Chamber scholarships say: 'We believe in you'
EMACC recognizes nontraditional students' paths
BY GLORIA STRAVELLI
Staff Writer

RED BANK - - Getting an education is the surest way to secure a bright future in the eyes of Florence Forgotsen.

The diminutive nonagenarian should know. Her pioneering law degree was the portal to a career whose highlights included being the first female member of the Monmouth County Bar Association.

That is why Forgotsen, who at 99 still puts in several days a week at her Red Bank law office, is a supporter of the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce Educational Foundation's scholarship program geared to nontraditional students.

"These are people going back to school because they want to very badly," Forgotsen said recently. "It feels good to help somebody who needs help. It tells them somebody has faith in them pursuing their dreams.

"Life is more difficult today and you have to have an education," she continued. "It used to be only the man did, now women play a similar role and they have to have similar training. Education is key to a good life for their families, too. "

PHOTOSBY GLORIASTRAVELLI Above, Florence Forgotsen poses with recipients of 2007 scholarships awarded by the Educational Foundation of the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce and chamber officials. Below, Forgotsen, a charter member of the EMACC and a supporter of the scholarships, talks with recipient Lisa LaMana.

A founder and member of the chamber for 76 years, Forgotsen has supported the education foundation with financial contributions for the past three years. In recognition, the chamber established the Forgotsen Scholarship. As she has done for the past three years, Forgotsen chose one recipient to receive an additional $1,250. This year, the Forgotsen Scholarship was awarded to Fayth Newell, who is pursuing a degree in accounting.

"People still don't think that women need to be as well educated as men even though they have to do the same jobs. I wanted to give her a chance; there are prejudices against women in certain fields still. And it would make a difference in her life and that of her child."

A dozen deserving nontraditional students were presented $1,250 scholarships by the educational foundation at a June 20 ceremony held at Forgotsen's home with the Navesink River as a backdrop.

The recipients include six adults returning to college and six students entering their junior or senior year.

Scholarship recipients are: Mary Ellen Banfield, Red Bank; Kristin Brush, Shrewsbury; Patricia Conley, Shrewsbury; Amanda Featherman, Middletown; Janis Grundmann, Leonardo;

Also, Deborah Horan, Tinton Falls; Lisa Horan, Tinton Falls; Sarah Kniesler, Fair Haven; Lisa LaMana, Tinton Falls; Deborah Lyons, Middletown; Eric Morley, Oceanport; and Newell, Neptune City.

Each recipient has a unique story, a firm resolve to achieve a college education and, invariably, is committed to giving back to the community.

"It's helping one person who will help a lot of others," observed Forgotsen.

The education foundation scholarships are unique in that they are earmarked for students who, for various reasons, are not following the traditional path from high school to college and therefore may not have access to the funds available to traditional high school graduates.

To qualify, applicants must fall into one of three categories: a college student entering junior or senior year; an adult returning to college whose education has been interrupted; a vocational student pursuing post-high school vocational education.

Each scholarship recipient has a unique story. Most hold down full-time jobs while pursuing studies, some are caregivers, some are raising families, several have overcome significant personal hardships including chronic illness and homelessness to go on to pursue higher education.

Chamber member Mariella Osorio attended the ceremony for the first time. Owner of Translatino Services, Long Branch, she came to show her support for the recipients and to affirm their paths.

"I was a nontraditional student myself," she said. "A single mom, and after a divorce, I decided to pursue a degree. I completed it and moved to New Jersey. It's been a wonderful experience because of my educational background. I graduated and started my own business. So this is imperative to be successful in life, to achieve the 'American dream.' "

Like most scholarship recipients, LaMana said the awards represent much more than a financial windfall.

A returning student, her experience working with cancer and HIV/AIDS patients inspired a career path as a social worker.

"The scholarship will help me take classes I need," explained LaMana, a single mother. "It's $1,200, yes, but it's also the recognition, the acknowledgment of the hard work. If I can help my daughter, she's 9, see that people are recognizing it. It's hard work, but someone said, 'Wow, this is really great.' "

Deborah and Lisa Horan represent a first for the scholarships - the first time awardees have included a mother and daughter.

Deborah, who is pursuing a master's degree in social work, received the scholarship award for the fourth year while Lisa is a first-time recipient who is pursuing a career as a teacher of the deaf.

"It's helped me out tremendously financially," said Deborah, "because we had kids in college. So I'm very grateful to the foundation for awarding me the scholarship for four years. "I'm very blessed to have them have faith in me to accomplish my dreams."

Second-year recipient Kristin Brush is pursuing a career as an elementary school teacher. Following high school, her studies were postponed by chronic illness.

"So the scholarship is not only encouragement, but one less obstacle," said Kristin, who has gradually built up her course load. "The continuing support is really important. It's not only steady financial help, but steady encouragement. People are there rooting for me, saying, 'We believe in you and will continue to believe in you.'"

Over the past eight years, the EMACC Educational Foundation has awarded more than $84,000 in scholarships. Fundraising for the scholarship program is made possible through the silent auction held at the chamber's Spinnaker Awards dinner held in November, donations from individual chamber members and the Forgotsen Foundation.

Applications for the 2008 EMACC Educational Foundation scholarship will be available in February with a deadline of May 1.

Founded in 1928, the EMACC serves the communities of Eatontown, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Fort Monmouth, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls. For more information, visit www.emacc.org.