academic careers.

The nonprofit presented more than $290,000 scholarships to these 27 students, with the award amounts ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. Seniors had to apply for the awards.

Two students will attend Rutgers University on full-ride scholarships (meaning their tuition, room and board, and other fees are completely paid for) through the Judy and Eliot Steinberg Scholarships, the Foundation said.

The scholarships are funded by individuals and foundations, and a number of donors are graduates of the Morris School District. Many of these awards are named to honor and/or remember alumni, teachers, and families who have made a lasting mark on the school community.

The Morris Educational Foundation (MEF) works with the Morris School District to encourage creative teaching, support student development, and promote partnerships between the community and the schools — and also provided financial resources and student scholarships.

"Thanks to local organizations, alumni and individuals, the MEF can provide support to ease their financial burden while they achieve their dreams in college and beyond," the organization said.

Some scholarships are geared towards students who are pursuing their studies certain fields, and others ask for applicants with outstanding character, achievements in sports or academics, or a commitment to community service. Other scholarships and awards are earmarked for students who come from financially-disadvantaged backgrounds, or are first-generation college students.

Here is the full list of 2024 recipients:

The Javier Avelar Scholarship

• Ana Mejia Mejia - Rutgers University
• Anderson Soriano - New Jersey Institute of Technology

The Banky Family Scholarship

• Mary Gillen - Rutgers University

The Mary Bentzlin Scholarship

• Sarah Bogert - Rutgers University

Bruce Chamberlain Scholarship

• Elizabeth Gillen - Rutgers University

Class of '79 Morris 8 Scholarship

• Hanna Cochran - University of Vermont

Ruth Marantz Cohen French Award

• Elise Hinrichs - Skidmore College

John T. Cunningham Scholarship

• Lilian Crean - Fordham University

Douenias Family Scholarship for Scholar Athletes

• Jonah Gardberg - University of Missouri

The Feldman Family Scholarship

• Ariel Cuyo Verdugo - Montclair State University

The Ferrara-Myers Grandparents Scholarship

• Ana Rivero - Cooper Union

Fraternal Order of Eagles Morristown Airee 1311 Scholarship

• Aidan Clarke - Villanova University

The James B. Galbraith, Jr. Scholarship

• Charlotte Cama - Muhlenberg College

Estelle Walker Hinkins Memorial Scholarship

• Gabrielle Neely - Delaware State University

Hess-Mulcahy Scholarship

• Nathaniel Ross - Virginia Tech

William Darell Johnson "Let's Get It Going!" Memorial Scholarship

• Isaac Litman - University of New Hampshire

Dorothy F. Johnson Scholarship

• Allyson Smith - Villanova University

Captain Brian J. McNally, USMC Scholarship

• Anna Grace Yurek - Fairfield University
• Conor Richardson - Duquesne University

Morristown Distinguished Wrestler Scholarship

• John Myers- University of Virginia

Morristown High School Class of 2020 Resilience Scholarship

• Isabella Eberhart- Montclair State University

Coach Gil Shaffer Scholarship

• Amanda Ramirez - University of Lynchburg

Fred Sporer Scholarship

• Jordan Carrington - University of Rhode Island

The Judy and Eliot Steinberg Scholarship

• Ashley Herrera - Rutgers University
• Kaileen Lazo - Rutgers University

Stephen B. Wiley Scholarship

• Kathryne Morales-Ward- Drew University

Wong Family Scholarship

• Madelyn Funk- Cornell University

Click here to view the full list of recipients.