Albert Music Hall/PCS Awards $35,000 in Scholarships to Local Students

On May 30th, the Pinelands Cultural & Historical Preservation Society (PCS) awarded PCS/Edward W. Rearick scholarships totaling $35,000 to 13 graduates from Southern Regional High School. The recipients are Ava Bullis, Frederick Gale, Cassidy DeMasi, Julianna Ambrogio, Elaina Gale, Brielle Romano, Jessika Rai, Demitri Pierce, Darius Pierce, Lillian Gale, Mia Spallina, Molly Regulski, and Ryan Sicoli.

For the selection process, the Scholarship Committee at PCS, chaired by Barbara Paskin, considered academic standing but also the students' personal stories, extracurricular activities, honors received, and volunteer work. PCS congratulates and is extremely proud of the 13 students that were selected for this award.

The PCS Scholarship Program has an intriguing history. PCS, a non-profit organization that oversees Albert Music Hall, is dedicated to preserving and fostering interest in the Pinelands music and heritage. Entirely volunteer-run, including the musicians, the Hall has been a hub for local music since 1974, hosting live Bluegrass, Country, Folk, Americana, Old Timey, and Pinelands music every Saturday night.

In July 1992, the original venue for Albert Music Hall burned down. Undeterred, musicians and audiences continued to gather under the stars in the parking lot next to the rubble. A new location was needed so the Ocean Township Board of Education agreed to allow PCS to use the Frederic Priff School in Waretown for its weekly shows. As a gesture of gratitude, PCS began awarding scholarships to selected graduates from Southern Regional High School, leading to the establishment of the PCS Scholarship Program in August 1992. In 1996, after years of searching for a new venue, the Board of Education deeded land to PCS, where the new Albert Music Hall was built. The tradition of awarding scholarships continues to this day.

The PCS Scholarship Program received a significant boost in 2018 from a generous donation by Edward W. Rearick, a lifelong member of PCS. After his death in 2018, part of his estate was willed to the PCS for scholarships. Mr. Rearick believed in supporting young people’s education and trusted PCS to ensure the funds reached local students, reflecting the organization's long-standing tradition of community support.

This donation has allowed PCS to offer larger scholarships in recent years, where previously the scholarships were derived from the Albert Music Hall's budget, which is generated by the weekly shows. PCS’s dedication to nurturing talent and fostering community bonds goes beyond musical performances. By investing in education and supporting local students, they aim to cultivate a brighter future for the township.

A summary of Albert Music Hall's fascinating history can be found on the website and so can details of all upcoming events.