Nutley High School’s Local Scholarship Night: How You Can Get Involved and Why Scholarships Are So Important

In Nutley, high school seniors have an opportunity to earn scholarships from local donors for their hard work and dedication to their education. The scholarships given are to help seniors “with the cost of tuition and fees for college or post-secondary plans,” says Mrs. Gerckens, the Coordinator of School Counseling here in Nutley. NHS has so much respect for our donors, especially during times like these. Their generosity does not go unnoticed. 

 

During normal circumstances, the ceremony would be held in the auditorium for students, donors and families. The donors, parents, scholarship recipients, and staff would be gathered together to celebrate the recipients. The donors would have a chance to meet their scholarship recipient(s), and the students get to thank them in person. Now, the awards were held indoors in the school gym on June 14, 2021. Only recipients were allowed to attend while donors and parents tuned in online to watch the students receive awards. 

 

Current senior and scholarship recipient Emily Smyth attended the ceremony. She won the Crew Booster Scholarship along with Mark So and the Nutley Irish American Scholarship along with eight others. Winning these scholarships will help “ease the cost of further education and can help with extra expenses not covered in tuition,” says Emily. These other expenses include books, laptops, supplies, etc. Emily Smyth will be attending Rutgers University in New Brunswick this upcoming fall. 

 

Amanda Gibney, also a current senior and scholarship recipient was awarded the Nutley Irish American Scholarship along with eight others and the Washington School PTO scholarship along with four others. She explains how “incredibly grateful” she is for the scholarship donors. With these scholarships, she “will put money towards tuition and help buy books,” says Amanda. Amanda Gibney will be attending Misericordia University in Pennsylvania in the fall.   

 

Both Emily and Amanda, having been awarded with these scholarships, are extremely thankful. They realize how important scholarships are for college or post-secondary education. The money they receive from these scholarships is crucial when it comes to the financial aspect of college. Books and supplies can be extremely expensive when added up, so these scholarships are a tremendous help for them. 

 

Current juniors are interested in scholarship opportunities for next year and some are eager to sign up already. Although juniors are looking into colleges now, they are not quite eligible to sign up for these scholarships just yet. 

 

The process of signing up for scholarships beings in January of senior year. “Once we have all the scholarships for that year, the counselors post them all in Naviance with directions on how to apply,” says Mrs. Gerckens. Once students are able to apply, they will be considered for the scholarship(s). 

 

Local businesses and or willing donors can get involved easily. All they have to do is email Mrs. Gerckens or Mrs. Pasquale, the School Counseling Department secretary, and let them know they would like to become involved. Nutley High School is very grateful for its donors and has nothing but respect for them. Every donor is appreciated. To become a donor, make sure to reach out! 

 

SCHOLARSHIPS AND RECIPIENTS

 

Principal's Distinguished Service Award: Taylor Carnell

 

Salutatorian Award: Anish Kumar and Erin Laney 

 

Valedictorian Award  - The Dr. Eileen L. Poiani Award: Saumya Dwivedi

 

Academic Boosters Club - Chuck Appel Scholarship: Saumya Dwivedi

 

Academic Boosters Club - Dr. James J. Fadule, Jr. Scholarship: Isabella Iodice 

 

Academic Boosters Club - Gisela Widersich Scholarships: Emily Hoffer and Ayman Mahgob

 

American Association of University Women - Nutley Branch Scholarship in Honor of Gilda Schwartz: Faye Smith

 

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 70 - Elizabeth Doefinger Memorial Scholarship: Arianna Roberts

 

American Legion  Auxiliary Unit 70 - Barbara McClintick Memorial Scholarship: Shannon Redstone

 

American Legion Post 70  - Nutley Scholarship in Memory of Frank Marsh: Brandon Borja

 

American Legion Post 70 - Nutley Scholarship in Memory of Robert McClintick: Aiden Hamlin

 

Anne Starace Award for Outstanding Student Pursuing Education: Isabella Iodice

 

Barbara Ann Callahan & Joseph M. Callahan Scholarships: Anna Contini, Sophia Genna, Meghan Macaluso, Amanda McCullough

 

Black Excellence Scholarships: Jordan Greene, Liamarith Gil, Edward Schaefer

 

Brian McGinley Award for Outstanding History Student: Erin Laney

 

Brigadier General John R. Jannarone  Memorial Scholarship: Jolie Corvino

 

Bruce Gallagher Memorial Scholarship: Rianna Sacco

 

David A. Wilson Vocational Technical Scholarships: Emily Hoffer

 

Dolores & Steven Clar Scholarships: Ibrahim Elnaggar and Faye Smith

 

Donald & Janet Gardner Memorial Scholarship: Charles Searle

 

Donna Signorelli Scholarship: Jolie Corvino

 

Dr. Virginius D. Mattia - Public Service Award: Anish Kumar

 

Education Association of Nutley Scholarships: Hanna Algieri, Sofia Caruso, Elizabeth Sorensen

 

Elizabeth Stolfi Award for Outstanding English Student: Isabella Rivera

 

Excellence in Studio Art Scholarship: Meghan Macaluso

 

Filomena Coppola Memorial Scholarship: Mia Eltzholtz

 

Friends of Nutley Singers Scholarships: Emily Ostrowski, Luke Surretsky, Meghan Tran

 

Friends of Nutley Singers:  Raymond Kohere Scholarship: Victoria Alameda

 

Gabriel Clar Medical Training Award: Gabriel Tunnerman and Kimberly Rivera

 

Going Forward Scholarship Fund: Max Martino and Giannah Auremia

 

Gregory Catrambone Leadership Award - Scholarship for Exemplary Leadership & Service: Kaitlin Mui

 

Investors Bank Scholarships: Alvin Briones and Elaine Dong

 

Israel & Celia Sonenshein Memorial Fund Award: Ayman Mahgob

 

Jack Suffren Award for Outstanding Mathematics Student: Meredith Carson

 

James & Joanne Paulson Memorial Scholarship: Ibrahim Elnaggar

 

James V. Tricaricio Memorial Scholarship Award: Maria Rodriguez

 

John H. Walker Foundation Scholarships: Mawutor Fiavey, Max Martino, Alec Nole

 

Jonathan F. Currie Foundation: Alexandra Duffe

 

Kevin Ryan Memorial Cross Country Track & Field Scholarships: Sean Bernardo, Morgan DeFluri, Tiffany Miruelo, Alexandra Wasko

 

Kingsland Manor Scholarship: Madeline Seckler

 

Kiwanis Club of Belleville-Nutley – Frank Pitt Memorial Scholarship: Tyler Chang

 

Lakeland Bank Scholarship: Elijah Campbell

 

Lauren Vitiello-Fazio Memorial Scholarships: Liamarith Gil, Tyler Loch

 

Lincoln School PTO Scholarships: Meredith Carson, Gennaro Longobardi, Mia Portee

 

Lions Club of Nutley: Dr. Robert Levinson Memorial Scholarship: Kimberly Rivera

 

Make an Impact Service Award: Areesha Ahmed

 

Melissa's HOPE Scholarships in Memory of Melissa Ann Centrella: Noor Alalwan

 

Michael D. Reilley Foundation Scholarship: Makenzie Conklin and Gianna Zoppi

 

Michels Family Scholarship: Patrick Campbell

 

Miss Siggy Scholarship: Victoria Alameda

 

Mr. V's Dedication to Music Scholarship: Victoria Alameda

 

Nicastro Gourmet Sauces Scholarship: Matthew Bobadilla

 

Northwest Essex Community Healthcare Network Scholarship: Julia Ciccone

 

Nutley Elks Youth Activities Committee Scholarships: Jason Cabrera, Ibrahim Elnaggar, Angelica Quijada, Nora Janikan

 

Nutley Football Boosters Club Scholarship: Charles Searle

 

Nutley/Columbia Ice Hockey Booster Club Scholarship: Cooper Fojas

 

Nutley High School Crew Booster Association Scholarships: Emily Smyth and Mark So

 

Nutley High School PTO Scholarships: Mia Castro, Tyler Chang, Cooper Fojas

 

Nutley Historical Society – Ann B. Troy/Dr. Robert Heald Memorial Award: Ibrahim Elnaggar

 

Nutley Historical Society – Florence E. Rutan Award: Emily Ostrowski

 

Nutley Historical Society – Royal E. Stager Memorial  Award: Meredith Carson

 

Mr. Michael Gabriele will now present autographed copies of his books:                                               The Nutley Velodrome and The golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey: Jaclyn Magil 

 

Nutley Irish/American Association - Anne P. Keating Scholarship: Amanda McCullough and Matthew McCullough

 

Nutley Irish/American Association - John V. Kelly Scholarship: Anna Contini and Charles Contini

 

Nutley Irish/American Association Scholarships: Gail Baumann, Gerard Bevere, Morgan DeFluri, Amanda Gibney, Aiden Hamlin, Jaclyn Magill, Shannon Redstone, Emily Smyth, Lorianne O'Connor

 

Nutley Jaycees- Thomas Hanlon Scholarship: Charles Searle

 

Nutley Music Boosters Association - Dr. Ernest Ersfeld Music Scholarships: Samantha Daly, Luke Surrestsky, Anna Rabbia

 

Nutley Music Boosters Association – Lester Hrbek Music Scholarships: Victoria Alameda, Meredith Carson, Kirsten Patalinjug

 

Nutley Music Boosters Association – Mc Bride Family Scholarship: Meredith Carson

 

Nutley Parent Advocacy Network Scholarship: Areesha Torres

 

Nutley Rotary Club - Chester H.. Ryan Vocational Craftsman Grant: Gail Baumann

 

Nutley Rotary Club - Joseph Viola Memorial Interact Scholarship: Alexandra Wasko

 

Nutley Rotary Club - Juried Art Exhibition Scholarship: Areesha Ahmed

 

Nutley Rotary Club - Rotary Scholarship for Scholastic Excellence & Community Service: Anna Contini 

 

Nutley Rotary Club - Thomas D’Ambola Memorial Scholarship: Gianna Zoppi

 

Nutley UNICO – Pride in Achievement Scholarship: Kiara Molina

 

Nutley UNICO - Academic Achievement Scholarship: Nina Gencarelli

 

Nutley UNICO - Alfred & Anna Biondi Science Scholarship: Ava Sacchetti

 

Nutley UNICO – Amy Bonadonna Memorial Art Scholarship: Jolie Corvino

 

Nutley UNICO – Angelo M. Arcuti Memorial Grant: Aiden Hamlin

 

Nutley UNICO – Brian Piccolo Scholar Athlete Scholarships: Julia Ciccone and Charles Searle

 

Nutley UNICO - Crupi Family Dog, Cat & Bird Clinic Scholarship: Sofia Caruso 

 

Nutley UNICO – Frank Cocchiola, Sr. Community Service Scholarship: Christopher Carnovale

 

Nutley UNICO – Italian Language Scholarships: Sophia Genna and James Joyce 

 

Nutley UNICO - James J. Piro Law & Community Service School Scholarship: Joseph Bartell

 

Nutley UNICO – John V. Kelly Scholarship: Emily Ostrowski

 

Nutley UNICO – Joseph Battaglia Memorial Scholarship: Gennaro Longobardi

 

Nutley UNICO – Mario DiMaggio Mathematics Scholarship: Luca Vespa

 

Nutley UNICO – Music Scholarship: Luke Surretsky

 

Nutley UNICO – Nanina’s Culinary Arts Scholarship: Rianna Sacco

 

Nutley UNICO – Nicholas Martini Memorial Scholarship: Meghan Macaluso

 

Nutley UNICO - Pennoni Associates - Study of Engineering Scholarship: Meredith Carson

 

Nutley UNICO – Peter Scarpelli Scholarship: Emily Hoffer

 

Nutley UNICO- Ritacco Family Grant: Louis Rafaelli

 

Nutley UNICO – Tina Battaglia Memorial Scholarship: Anna Contini

 

Nutley UNICO – Vocational/Trade Scholarship: Jennifer Sodano

 

Patricia Griffin & Florence Myers Award for Outstanding Student Pursuing Education: Isabella Rivera

 

Philip Remington White Legacy Award: Ibrahim Elnaggar

 

Policemen's Benevolent Association Local #33  Nutley Scholarships: Louis DeLitta, Aiden Hamlin, Louis Rafaelli

 

Radcliffe School PTO Scholarships: Nina Gencarelli and Rebecca Nieves

 

Robert Citrino Memorial Scholarship: Anna Rispoli

 

Scarpelli Civic Association - Peter C. Scarpelli Education Scholarships: Jessica Caraballo and Max Martino

 

Sean Michael Holland Memorial Scholarship: Victoria Alameda

 

Scott Bellucci Dare to Dream Scholarship: Matthew Bobadilla

 

Scott C. DeCarlo Memorial Scholarship: Alexander French

 

Spencer Savings Bank Scholarship: Eyad Ahmad

 

Spring Garden School PTO Scholarships: Saumya Dwivedi, Rianna Sacco, Kayla Vu

 

Third Half Club of Nutley Scholarship: Gianna Zoppi

 

Third Half club of Nutley: Charlie Piro Scholarship: Charles Searle

 

Third Half Club of Nutley: Membership Scholarship: Jake Walsh

 

Third Half Club of Nutley: Vinnie Turtoriello Scholarship: Anna Mathew

 

Thomas McCrohan Award for Outstanding Business Student: Kaitlyn Gavidia

 

Van Riper House Inc. Scholarship: Anish Kumar

 

Washington School PTO Scholarships: Christopher Carnovale, Alexander French, Sophia Genna, Amanda Gibney, Anna Rispoli

 

Yantacaw School PTO Scholarships: Anish Kumar, Emily Ostrowski

 

Graduation Class Speech: Meredith Carson