This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Neighbor News

$20,000 Scholarship to RHS Senior for Character

Award recognizes character, determination and non-traditional achievements rather than grades or test scores

Nastassja Kuz, RHS '19, recipient of the 2019 Ridge Alumni Memorial Scholarship
Nastassja Kuz, RHS '19, recipient of the 2019 Ridge Alumni Memorial Scholarship

Got character?

That’s what the Ridge Alumni Memorial Scholarship organizers are looking for: seniors who have demonstrated “character, determination, and nontraditional achievements” during their tenure at RHS. This year’s award is $20,000.

“We don’t ask for grades or test scores,” according to Jane Cullinan (RHS ’67), who chairs the Ridge AMS Board of Trustees. “The 4.5 GPA and 2400 SAT students have many options. The goal of Ridge AMS is to recognize students who have learned to overcome challenges, demonstrated character, and achieved in categories outside traditional measurements.”

Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The award recipient may use the funds for virtually any educational, vocational or personal growth expenses — meaning tuition, a gap year, a car to get to work, studio time, or something a senior will need that Ridge AMS organizers haven’t yet thought of.

“Past recipients have been remarkable people. We trust them to use the Ridge AMS funds wisely,” said Cullinan, “The purpose of the Ridge Alumni Memorial Scholarship is to honor the past by supporting the future — and kids with character are our future.”

Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Last year’s Ridge AMS $19,000 grant was the largest scholarship presented at Ridge’s 2019 Awards Night, other than ones connected to a particular college or university. It went to Nastassja Kuz, RHS ’19.

Ridge seniors can learn more at RidgeAMS.org, or by contacting RHS Guidance counselors. Application instructions appear on the website.

Deadline for applications is March 2, 2020.

Ridge AMS is a 501(C)(3) funded entirely by donations, which are tax-deductible.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?