Kids & Family
West Orange Boy Killed In Crash Would Have Graduated This Year (VIDEO)
WATCH: Nikhil Badlani's parents speak about their son's tragic death and thank the community for an outpouring of support in his memory.
WEST ORANGE, NJ — Nikhil Badlani would have graduated alongside his high school peers this year. But the memory of the 11-year-old lives on in the West Orange High School class of 2017.
Badlani – an 11-year-old exemplary student and aspiring musician – was killed in a 2011 motor vehicle accident involving a driver who ran a stop sign on the South Orange/Maplewood border near South Mountain Reservation.
- See related article: West Orange Child Dies in Car Accident
But despite the tragedy of his passing, Badlani’s parents have kept his memory alive.
Find out what's happening in West Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
After issuing a fundraising challenge in February, the Nikhil Badlani Foundation (NBF) and the West Orange Scholarship Fund will be able to award nearly $40,000 to the West Orange High School class of 2017 in memory of the 11-year-old, West Orange school administrators announced Monday.
“This is a bittersweet time for us because Nikhil would have graduated this year,” Sangeeta Badlani said. “But we are very happy to see his friends graduate.”
Find out what's happening in West Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to school administrators, West Orange High School seniors complete an online application on the West Orange Scholarship Fund website and a committee of trustees reviews the applications, determining scholarship recipients.
The 2017 scholarships will be awarded during Senior Awards Night, to be held this year on June 8 in the West Orange High School auditorium at 7 p.m.
“We are honored to continue our long-term partnership with the Nikhil Badlani Foundation and the Badlani family,” WOSF Treasurer Jim Quinn said. “And we’re excited by the overwhelming support that we received from the great West Orange community in memory of Nikhil.”
- See related article: Traffic Safety: "Nikhil's Law" Passed In Honor Of Essex County Youth
- See related article: Obituary: Nikhil Badlani, A Talented and Brilliant Student
Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com
Photo: West Orange Schools
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