The 200 Club of Morris County, an organization of area businesspeople working to support first responders, awarded scholarships to 20 graduating high school seniors. The recipients are all children of police officers, firefighters or emergency medical technicians.
“The 200 Club works hard to support those who keep us safe,” said Lou Nisivoccia, president of the club. “We’re well known for our Valor Awards, given to public safety people who risk their lives, and for the support we give to widows and orphans of those who die in the line of duty. But giving this scholarship is one of the joyful things we do.”
The $5,000 scholarships were won by 20 seniors who demonstrated extraordinary dedication to their studies. To be eligible, students must demonstrate excellence in academic performance, community service and extracurricular activities. Financial need also is taken into consideration.
Winners this year are:
- Farah Randelia, Parsipanny. Public safety affiliation: EMS
- Anastasia M. Bohon, Boonton. Public safety affiliation: fire service
- Elizabeth M. Boyle, Riverdale. Public safety affiliation: fire service
- Eva R. Cavanaugh, Morris Plains. Public safety affiliation: fire service
- Kevin Cortright, Whippany. Public safety affiliation: fire service
- Abigail J. Davidson, Morris Plains. Public safety affiliation: fire service
- Dana N. Demnitz, Morris Plains. Public safety affiliation: police
- Jenna M. DeVincenzo, Caldwell. Public safety affiliation: police
- Kaileigh E. Estler, Morris Plains. Public safety affiliation: fire service
- Nicholas P. Karr, Morris Plains. Public safety affiliation: fire service & EMS
- Patrick A. Kennedy, Hackettstown. Public safety affiliation: police
- Casey Krickus, Long Valley. Public safety affiliation: EMS
- Alexi S. Martin, Oak Ridge. Public safety affiliation: EMS
- John K. McNamara III, Morristown. Public safety affiliation: police
- Kelsey M. Muir, Woodland Park. Public safety affiliation: State Police
- Nicole Pascale, Randolph. Public safety affiliation: police
- Olivia P. Polise, Chatham. Public safety affiliation: EMS
- Hope E. Schwartz, Stanhope. Public safety affiliation: police
- Sarah Serafino, Oak Ridge. Public safety affiliation: EMS
- Andrew Robert Vex, Rockaway. Public safety affiliation: fire service
“The parents of these children put their lives on the line to protect us,” said Nisivoccia. “These scholarships are a way to thank them and to assure that we’ll have well-educated, excellent leaders needed to assure a safe and secure society in the future.”
Winners received their awards Monday, May 11 at the Zeris Inn, Mountain Lakes.
The annual scholarship is open to children with a parent actively serving with or retired from a Morris County police department, fire department, ambulance squad, the New Jersey State Police or as a paramedic with a Morris County-based hospital. Students whose parents are actively serving with a federal or state law enforcement agency also are eligible, as are students who, themselves, volunteer as firefighters or EMTs.
Children may be planning to attend college or post-high school vocational school.
The 200 Club began sponsoring the scholarships in 1982. Since then, hundreds of students have received the awards.
Founded in 1971, the club has distributed more than $4 million in benefits to police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services workers and their families.
Benefits take the form of survivor benefits to the families who have lost a spouse who was a first-responder and scholarships that have been awarded to children of emergency workers in Morris County. The organization also recognizes the valor of local heroes with an annual award program. Information about membership in the 200 Club and its programs is available by calling (732) 279-4258 or by clicking on http://200clubofmorriscounty.com.
