Community support, not $$, is what it’s all about

Florence Forgotson (center) stands among recipients of the 2005 Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce (EMACC) Educational Foundation Scholarships. RED BANK — Most scholarship awards are about the money. But a unique program sponsored by the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce (EMACC) is all about helping nontraditional students achieve educational goals that enrich not only their own lives, but the community as well.

“When we started, we had in mind that we wanted to especially identify, assist and support what we call the nontraditional student who typically doesn’t have access to the funds more traditional high school students have,” said Linda Milstein, chairwoman of the EMACC Educational Foundation.

“We have heard back from recipients through letters and notes they write to let us know how supported they have felt,” she said. “That the money has helped them very directly with the cost of tuition and books, and the support of a group of people that don’t even know them is such a boost to their sense of confidence — and that there were people out there who believed in them.”

“The scholarship program is absolutely meeting our goals. I have no doubt that they their educational path is helped, and the community is richer, no doubt, as a result. Everything we hoped when we got started is absolutely getting recognized,” said Milstein, who also is vice president of outreach, business and community development at Brookdale Community College.

And the foundation’s commitment is long-term. This year, $10,000 was awarded in nine scholarships to six repeat and three first-time awardees. The EMACC Educational Foundation has awarded $53,000 in scholarships to nontraditional students since the program began in 1999.

To qualify for an EMACC Educational Foundation scholarship, awardees must fall into one of three categories: a college student entering junior or senior year who is in need of help to complete their degree; a returning student, defined as a student whose education has been interrupted and who will be at least 25 years old at the start of the school year; a vocational student pursuing post high school vocational education.

Additionally, winners most live or work within the EMACC service area, which includes Eatontown, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Fort Monmouth, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls.

Scholarship recipients for 2005 are: Nicholas Bianchini, Eatontown; Kevin Hall, Red Bank; Emily Hayes, Little Silver; Deborah Horan, Tinton Falls; Krista Keleigh, Point Pleasant; Dana Tango, Eatontown; Brianna Tenebruso, Red Bank, Julie Villa, Eatontown, and Kaitlin Wolkom, Rumson.

“In the grand scheme of things $1,000 may not be a lot of money to some people, but this is the first scholarship I’ve ever gotten, the very first,” said first-time recipient Villa. “It’s kind of like a big deal to me. It’s not just the money —it definitely helps — don’t get me wrong.

“You send out applications, and when you finally get recognized, you say, ‘Wow! They’re really reading my letter.’ ”

Villa is about halfway through studies toward a nursing degree at Brookdale Community College and expects to graduate in 2006.

”I’ve been enrolled, on and off, for 20 years,” she said, adding that a lot of factors had a part in prolonging her educational path including switching degrees and family obligations.

“I think it’s actually better because I’m appreciating it more as an adult than when I was younger,” said Villa, the mother of three daughters. “I’ve already done the on the job training. My goal is to graduate before I turn 40.”

Bianchini echoed her sentiments.

Every little bit counts,” he said. “Even the $1,000 is a lot to me. I value and appreciate the award.”

A freshman at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, Bianchini is a graduate of the Monmouth County Vocational School District’s law enforcement program and plans to study criminal justice to prepare him for a career path he has already plotted out.

“I want to start out as a community police officer, then move up. My main goal is to become a U.S. marshal in charge of asset seizure and forfeiture,” he said.

“The foundation’s support has been very validating for continuing on this path,” said third-year recipient Hall. “It’s difficult because I work full time, I’m married, have a son. It’s very validating that the whole community is behind you. They give you a check, have a little party; it’s having the community behind you as much as the money.

“I had a good idea and a lot of people are saying it is a good idea,” said Hall, who is completing studies for a degree in human services and plans to teach grade school. He is already getting experience as a substitute teacher. “I freed up my schedule and I work 40 hours, and it’s a joy,” he said.

In sifting through applications, the foundation’s scholarship committee has found that nontraditional students often are balancing the multiple demands of education and family responsibilities, Milstein said, and still find time to contribute to their communities.

“Most are working and going to school. Many have families, are really juggling a lot and have tremendous commitment to their education, and the more we can help them, the better it is. We [the scholarship committee] feel so in awe of the accomplishments of these people and everything they manage to fit into their lives.

“One of the requirements of the scholarship is that they show that they do volunteer work in the community. Typically, they are modest about their accomplishments. Often we find out more about their contributions from the letters of recommendation,” she continued.

“We feel very grateful that we can be involved in helping them in some way. The time we put in winds up being so inspiring for us. When we get to meet them in person, it’s just great.”

This year, the scholarship committee had an easier job of choosing among the applicants, thanks to the financial support of a local foundation established by longtime chamber member Dr. Florence Forgotson.

Forgotson, a Red Bank attorney, was the first female member of the Monmouth County Bar Association. The awards ceremony was held at her home last month.

“This year we were very fortunate that the Florence Forgotson Foundation supported us,” Milstein said. “The financial support enabled us to distribute $10,000 this year.

Because of the foundation’s sponsorship, Milstein said, “we found we could give scholarships to pretty much everyone who sought one. In the past, it’s been difficult because there are so many worthy people. One of the things we find very difficult is choosing among them.”

The foundation’s support means that next year the committee will be able to award more scholarships, she said.

Until now, the chamber’s major fund-raiser for the scholarships has been the Spinnaker Awards dinner held in the fall.

The committee considered upping the amount of the scholarships by cutting back on the number awarded, but found that the amount of the awards is secondary. It’s the implicit message that counts.

“We asked former recipients, and they responded and told us uniformly that it was more important to give out more scholarships than to give out more money. The $1,000 definitely helps, they said, but what is really valuable is being supported.”