For Immediate Release:
June 17, 2009

NJAR^® EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS

Foundation Awards $60,250 in Scholarships to 40 Students

(Edison, NJ) The New Jersey Association of REALTORS^® Educational Foundation (NJAREF) today awarded 40 students with a total of $60,250 in scholarships to use towards furthering their education. Scholarships this year ranged from $1,000 to $2,500 and were presented to recipients at a luncheon ceremony at The Westwood in Garwood, N.J. This year's event marks the 26th anniversary of the Foundation's scholarship awards presentation ceremony.

"Today's ceremony is a wonderful occasion to come together to celebrate the achievements of these New Jersey students," said NJAREF President Christine Caggiano. "They have proven successful in their dedication to education, extracurricular activities and community service. On behalf of the Foundation, I am pleased to present these awards to such hardworking and deserving individuals."

The Foundation provides scholarships to members of the New Jersey Association of REALTORS^® (NJAR^®) or relatives of NJAR^® members living in the state of New Jersey. Scholarships are given to high school seniors who will be attending an undergraduate four-year institution, students currently enrolled in undergraduate four-year institutions and students pursuing graduate studies in real estate or related fields. Students are selected based on criteria such as academic achievements, financial needs, interest in real estate endeavors, and contributions to family, school and community.

NJAREF is a non-profit organization that was established in 1969 to foster education, promote knowledge, conduct research, and assist in the education of students pursuing a college or university degree. In 1969, the Foundation received its first major gift of $10,000, followed by other large donations "in memoriam" throughout the years. Today, the scholarship program continues to grow because of the generous support of NJAR^® members, the local boards/associations of REALTORS^®, and bequests received from the estates of former NJAR^® members.

Atlantic City & County Board of REALTORS® Award - $1,500
Jincy Varughese, Old Bridge, N.J., attending University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

Award sponsored by the Stefanik Family in memory of Gertrude Stefanik- $1,500
Krista Teresak, Pompton Plains, N.J., attending Emory University

Burlington Camden County Association of REALTORS® Nutter/Schwartz Award- $2,000
Matthew Blackman, Cherry Hill, N.J., attending Norwich University

Cape May County Association of REALTORS®, Inc. Award in Memory of Ruth McCormick- $1,500
Ryan Gittleson, Rumson, N.J., attending William & Mary

Eastern Bergen County Board of REALTORS® Award- $1,500
David Rhee, Tenafly, N.J., attending Columbia College

General Awards sponsored by the NJAR® Educational Foundation- $1,500 each
Joshua Piccioni, Bridgeton, N.J., attending Drexel University
Gerard Rosenberger, Margate, N.J., attending Villanova University

General Awards sponsored by the NJAR® Educational Foundation - $1,250 each
Donrey Acharon, Franklin Park, N.J., attending Rutgers University
Russell Berger, Warren, N.J., attending George Washington University
Samuel Berse, Westfield, N.J., attending Kean University
Andrew Bucossi, New Providence, N.J., attending Boston University
Michael Chua, Edison, N.J., attending Brown University
Pritha Dasgupta, Plainsboro, N.J., attending Princeton University
Mia Edwards, Clifton, N.J., attending Stevens Institute of Technology
Francine Lieberman, Maplewood, N.J., attending University of Maryland
Claire Oh, Colonia, N.J., attending Cornell University
Ashley Petix, Hightstown, N.J., attending Drew University
Michael Ryder, Nutley, N.J., attending Rutgers University
Alana Silverman, Red Bank, N.J., attending Rowan University

General Award sponsored by the NJAR® Educational Foundation - $1,000
Katherine Chang, Edison, N.J., attending Rutgers University

Gloucester Salem Counties Board of REALTORS® Award in memory of Clarence White - $1,250
Ashley DeMarco, Brick, N.J., attending Fairleigh Dickinson University

Greater Union County Association of REALTORS® Award - $2,500
Brittney Cammarota, Barnegat, N.J., attending University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

Hunterdon/Somerset Association of REALTORS® Award in honor of Claudia Pascale- $1,500
Gia O'Keefe, Rutherford, N.J., attending the University of Delaware

Hunterdon/Somerset Association of REALTORS® Award in memory of Frank Freehauf- $1,500
Alexander Orfanos, Haworth, N.J., attending Cornell University

John P. Okun Foundation, Inc. Awards - $1,000 each
Nicole Calao, Toms River, N.J., attending Georgian Court University
Anne Marie Farulo, Basking Ridge, N.J., attending Kean University

Mercer County Association of REALTORS® Award in memory of Jerry Lancaster- $1,500
Teandra Gibbs, Franklin Park, N.J., attending Rider University

Monmouth County Association of REALTORS® Award - $2,500
Casey Burkhardt, Toms River, N.J., attending Villanova University

Nancy Reynolds Memorial Awards - $2,000 each
Carissa Bowen, Iselin, N.J., attending Westminster Choir College of Rider University
Basil Shahin, Secaucus, N.J., attending Rutgers University

New Jersey Chapter Certified Residential Specialist Award - $1,250
Stephanie Psyllos, Columbus, N.J., attending New York University

New Jersey Multiple Listing Services Awards - $1,250 each
Jessica Caamano, Millington, N.J., attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
John Salierno, Clifton, N.J., attending Seton Hall University School of Law

North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS® Dean A. Gallo Award - $2,500
Matthew Cortland, Marlton, N.J., attending Rutgers University

North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS® Michael A. Campbell Award - $2,500
Brandon O'Keefe, Rutherford, N.J., attending Seton Hall University

North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS® Edward A. Ward Award - $2,500
Amanda Frank, Edison, N.J., attending Seton Hall University

Ocean County Board of REALTORS® Award in memory of Gertrude Stefanik - $1,500
Elizabeth Estephan, Colts Neck, N.J., attending American University

RealSource Association of REALTORS® Award in memory of Joseph Marino- $1,500
Elizabeth Broderick, Waldwick, N.J., attending Manhattan College

West Essex County Board of REALTORS® Award - $1,000
Mark Adamsky, Morristown, N.J., attending Marist College

William J. Carlton Memorial Award - $1,250
Stephanie Gati, Princeton, N.J., attending Princeton University

Photo of the scholarship recipients is available online at: http://www.njar.com/pressroom/releases/2009/061709p.html.
 

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