BCANJ awards three scholarships

Source: Construction Digital

Date :7/2/2007 8:55:10 AM

Three N.J. students receive college scholarships totaling $30,000 from the Building Contractors Association of New Jersey (BCANJ).

Awarded through the BCANJ’s Ninth Annual Presidents’ Scholarship Program, the scholarships were presented to the students at the awards ceremony and reception on June 14, 2007, at Mayfair Farms in West Orange.

The 2007 scholarship recipients were selected from more than 20 qualified applicants. Each recipient will receive $2,500 for each of the years they attend an accredited college or university and maintain a minimum of 12 credits per semester toward their undergraduate degree, up to a maximum of four years. The BCANJ Presidents’ Scholarship Fund is open to dependents and grandchildren of active BCANJ members, as well as contributors to an industry advancement fund to which BCANJ is party. Since its inception in 1999, the program has committed $209,000 in scholarships to 36 deserving, well-rounded individuals.

“These three recipients were, with careful scrutiny, selected from a pool of very talented applicants,” says BCANJ Executive Director Darlene Regina. “We are once again impressed with the quality and accomplishments of all the students who apply, and are pleased to be able to help further the education of the very best.”

Scholarship Recipients for 2007:

Christine Habersaat of Wyckoff, NJ, faced a harsh reality in 2001, when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. As a sixth-grader, she underwent weeks of chemotherapy, lost her hair and even began to lose hope. But today, ready to enter Gettysburg College, Christine looks back on her battle with cancer as a blessing, helping her grow into a bubbly, analytical, insightful and driven young woman. Her academic record at Ramapo High School reflects an ocean of As in a schedule of Honors and Advanced Placement courses. Her cumulative GPA was 5.64. Her SAT score hit 1980. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the World Language National Honor Society – with a full four years of Latin. She lettered in Cross Country, Winter Track and Spring Track. She plays the flute, is a member of the poetry club, and takes four dance classes a week. In 2004, Christine established a fund within Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund at Hackensack University Medical Center to allow children with cancer and other diseases to spend a day at Great Adventure with their families. She remains the president of the fund. Christine plans to become an oncologist or childhood cancer psychologist, or both.

Lisa Mustachio of Succasunna, NJ, plans to major in biology when she enters Drew University this fall, a first step toward becoming a doctor. But she also hopes to pursue her studies in the French language, as well as Italian – and can visualize a future in which she can travel the world administering to the sick. Added to all that, Lisa wants to continue her music education. She has played classical piano since she was a little girl, and would like to teach others to play even as she prepares for a career in medicine. With scarcely a grade below an A at Roxbury High School, Lisa mastered Advanced Placement French and Anatomy and Physiology. She served as Vice President of the French Club for two years, and was President of the French National Honor Society for three years. She was a member of the Art Club, the Literary Magazine, the Key Club. Outside of school, Lisa volunteers for the March of Dimes, the Spirit Field Riders helping handicapped children ride horses, St. Elizabeth’s Church in Flanders and the Merry Heart Nursing Home. She trained in hospice care and helped clean up the Morristown Park Trail. She even works part-time for a law office.

Matthew Walsh of Sussex, NJ, ranked #1 in his class at Vernon Township High School, finishing his four years with a rigorous schedule of Advanced Placement courses. He received a perfect 800 on the Math portion of his SATs, and a 740 on the Verbal. He served as president of the National German Honor Society, consistently showed up on the Principal’s Honor Roll, and received two National Science League Awards. Matt balances his academic interests with his two passions – music and karate. He plays the violin, serving as section leader for the high school orchestra, performing with the high school chamber orchestra and two area student orchestras. He also plays bass guitar, performing with the high school jazz band and the saxophone ensemble, and countless times in the community. He helped St. Thomas Church and Vernon Methodist Church in their fundraising events, and plays professionally at weddings. As a student at the Pace Institute of Karate, Matt has a black belt in karate. He is also a karate instructor and a senior member of the institute’s demonstration team. Matt will enter the University of Rochester in the fall.