Madison Students Lives Changed by Scholarships

Thursday, Jan. 21, the Thursday Morning Club (TMC) of Madison held a scholarship social and game day at the Madison Community House, located at 25 Cook Ave., to honor recipients of scholarships sponsoring students at multi-day institutes in June 2015. More than 70 attendees participated in the event, which raised funds for scholarships for 2016. The awardees, their parents and Guidance Director Brett Levine of Madison High School were honored guests. Awardees spoke about their experiences while enjoying lunch and desserts prepared by members. Guests enjoyed the remainder of the day playing bridge, mahjongg, bunco and other games following the luncheon and presentations.

Karen Jeisi, president of the TMC, welcomed guests and introduced Sharon Kapica, education chair for the TMC. Kapica provided background information on the two awards and introduced the students.

Samantha Bagley, a student at Madison High School, was introduced as the recipient of the Girls Career Institute Award for 2015. The Girls’ Career Institute (GCI) is sponsored by the New Jersey Federated Women’s Clubs as an opportunity for a junior class female who is college material and might benefit from additional encouragement or incentive and focuses on career opportunities in various professions and opportunities to meet professional women. Bagley attended a program in the early spring of 2015, which allowed students from the Highlands region to meet and socialize prior to spending four days at Douglass College in June 2015. Bagley lived in a dorm, had an opportunity to meet other young women and experience college living while participating in seminars and group experiences.

Grant Sarrett, a junior at Madison High School, was introduced as the Hugh O’Brien Youth (HOBY) leadership ambassador for 2015. The HOBY Institute is a three-day, intensive, immersive leadership experience held at Monmouth University for a sophomore student who demonstrates strong leadership potential and the ability to “think outside the box.” Hugh O’Brien, an actor, first established the HOBY Institutes in California after meeting with Albert Schweitzer and discussing youth as the hope for the future. He funded the institutes to expose young potential leaders to others with the end goal of empowering them to make a significant contributions to better society.

Both students considered their experience life-changing events and thanked the Thursday Morning Club for its support.

The Thursday Morning Club, a social and philanthropic organization celebrating its 120th year, owns, operates and maintains the Madison Community House, Nursery School and Before and After School Child Care programs. The club has provided community support programs since its inception in 1896 as well as a home for local sport, recreational and civic groups since 1924. Further information is available through the Thursday Morning Club website.

Pictured from left are: Sharon Kapica, Chairman of the Scholarship Social, Karen Jeisi, President of the Thursday Morning Club, Girls CareerInstitute Award 2015 recipient, Samantha Bagley, Hugh O’Brien Youth (HOPY) Leadership Ambassador 2015 recipient, Grant Sarrett, andMadison High School Guidance Director Brett Levine.