The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s (NNJCF) Darren Drake Memorial Fund named New Milford High School 2022 graduate Anthony Scrivanich the fifth recipient of its scholarship award. The NNJCF’s Darren Drake Memorial Fund, a charitable, donor advised fund, memorializes New Milford High School graduate Darren Drake, who died in a terrorist attack in New York City on October 31, 2017. Furthermore, this NNJCF fund awards an annual scholarship to a graduating senior of New Milford High School to pursue training in the trade or technical professions.
Scrivanich received the $2,000 scholarship from presenter Barbara Drake, mother of Darren Drake, at the high school’s Senior Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 13. He plans to attend Lincoln Technical Institute in Mahwah, New Jersey and study Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC).
During high school, Scrivanich played on several sports teams. As a member of the basketball team, he received three varsity awards, including two for First Team All League and one for Second Team All League. While a member of the baseball team, this athlete also received First and Second Team All League Awards.
Barbara Drake, mother of Darren Drake, presented Anthony Scrivanich with a scholarship from the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s Darren Drake Memorial Fund.
Skilled Laborers Needed in Trade Professions
As a member of the New Milford Board of Education, Darren Drake also recognized the importance of preparing high school students to pursue vocational careers. This training would meet a shortage of skilled labor in the trade and technical professions. According to the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University, 30 million jobs are available in these professions. These professions provide median earnings of $55,000 annually. Furthermore, they do not require a bachelor of arts degree. A range of jobs is available in the trade and technical industries, including construction and manufacturing. In addition, jobs remain available in the skilled-services industries in healthcare and financial services.
A study undertaken by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute found manufacturers need to hire four million workers. These workers will fill positions created by industry growth and retirements from the workforce. The study also predicts manufacturing companies will have difficulty filling at least 2.1 million positions. This labor shortage gap results from a lack of trained applicants.
Memorial Fund Continues Darren Drake’s Legacy
In remembrance of Darren Drake, and as a lasting tribute to his lifelong love of and commitment to education, Moody’s Foundation provided the principal gift to establish the fund. His parents serve as advisors to the fund. The public may also continue Darren Drake’s commitment to education and his legacy through donations made in his memory.
Donations are tax-deductible, as permitted by law, and may be made online. Contributions may also be sent by check. Send checks made out to ‘The Northern NJ Community Foundation’. Enter ‘Darren Drake Memorial Fund’ in the memo line. Mail checks to the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, 1 University Plaza, Suite 128, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601. For further information about the fund, contact nnjcf@nnjcf.org or call 201-568-5608.
