Students Selected for Golda Och Academy's Prestigious Merit Scholarship Program

Golda Och Academy’s Merit Scholarship Committee reviewed 20 outstanding applications from both current and prospective students and is pleased to announce this year’s scholarship recipients. The Merit Scholarship Program—GOA’s most prestigious honor— was founded three years ago and the chosen scholars receive four full years of high school tuition. The program is open to current and prospective students entering 9^th grade.

This year’s Merit Scholarship recipients are Aviva Kamens of Highland Park, a new student coming to us from Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan Valley, and current 8th grader Kimberly Jo Robins of Short Hills. One additional student was selected as a Golda Och Academy Merit Scholarship Finalist—Joshua Schuman of West Orange.

“What’s great about this year is that one of the recipients is a current 8^th grader while the other is coming to us from another school,” Gail Shapiro, GOA’s Director of Admissions and Community Outreach said.  “It is always wonderful to be able to recognize the talented students who already attend GOA and those who will be joining us in the future.”

According to Sue and Sam Kamens, parents of Aviva, their daughter has already benefited from the individualized attention at SSDSRV and she is looking forward to the broader curriculum and extracurricular program at GOA, while having the opportunity to strengthen her Jewish identity.

Cheryl and Richard Robins are proud of their daughter, Kimberly and the education she has received thus far as a GOA student. “We have the highest respect for the faculty and administration of GOA, so it is very meaningful to us that they have recognized Kimberly as a top student and leader,” they said.

According to the committee, which consists of faculty and administrators, it was exceptionally difficult to select this year’s recipients because many of the candidates were qualified and meritorious. 

Golda Och Academy believes in honoring the talents of its students and Merit Scholarship recipients must meet various requirements to continue qualifying for the scholarship such as maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.7 for each semester, acting as role models of good character and behavior, and by remaining GOA students for all four years unless the family no longer resides in the area.

“The scholarship program is a wonderful way to support students with outstanding records and exceptional promise, and I am delighted that we have such wonderful recipients this year,” Upper School Principal Nancy Leaderman said.