2023-2024
AAUW-Lew Williams & Joan Odud Scholarship
(Formerly the Lew Williams & Leila Sulkes Scholarship)
The 2023-2024 Scholarship
BIO
Maria Ciaravino is excited to accept the Lew Williams and Joan Odud scholarship for 2023-2024 as she pursues her doctorate in literature and writing from Drew University. Maria has been teaching English at Matawan Regional High School for 19 years and was named teacher of the year in 2021. She believes that in order to create lifelong readers, students must feel represented and connected to the literature they read which is why Maria is committed to bringing her students literature that represents their diversity and has worked tirelessly to add previously marginalized voices to the district curriculum. As the daughter of immigrants, Maria has overcome many obstacles in her quest for education and hopes her accomplishments will continue to inspire her students to believe in themselves. When not teaching or attending classes, Maria enjoys spending time with her husband and two stepdaughters whose support has been integral in her educational journey.
2023 AWARDS
The Outstanding High School Students’ Awards
(AAUW-Rose Fishkin Memorial Award for Academic Excellence)
were awarded at our May Branch Meeting
on May 11, 2023 – 7 PM
Freehold Township HS: Camryn Bartone
2022-2023
AAUW-Lew Williams & Joan Odud Scholarship
(Formerly the Lew Williams & Leila Sulkes Scholarship)
Scholarship Winners
Two scholarships were awarded, to two women: Lori Bivona and Nicole Galante, both of Freehold, NJ. Lori is pursuing a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations. Nicole is going for a Master’s in Teaching Education Grades K-12 at Georgian Court University. Congratulations to them both!
BIOs
Lori Bivona
Lori Bivona is honored to be a recipient of the Lew Williams and Joan Odud scholarship. Lori will be attending Rutgers this Fall, pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Labor and Employment Relations. She works for the Township of East Windsor as the Planning & Zoning Board Secretary, where she supports land use and development. Working in local government has given Lori the opportunity to study local land use law and help residents and developers navigate local ordinance and application hearings. Going back to school to complete her degree has been a lifetime goal and studying gender equality for women is a core component of her degree focus. Lori gratefully advances forward with this new challenge keeping the mission of the Freehold AAUW close at heart.
Nicole Galante
My name is Nicole Galante and I am a returning college student at Georgian Court University. In December of 2021 I graduated with my Bachelor’s in English, and I am currently working on my Master’s in Education. I am passionate about teaching and looking forward to a life-long journey of learning with all my future colleges and students. My goal is to teach students skills to help them achieve their passions and dreams. The skills I learned over the years helped me become a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and a member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society. I value and practice Georgian Court University’s mercy core values; respect, integrity, justice, compassion, and service. My happy place is at the beach, I love spending time with my family, and my favorite accessory to wear is a smile!
SPRING 2022
AAUW-Leila Sulkes Memorial Scholarship
The winner is chosen by the financial aid office at Brookdale Community College (BCC) and the $1000 scholarship is awarded annually.
AWARD RECIPIENT
Elise Miedwig
Thank You Letter
Elise, who is also paying for her education entirely by herself, is studying at Brookdale towards her plans of obtaining a degree in ecology to further a career with the National Park Service, or some other organization with a focus on caring for and preserving the natural world.
2022 AWARDS
The Outstanding High School Students’ Awards
AAUW-Rose Fishkin Memorial Award for Academic Excellence
were awarded at our May Branch Meeting
on May 12, 2022 – 7 PM
Melaina Moy (Freehold HS) is honored to be a recipient of the Rose Fishkin Award. Melaina will be attending Barnard College of Columbia University in the fall, where she plans to major in economic and social history with a possible minor in political science. She hopes to combine her interests in economics, history, and politics to eventually pursue a career in either law or public policy. At Freehold High School, she is currently involved in the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society, as well as clubs such as student council and science league. She is also passionate about the issue of gender-based violence and participates in initiatives to assist survivors of domestic abuse. 
Nicole Radchenko (Freehold Township HS) thanks AAUW Freehold Branch for winning the Rose Fishkin Award! Nicole is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme candidate at Freehold Township High School. She has dedicated the last three years of her high school career to Forensics, competing on a local and national scale as the current President of their team. Her future plans are to attend Northwestern University on a full ride from Questbridge as a biological sciences major with a concentration in human health and disease on a pre-med track.
Mia Kouveliotes (Howell HS) is beyond honored and thankful to receive this award, and is very grateful that a program such as this exists to empower young women! Mia is graduating from the Scholars’ Center for the Humanities at Howell High School, where she has spent the last four years delving into classic literature, history, philosophy, and culture. Outside of the classroom, Mia is passionate about writing, theater, community service, and mental health advocacy. She is on the Event Leadership Team of Howell Relay For Life, as well as regional and national volunteer teams for the American Cancer Society. She also serves as the Co-President of HHS JSA, Vice President of HHS DECA, Student Council Vice President, and is an intern for the Youth Mental Health Project, a non-profit dedicated to youth mental health education and support. Next year, She will be attending Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in Psychological & Brain Sciences and minoring in Medical Humanities!
Courtney Butash (Manalapan HS) is honored to win such a prestigious award. As a student in the Freehold Regional High School District’s Science and Engineering Magnet Program at Manalapan High School, Courtney Butash’s academic journey has included many ups and downs. She entered high school thinking that she was going to crumble under the weight of rigorous classes and extracurricular activities. However, she took every challenge she was faced with freshman year in full stride, managing to maintain good grades while earning varsity letters in three sports, playing club soccer, and participating in multiple school-organized clubs. Her confidence carried her into success at the beginning of her sophomore year until school shut down due to COVID. After a tough junior year of hybrid learning and intermittent extracurriculars, senior year returned in full swing, allowing her to fully develop the best version of herself. As a senior, she hasn’t let up in either her grades nor her extracurricular activities; She is a three-season varsity captain in soccer, basketball, and track & field, secretary of NHS, and a member of both Math Honor Society and Science Olympiad, all while continuing to pursue academic excellence in challenging classes. Throughout her entire high school career, she has also participated in community service by helping to organize and run an annual Thanksgiving Basket Food Drive and volunteering as an assistant basketball coach. She has appreciated every opportunity to not only contribute to my own success, but also contribute to my community. In the fall, she will be attending Duke University, intending on majoring in Biomedical Engineering, and she is incredibly excited to see where her work ethic and drive will carry her in the future.
Emily Gao (Marlboro HS) is so grateful to receive this award! As a graduating senior from Marlboro High School, Emily has taken a diverse set of challenging and engaging courses ranging from the humanities to science. To further explore her interest in STEM, Emily has conducted numerous research projects in areas like deep learning and biometrics, and has shared her findings at various presentations. Outside the classroom, Emily is part of Marlboro High School’s Swimming and Golf Team, as well as president of the Technology and Student Association Club. She is also passionate about music and singing, taking part in multiple choirs and solo vocal events. Finally, Emily is actively involved in community service and volunteering, such as being an active cadet at the Morganville First Aid Squad. Next year, she will be attending Harvard University, studying computer science.
2021-2022
(No Awards were presented for this year)
2020 – 2021
The Freehold Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) presented the AAUW-Lew Williams & Joan Odud Scholarship to:
Alissa Perri (Marlboro)
- George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs – Master’s in International Science and Technology
2021 AWARDS
The Outstanding High School Students’ Awards
AAUW-Rose Fishkin Memorial Award for Academic Excellence
were awarded at our May Branch Meeting on Zoom
May 13, 2021 – 7 PM
Catherine Antonelli expressed that she is deeply honored to have been selected as one of the recipients of the Rose Fishkin Academic Excellence Award. Admitted into the Law and Public Service Learning Center at Colts Neck High School, Catherine Antonelli spent much of my high school career studying literature, history, and government — but not without venturing into other subjects, such as environmental science and psychology, on her my own volition. She considers herself a generalist who enjoys synthesizing a wide array of topics into a coherent whole (e.g. by assessing the environmental influences of colonialism as both a material and an ideological force). She plans to attend The University of Chicago in the fall, pursuing a double major in English and History.
Aastha Kapadia thanked AAUW Freehold Area Branch for the opportunity to be Freehold High School’s recipient of the Rose Fishkin award. Aastha’s plans include attending Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland in their Biomedical Engineering program on a premed track. She recently finished an initial EMT certification course and while at Hopkins, hopes to continue as an EMT. She also plans on going to medical school one day.
Brianna Przywozny is a senior at Freehold Township High School. She is in her school’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which is a two-year collaborative program that provides a global context to the typical high school curriculum and prepares students for higher education. She has been on her school’s track and field team for the entirety of her high school career and is involved in a variety of clubs, including Students Helping Honduras, for which she coordinated a clothing drive fundraiser, earlier this year. She is in the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Math Honor Society. Because of her experience in classes such as IB Biology and IB Design Technology, she decided to pursue a major in biomedical engineering, and she will be studying at Boston University in the fall.
Morgan Burger thanked AAUW for this amazing opportunity and congratulated her fellow recipients. Morgan attends Howell High School, where she is enrolled in the Scholar’s Center for Humanities. In her free time, she enjoys staying active in her community. She is the National Honor Society President, the Student Council Treasurer, and the co-leader of a club called Relay For Life, which raises money for the American Cancer Society. She also play varsity tennis and lacrosse. Next year, she will be attending the University of Miami with the Presidential Scholarship. She plans to major in biochemistry on the pre-med track, with dreams of becoming a dermatologist and opening up her own practice one day. 
Deanne DeCarlo is extremely grateful for her high school experiences as they have molded her academic and personal interests and prepared her for the next four years in college. She has been a member of Junior State of America since her freshman year where she has participated in political discourse with her peers and has helped organize meetings and fundraisers as a board member. She has also been a member of Freethinkers Society, a philosophy club, for the past four years. In the beginning of her junior year, she collaborated with a few other students to establish a UNICEF chapter for Manalapan High School which raises funds for humanitarian aid. She is also Vice President of Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society) and is a member of Rho Kappa (social studies honor society), Spanish Honor Society, and National Honor Society. Her current academic plan is to attend law school. She has explored her interest in law over the past few summers as a student at JSA Summer School at Princeton University and as an intern for a real estate attorney. This fall, she will be attending Yale University on a pre-law track and possibly concentrating in mathematics with a minor in political science, economics, or philosophy.
Alyssa Nath is honored to represent Marlboro High School as the recipient of the Rose Fishkin Academic Excellence Award. At Marlboro High School, she has been able to explore an array of my academic interests through the many different classes offered, as well as through the excellent clubs. Both have led her to her passion of pursuing a career in business with a specialization in consulting or social change entrepreneurship. This fall, she will be attending The Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She is thankful for all of the opportunities that Marlboro High School and the Freehold Regional High School District have provided her, and is excited for the opportunities to come. She thanks the American Association of University Women for this great honor and for supporting the education of young women like herself.
FALL 2020
AAUW-Leila Sulkes Memorial Scholarship
Award Recipient
Aleia Dean
Aleia is a sophomore at Brookdale and is enrolled in their nursing program. She is paying for her education entirely by herself so this scholarship is certainly appreciated.
2020 AWARDS
AAUW-Rose Fishkin Memorial Award for Academic Excellence
were awarded in May, 2020
which are normally given at our May Branch Meeting
were sent to the recipients via US Mail
The six amazing young ladies were selected by their high school guidance departments as the top female graduating student in their class. They represent each of the high schools in the Freehold Regional School District.
Alexandria Lynn Henderson – Colts Neck HS
Sophia Hsueh – Freehold HS
Isabelle Abreo – Freehold Township HS
Samantha Borenstein – Howell HS
Kaitlyn Smith – Manalapan HS
Hailey Steinberg – Marlboro HS
These young ladies have presented their incredible accomplishments in academics as well as extracurricular activities. Their volunteer work in the community is truly commendable.
AAUW Freehold Branch wishes these fine women much success in their future endeavors.
We know they will succeed!
Terri Hicks
Rose Fishkin High School Awards Chair
2019 – 2020 SCHOLARSHIPS
The Lew Williams & Leila Sulkes Scholarship
(Renamed the AAUW-Lew Williams & Joan Odud Scholarship in 2020-2021)
The Freehold Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) presented the Lew Williams and Leila Sulkes scholarships to two local women.
Jamie Petrick of Marlboro, is pursuing a Masters in Administration and Leadership at Georgian Court University. She is a speech language specialist in the Howell public school system, and in a private agency seeing children with disabilities, as well as a speech language pathologist for children at CentraState.
Andrea Zacharias of Howell, is currently a graduate student at Lamar University in Beaumont Texas, studying Counseling and Development. She is a Spanish teacher in the Freehold Regional High School District.
The AAUW members thank area residents and visitors for their continued support of the organization’s annual June book sale which funds the yearly scholars
2019 SCHOLARSHIPS
The Outstanding High School Students’ Awards
AAUW-Rose Fishkin Memorial Award for Academic Excellence
were awarded at our Branch meeting on May 9, 2019
Our AAUW Branch Honors the 2019 Award Recipients
The six amazing young ladies were selected by their high school guidance departments as the top female graduating student in their class. They represent each of the high schools in the Freehold Regional School District.
Jessica Mena – Colts Neck HS
Erika Tan – Freehold Boro HS
Stephanie Appow – Freehold Township HS
Kayla Laufer – Howell HS (Could not attend award presentation)
Elizabeth Garcia – Manalapan HS
Preanka Pillai – Marlboro HS
These young ladies have presented their incredible accomplishments in academics as well as extracurricular activities. Their volunteer work in the community is truly commendable.
AAUW Freehold Branch wishes these fine women much success in their future endeavors.
We know they will succeed!
Sheila Menendez
Rose Fishkin High School Awards Coordinator
See Pictures and Videos!
2018-2019
2018-2019 Lew Williams and Leila Sulkes Scholarship Winners
(Renamed the AAUW-Lew Williams & Joan Odud Scholarship in 2020-2021)
Kathy Cortes, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, presented the 2018-2019 Lew Wallace and Leila Sulkes scholarships to two local women of outstanding ability: Michelle Malinowski of Manalapan, NJ and Tia Ryans, of Howell, NJ.
Both scholarship winners are students at Rutgers University. Both have shown a deep-seated desire to take what they have learned and bring it into the world to benefit others.
Michelle Malinowski is pursuing a Master of Public Health in epidemiology at Rutgers School of Public Health. She also works for Easter Seals of New Jersey as a service coach in behavioral health. One of her references said: “She has demonstrated true professionalism and has shown dedication and compassion toward our consumers here at Easter Seals.” She wants to do research in either cancer or psychiatric epidemiology and would like to work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Michelle would like to see more women go into STEM fields and credits her father’s encouraging her interest in science from an early age.
Tia Ryans is studying for a bachelor’s degree in Political Science/Sociology at Rutgers Newark College of Arts and Sciences. She has recently worked as an intern in Criminal Justice Strategic Communications for FWD.us in Washington D.C., where she provided resources to local organizations pursuing immigration and criminal justice reform. She founded a non-profit organization called FORTE (Forcing Out Recidivism Through Education), which helps formerly incarcerated students transition to post-secondary education. Tia volunteers for Hope Love and Kindness Crisis Intervention, which serves Essex County NJ with workshops for personal growth, ethical judgment and self reflection. One of her references there compares her with some of the best counselors and facilitators in the field that she has ever seen: “a rare and gifted young lady.”
2018
The Outstanding High School Students’ Awards
AAUW-Rose Fishkin Memorial Award for Academic Excellence
were awarded at our Branch meeting on May 10, 2018
Our AAUW Branch Honors the 2018 Award Recipients
The six outstanding young women who received this award are:
Kristen Gambardella – Colts Neck H.S.
Tara McDonald – Freehold Boro H.S.
Maha L. Khan – Freehold Township H.S.
Sara Recarey – Howell H.S.
Ellie Gabriel – Manalapan H.S.
Shreya Nara – Marlboro H.S.
Ellie Gabriel – Manalapan H.S.
L to R: Tara McDonald, Maha L Khan and Kristen Gambardella
See Pictures!
2017-2018
The Lew Williams & Leila Sulkes Scholarship Awards
(Renamed the AAUW-Lew Williams & Joan Odud Scholarship in 2020-2021)
2017-2018 Lew Williams and Leila Sulkes Scholarship Winners
For the 2017-2018 academic year, the Freehold Area Branch of AAUW awarded three scholarships!
The Awards for the 2017-2018 academic year were announced at our September, 2017 Branch Meeting.
Susan Hughes, Chair of the Scholarship Committee presented the Lew Williams & Leila Sulkes Scholarship Awards to three women of exceptional ability. Susan thanked the Board for agreeing to three scholarships this year; she thanked the Scholarship Committee for their input on selecting this year’s winners; and introduced the new Chair, Kathy Cortes.
Susan said what an honor it has been to introduce the Scholarship Winners, and be able to provide three $2000 awards this year. The winners had much in common: they give back to the community, they are passionate about their careers, they are teachers, one and all they love children, and care about society and the world.
See Pictures!
From left to right: Lesley Saunders, Jessica Grill & Amber Williams
Lesley Saunders is an undergraduate student at Georgian Court University working towards her Bachelors in English with a Teaching Certificate for K through 6, including teaching students with disabilities, and Middle School English and Social Studies. Lesley has experience tutoring students on the autism spectrum and those who have English language difficulties.
Lesley is an English immigrant to America and has lived here eight years with her husband, Steven. She gave a very emotional shout out to America and our country’s opportunities for higher education that were not available to her back in England, although the English class structure has loosened, since she was a younger woman.
She also gave a shout out to her husband, who supports her totally as she finishes up her degree next year. As she said, this scholarship award will allow her to “get across the finish line.”
Many words were used to describe Lesley by her professors. One particular word was used by both. They said that Lesley could see connections like those between ideas and themes. (Perhaps longer life experiences allowed her to see connections that younger people might not.) Her professors also described Lesley as prepared, keen to learn (a lifelong learner), passionate; and a person with the talent to share ideas and bring along her classmates. (as a teacher might say …working well with others!)
Jessica Grill is a Masters student at Miami University of Ohio, pursuing a Masters in Biology. She is in a part-time hybrid-style distance-based program offered through a partnership with Miami University and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Jessica has worked at the Philadelphia Zoo, and presently works as an assistant helping to invigorate the recently reinstated PINES – the Pinelands Institute for Natural and Environmental Studies.
Jessica came down many different roads, where she was serendipitously presented with many opportunities that led her to a focus on Environmental & Conservation Education. Jessica is green, and not just environmentally; she lives her truth. She loves teaching and children, as do all our winners. She is inspired by her mom, Sue, who is a single mother of four grown children, and is also a great believer in education for all her kids, including herself.
Jessica has been described by the professionals who know her to be passionate, diligent and resourceful.
Amber Williams, is a Masters student at Georgian Court University, and has been accepted for a teaching job at a Howell public school starting next year. Amber has a Bachelors of Fine Arts and an Early Childhood Teaching Certificate. Moving from ART to TEACHING was an unexpected turn for Amber, but now she plans on combining her two areas of expertise. She has a creative drive and desire to make art an integral part of a child’s learning experience.
She has been described by her professors as a woman of notable integrity with a commitment to social justice, including a statement by one professor who said, ‘with 10 plus years as an educator and relative to the more than 500 students I have seen pursuing a graduate degree, Ms. Williams is OUTSTANDING.
2017
The Outstanding High School Students’ Awards
AAUW-Rose Fishkin Memorial Award for Academic Excellence
Freehold Branch of AAUW honors 2017 HS Award Recipients
The six highest ranking female seniors from the Freehold Regional High Schools were honored at our May 11th Meeting (see pictures). Their brief bios indicate their outstanding academic achievements as well as their impressive community involvement, artistic and athletic skills.
These awards are named for Rose Fishkin who was a member of our branch, a Cornell graduate and a believer in lifelong education for women. We congratulate each recipient and wish them continued success in their chosen endeavors.
We would also like to thank the Freehold community for their continued support of our annual used book sale. This sale enables our organization to fund these awards.
From left to right:
Heather Colleen Berger Manalapan High School
Heather has the highest GPA at her high school, is secretary of the National Honor Society, Treasurer of the Spanish Honor Society, an AP Scholar with distinction and a National Merit student. She has been a student council member for all four years, works with the “Save a Brave” program and is treasurer of the Environmental Organization. Heather has studied dance and commutes to Manhattan for the Broadway Dance Center’s Children’s Program. In addition to tutoring algebra and geometry she works as a counselor in the Ivy League Day Camp.
Raeann Giannattasio Colts Neck High School
Raeann is a student in Law and Public Service at her high school where she earned the highest grade point average. She is an AP Scholar with distinction as well as a National Merit Scholar. Raeann has been involved with the science league and since 9th grade has been president of SADD (Students Against Destructive Behavior) which she founded. She was named Colts Neck Athlete of the year after her performance in the state championship Cross Country Team. She also was a runner-up in the 1600 Meter State Sectionals and a “Meet the Champion Qualifier. The University of Virginia awaits her this fall.
Tessa Catuogno Freehold Borough High School
Tessa attends the Medical Science’s Learning Center at school, has a GPA of 5.32 and a SAT score of 2240. She is an active member of the National Honor Society, tutors fifteen hours per quarter and is a board member of both Math and Spanish Honor Societies. She finds time to help students from Spanish speaking families with their homework and participate in Math League Competitions as well as Winter Track and Girls Soccer. She did a summer Oncology Program at the NJ Cancer Institute and at MIT spent two weeks building Radar Systems. Tessa is an AP scholar with distinction and a National Merit Scholar Finalist. Rutgers Honors is her college of choice and Tessa wants to major in Biomedical Engineering.
Roxanna Altus Howell High School
Roxanna has the highest GPA at her High School, is involved in the Scholar’s Center for Humanities and is the current co-president of her school’s Shakespeare Club. She performed in the English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare competition and was a finalist in Monmouth County’s Branch Competition. Roxanna has received a summer Cum Laude Honor Award in the National Latin Exam and from the age of twelve has volunteered at the Artisan Art school in Marlboro where she helps children develop a love and appreciation for art. She will be attending Rutgers in the fall.
Christy Lee Marlboro High School
Christy is involved in the Business Career Program at her high school where she has a 5.12 GPA. She is the COO of the Business Learning Center, participates in Future Business Leaders of America and is president of Decca. Christy is a finalist for a National Merit Scholarship as well as a Quest Bridge Award which provides high achieving students with the financial opportunity to attend top colleges and universities. She will attend Princeton this fall.
Anna H Landre Freehold Township High School (not in photo)
Anna is ranked #1GPA out of 500 classmates, is involved in the Contemporary Global Issues Program and is the captain of the Speech and Debate team. She had competed in the NJ Forensic League as well as the National Speech and Debate Association Competitions at Harvard and Princeton. Anna is president of her school’s book club and writes for the school newspaper. She is State Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Assn., a Girl Scout counselor at Horseback Riding School and is involved with her church. Anna is interested in International Relationships which she plans to pursue at the college of her choice.
2016-2017
The Lew Williams & Leila Sulkes Scholarships
(Renamed the AAUW-Lew Williams & Joan Odud Scholarship in 2020-2021)
The Freehold Branch of AAUW awarded two scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year. Scholarships were awarded at our September AAUW Freehold Area Branch meeting.
Freehold Branch of AAUW Honors Local Scholarship Recipients
The Freehold AAUW is proud to announce Danielle Colte (left) and Nicole Ioviero (right) as our 2016 Lew Williams and Leila Sulkes Scholarship Winners. The two scholarships were awarded at our September Branch Meeting.
Danielle Colte is finishing her Master’s in Education Leadership at Montclair State University and expects to graduate in December 2016. Nicole Ioviero is pursuing her Master’s Degree in School Psychology at Georgian Court with an expected graduation date of June 2017. Both women intend to continue their education and obtain their doctorates at a later date. Danielle would like to become a Director of Guidance or Vice-Principal and Nicole an Administrator in the educational field.
Danielle and Nicole have been described by their professors and educational colleagues as having strong organizational and management skills as well as being compassionate and insightful future educators.
The Freehold Branch of AAUW congratulates both women and wishes them continued success in their chosen endeavors.
Our Annual Used Book Sale funds this scholarship and we thank the Freehold Community for their ongoing support.
2016
Outstanding High School Students’ Awards
AAUW-Rose Fishkin Memorial Award for Academic Excellence Winners
Our Outstanding 2016 Award Recipients
What an inspiring May meeting we had with the recognition of our award recipients and hearing of their academic, community, sports and leadership achievements. Such dedication and focus from these outstanding students encourages the effort expended by our members in making the upcoming June 2016 Book Sale another success.
These six highest ranking female seniors from the Freehold Regional High Schools were honored with monetary awards of $500.
Our Annual Used Book Sale funds these awards and they are named for a former branch member, Rose Fishkin, who was a Cornell graduate and a believer in education for women.
(From left to right)
Erica Lee represents Colts Neck High School and is involved in law and public service programs, is editor in chief of the school newspaper and is president of the Technology Student Association. She participates in the NJ Science League, the Shore Math League and is completing her internship at the Monmouth County Superior Court in Freehold. She will be attending Cornell University in the fall.
Rachael Zhou attends Marlboro High School is president of the science league and future Business Leaders of America as well as being the highest scoring member of her math league team. She has performed at Carnegie Hall and won several competitions. Rachael has earned a rare 2400 on the SATs and posses a provisional patent as an inventor. She volunteers weekly at Riverview Hospital and is self-employed in the SAT tutoring business. Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania awaits her in the fall.
Katie Shum is a senior at Freehold Township High School and is involved in the contemporary Global Issues Program as well as a member of the National Honor Society, an AP Scholar and a National Merit Scholar. She plays both the piano and cello and has created a music website which has gained three thousand views. Her musical compositions and self performed songs include SAT vocabulary and current events. Katie is also active in the Sayreville Association of Brain Injured Children. The College of New Jersey is her college choice.
Meagan Silva attends Manalapan High School and is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Math Honor Society. She volunteers for Rose’s Fund for Animals where she raises monies for the cost of veterinary bills for pet owners who cannot afford them. Meaghan also volunteers with the Animal Rescue Force collecting donations and explaining the process of pet adoption to potential owners. In 2015 she attended the Bonner program at TCNJ. Rutgers is her college of choice in the fall and will major in bio-chemistry.
Carolyn Aboff from Howell High School is a student council representative, a member of the Math Club and runs cross country. Her favorite subjects are chemistry and calculus. Carolyn has earned the National Scholar Award from the College Board and volunteers as a first grade religion teacher. She also works with her brothers (she is a triplet) on a food truck and at the Howell South Little League field. Her hobby is painting and TCNJ is her college of choice.
Anjali Prabhat from Freehold Borough High School is president of the forensics team and won the NJ state championship in the Declamation category. She attended the NJ Governor’s School in the sciences and is an AP scholar with distinction. As captain of her varsity tennis team she is the winner of the school’s NJSIAA scholar athlete award. Anjali earned a perfect 2400 on her SATs and is interested in pursuing a career in medicine as a neuro-surgeon. Dartmouth is her choice of colleges in the fall.
We congratulate each of our recipients and wish them continued success in their college endeavors.
2015-2016
The Lew Williams & Leila Sulkes Scholarship
(Renamed the AAUW-Lew Williams & Joan Odud Scholarship in 2020-2021)
The Freehold Branch of AAUW awarded one scholarship for the 2015-2016 academic year. Scholarship were awarded at our September AAUW Freehold Area Branch meeting.
Freehold Branch of AAUW Honors Local Scholarship Recipient
The Freehold Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) honored Frances Vender as our 2015 Scholarship recipient on September 10th.
Frances is a Manalapan resident and is completing her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Rutgers University. Her focus is helping those with substance abuse which gives her much personal satisfaction and those with addictive behaviors, a better quality of life.
As a busy mother of four children she still finds time to volunteer at her church as well as her children’s sports activities. We congratulate Frances and wish her continued success.
Our Annual Used Book Sale funds this scholarship and we thank the Freehold Community for their ongoing support.
2015
Outstanding High School Students’ Awards
AAUW-Rose Fishkin Memorial Award for Academic Excellence Winners
See Pictures
News Transcript Scholarship Article (July 17, 2015)
It was so inspiring to hear the achievements of our 2015 award recipients. Not only are they the highest ranking female seniors from the Freehold Regional High Schools scholastically but their community involvement and musical talent are equally impressive. Thanks to our membership who supported our 2014 book sale and are working diligently to make our 2015 book sale another success.
Justine Nguyen – Freehold Township High School
Justine’s interests are art, literature, film and games. She is a National Merit Finalist from the Music Teachers Association and has performed at Carnegie Hall as a NJ High Scorer in the Royal Conservatory of Music Excellence. Justine is also a National History Day competitor, a national qualifier and has received the Girl Scouts Gold Award. Rhode Island School of Design awaits her in the fall.
Ellen Wu – Freehold High School
Ellen is a member of the Medical Science Program and the Governor’s School of the Sciences. She is involved in Neurosurgery Shadowing at Centra State Hospital and teaches algebra at the Chinese School. A member of the girl’s varsity volleyball team she also plays the piano in the FHS Chamber Choir. Her college of choice is Northwestern.
Victoria Metelkine – Marlboro High School
Victoria ranks number one in her high school class and is a National Merit scholar. She plays soccer, is a member of the math and science leagues and finds time to volunteer for the Rose Fund. The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania will welcome her this fall.
Heather Kaplan – Manalapan High School
Heather is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and an AP Scholar. She is involved with the Save a Brave Program and Cancer Awareness. Ohio State is her choice of universities.
Maggie Powell – Colts Neck High School
Maggie is Vice President of the Senior Class, a member of the Senior Class Student Council, NJ Science League and Shore Math League. She participates in the cross country, spring track and swim teams. Maggie also volunteers as a swim coach for the Special Olympics and is entering Harvard in the fall.
Britteny Zamot – Howell High School
Brittney is valedictorian of her class as well as a national honor society member and co-captain of the school’s academic challenge team. Brittney volunteers in the Telemetry Ward at the Ocean County Medical Center. She’ll be attending Cornell majoring in the biology- pre-med track and eventually wants to be a cardiac surgeon.
We congratulate each recipient and wish them continued success in their chosen endeavors.
Deirdre McNamara, Publicity, AAUW Freehold Area Branch
2014-2015
Lew Williams & Leila Sulkes Scholarships
(Renamed the Lew Williams and Joan Odud Scholarship in 2020-2021)
(Scholarship for women in undergraduate or graduate degree programs)
The Freehold Branch of AAUW awarded two scholarships for the 2014-2015 academic year. Scholarship were awarded at our September AAUW Freehold Area Branch meeting.
Freehold Branch of AAUW Honors Local Scholarship Recipients
At our September 11th Meeting the Lew Williams & Leila Sulkes Scholarships were awarded to two local women.
Kerry Glovich attends Georgian Court University majoring in Education and History. This ambitious college student is a busy mother of four ranging in ages from 6 to 19. She finds time to volunteer as a Historical Interpreter at Allaire State Park and her goal is to receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree and become a special education teacher. Kerry is also pursuing additional certification for middle school history.
Samantha Gralla will receive her Master’s Degree in School Psychology at the University of Delaware and is currently finishing her three year internship program in a Central New Jersey School. She was influenced in high school by her school psychologist and decided to major in this field at college. Samantha has worked with special need students in urban and suburban settings as well as Head Start Programs providing consultative services to teachers in difficult class room situations.
The Freehold Branch of AAUW congratulates both recipients and wishes them continued success in their chosen careers. We would like to thank the Freehold Community for their support of our annual book sale which enables us to fund these yearly scholarships.
