$1 million in Simon Youth Scholarships includes award for local student

A local student will continue his education this fall with the help of The Shops at Riverside and Simon Youth Foundation (SYF).

Manish Balakrishnan, of Rochelle Park, New Jersey (second from right), has received a Simon Youth Foundation Community Scholarship valued at $1,500. The scholarship is awarded in partnership between The Shops at Riverside and Simon Youth Foundation (SYF), a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational and career development opportunities for youth.

He plans to study Electrical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology in the fall.

The Shops at Riverside Property Manager Andrew Morgenroth (right) presented Balakrishnan with the award during a recent ceremony held at the center. Among those in attendance were Director of Marketing and Business Development Lisa Polino (left) and mother Nalini Balakrishnan.

A recent graduate of Bergen County Academies, Balakrishnan exemplified himself through academic excellence, leadership skills and participation in both school and community activities. Balakrishnan took part in a states level competition for Magnetic Levitation and Elastic Launcher and served as secretary for Literacy in Africa, a club that started a library in Malawi from donated books. He has donated his time, logging 77 hours as a volunteer for Community Blood Services and interned at Recon Industrials Control Corporations. For the past four years, he was a counselor for E-Camp, a week-long engineering camp for incoming freshman. .

“We are very proud of the Simon Youth Scholarships program, because it has given us the opportunity to support the academic endeavors of promising youth right here in our community,” said Lisa Polino, director of marketing and business development for The Shops at Riverside.

Simon Youth Scholarships are awarded annually to at least one student in every U.S. community that is home to a Simon® property. This year, approximately $1.1 million will be awarded.

“Simon Youth Community Scholarships reward academic excellence across the country and help students to continue their education,” said J. Michael Durnil, President and CEO of SYF. “Financial concerns should never be the reason preventing a child from pursuing their dreams.”