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NJ State PBA awards annual scholarships to help family members on their path to success n BY AMBER RAMUNDO n PHOTOS BY ED CARATTINI, JR.
The essays NJ State PBA Scholarship applicants took the time to write by hand speak volumes above grade-point averages and SAT scores. Applicants like Ryan Sparks, son of retired officer Todd Sparks from Lawrence Township Local 119, jump off the page during the scholarship review process and allow the PBA Scholarship Committee to get to know a story of perseverance that transcends the grades on a transcript.
“ My dad was a cop … he was out of work for four years and it put a strain on our family’ s financial situation,” Sparks explained about the aspects of his family history that he included in the application essay that earned him the Hardship Scholarship for $ 2,000, one of the top awards.“ My brother passed away last year from drugs, so it’ s just a lot of stuff to go through. I definitely appreciate that they’ re giving me this ability to help pay for college.” Applications like Sparks’ piled up at PBA headquarters between March and June. The eight-member scholarship committee needed multiple meetings to sort through the thick pile of neatly sealed envelopes, each one filled with a unique story from students who share the understanding of what it’ s like to have a mother or father in law enforcement.
A total of 330 applicants applied for these coveted scholarships by sending their grades, college plans and future goals to the scholarship committee this year. The unprecedented number of applications required hours to review and divvy up the awards.
It’ s a process that Keith Bennett knows well after serving seven years on the committee, of which he is the chairman. But no matter how many times he’ s sat at the table to select the award recipients, it’ s never gotten easier to determine the recipients from so many qualified candidates.
“ This particular group is very competitive on the academic side,” Bennett shared before presenting the scholarships to the recipients at the June NJ State PBA Meeting held at Caesars Casino in Atlantic City.
NJ State PBA Scholarship Committee Chairman Keith Bennett announced the names of each scholarship winner after months of reviewing hundreds of applications.
Trevor Calimer was congratulated by President Pat Colligan and Vice President Marc Kovar as he received the Elks Family Foundation Scholarship that will aid his tuition at Stockton University.
On June 27, the 28 scholarship recipients dressed their professional best to proudly receive awards ranging from $ 1,000 to $ 2,000 that aid the cost of a valuable education and a priceless college experience.
Bennett called them each by name and NJ State PBA President Pat Colligan shook their hands one by one, all the while
44 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ JULY 2017