recognizing the hard work each student put forward to earn the
award. The scholarship committee looks forward to reviewing
the merit of the students each year in applications that consist
of a high school transcript, SAT scores and a hand-written essay
that qualifies the children of active and retired PBA members
for the awards.
“I have them all at home,” Bennett shared about the appli-
cations. “I read all of them, even the ones that aren’t given an
award.”
Essays like Trevor Calimer’s stood out this year to scholar-
ship committee members, who were inspired by his first-per-
son recount of what it was like growing up with a father who
was injured in the line of duty. Calimer was the only applicant
selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Elks Family
Foundation, an amount that will be put toward the cost of tui-
tion at Stockton University.
In many ways, the scholarships students earn from the PBA
are as much an award for their parents, who encourage their
children to utilize the opportunity they’re given to receive aid
from their family in law enforcement. Gina Cole is the second
child of Aberdeen Township Local 163 member Joe Cole to earn
a PBA scholarship. As his daughter Gina prepares to begin her
freshman year at the University of Tampa, Cole celebrated an-
other form of reassurance that his 24 years of service pay off in
ways that benefit his family.
“I’m very proud,” Cole stated while standing next to his
daughter after she had just received the $2,000 Special Schol-
arship. “There’s such a pool of talent out there, so I’m very hon-
ored and proud that my daughter was chosen for (the scholar-
ship). It’s very humbling.”
The scholarship committee knows that the dollars awarded
to children of PBA members are an important way for the NJ
State PBA to give back to those who serve. And while the PBA is
always looking for ways to show appreciation to their members,
the scholarship committee also values the opportunity to see
the ambition and character of those who are shaped by law en-
forcement as they take a pivotal step toward a successful future.
“Most of us have shift work, so we don’t always get to go see
our kids’ sporting activities and other events associated with
academia,” Bennett explains of the sacrifices members of law
enforcement make to do their jobs. “A lot of the essays are about
their mothers and fathers as law enforcement officers, and
what they’ve learned from them and the work ethic that they’ve
gotten from their parents.” d
2017 NJ State PBA Scholarship recipients
Elks Family Foundation
Trevor Calimer, Mainland Local 77
Special Scholarships
Gina Marie Cole, Aberdeen Township Local 163
Ryan Sparks, Lawrence Township Local 119
Girls
Victoria Arabio, Atlantic City Local 24
Jenna Attanasio, Mountainside Local 126
Amanda Bertsch, Ringwood Boro Local 247
Aubrianna Borger Wildwood Local 59
Briana Borrero, Paterson Local 1
Madison Cieri, Springfield Local 76
Caleigh Doherty, Bergenfield Local 309
Cassidy Gray, Garfield Local 46
Alisha Griffin, Parsippany-Troy Hills Local 131
Kathryn Falotico, Mahwah Local 143
Madison Gulbin Montclair Local 53
Ashlyn Hovan Bayonne Local 7
Kelsie Kearns, Harrison Local 22
Kayla Martello, Wayne Township Local 136
Katie Mayer, Wildwood Local 59
Kayla Mitchell, Ocean County Prosecutors Office Local 171
Phoebe Prettyman, Ocean City Local 61
Kelsey Santucci, Colts Neck Local 333
Erin Scannell, Bergen County Sheriff’s Department Local 134
Samantha Smith, Ewing Township Local 111
Boys:
Walter Beese, Carlstadt Local 312
Louis John Castellano, Morris County Prosecutors Office Local 327
William Colletto III, Edison Township Local 75
Michael Ferronte, Teaneck Local 215
Nicholas Fugnitti, Bergen County Local 102
Brian Gilfedder Jr., Millburn Local 34
Ryan Huth, Edison Township Local 75
Jake Ippolito, Beach Boro Local 106
Joseph Korin, Wood-Ridge Local 313
Bradford Kroepke, Allendale-Waldwick Local 217
Jake Lally, Upper Saddle River Local 218
Daniel McLaughlin, Clifton Local 36
Michael McLaughlin Jr, Clifton Local 36
Kyle Neary, Shrewsbury Local 308
Samuel Neumann, Cherry Hill Local 176
Nicholas Percivale, Port Authority Local 116
Michael Pesenti, West Milford Township Local 162
Nicholas Phillips, Pemberton Township Local 260
Colman Villegas, Middlesex County Prosecutors Office Local 214
Brian Worts, Boonton Township Local 392
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ JULY 2017 45