Friendship Lands High School Senior a Scholarship

Being a good friend to others and friendship count. The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s The Class of 1964 Ralph Gregg Memorial Scholarship Fund announces Leonia High School senior Grey Lawrence as its 2021 recipient. John Morris presented the award on behalf of the fund at the Leonia High School ceremony on June 18.   This year, Lawrence, a resident of Leonia, New Jersey also becomes the sixteenth recipient of a Ralph Gregg Memorial Scholarship Fund award. The NNJCF donor advised fund memorializes Leonia High School 1964 classmate Ralph Gregg.

Leonia High School senior Grey Lawrence received the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation's The Class of 1964 Ralph Gregg Memorial Scholarship Fund's 2021 award.

Grey Lawrence (left) received the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s The Class of 1964 Ralph Gregg Memorial Scholarship Fund’s award from John Morris (right), a graduate of the Leonia High School class of 1964.

Friendship Matters

The $1,000 scholarship award is given to a student seeking to further his or her education.  The student is also a member of an athletic team, holds a B grade point average or better, and demonstrates some financial need. “Being a friend is a key part of the scholarship award.  The recipient must demonstrate the ability to relate to everyone, be a true friend, and be humorous.  We take pride in the Ralph Gregg scholarship being different because its main focus is not on academics or athletics but on friendship and being a great classmate.  Frequently, this is the only scholarship our recipient receives,” said Doug Bauer, a member of The Ralph Gregg Scholarship Fund’s advisory committee.

“As a tri-sport athlete, Grey exhibited sportsmanship and friendship on a daily basis with his teammates and coaches. He was a true team player to all. As a member of the student senate, he was responsible for helping plan school events and to help fundraise money for such events. He dedicated much of his time outside of school to these activities,” explained Leonia High School counselor Kelsey Wilson.

During high school, Lawrence was also very active in several sports. His athletic record included playing on the Leonia High School varsity soccer team for four years.  Furthermore, while on the team, he held the position of captain for two years. During his junior year, he played first team all league soccer. His also played varsity track for four years and varsity basketball for two years.

Among the leadership positions he held, Lawrence served on the Leonia High School Senate for four years. He was also a member of Leonia High School’s Marketing and Business Leadership Academy. This fall, he plans to attend Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and major in Business Management.

Philanthropic Opportunities

The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation has served the community by offering a comprehensive menu of philanthropic opportunities.  The NNJCF focuses primarily on education, public health, civic engagement, arts, philanthropy, and the environment.  The Foundation provides donors with flexible, efficient, and tax-effective ways to ensure their charitable giving has maximum impact.  This can be accomplished through donor-advised funds, tax-saving annuities, and also trust options.

“When establishing a donor-advised fund, donors create a legacy of charitable giving.  They recommend grants to causes of interest or in honor of a deceased loved one. Donors can name successors to continue the giving beyond their lifetime.  They also have the option of giving to multiple charitable groups of their choice. Furthermore, tax benefits are available.  These include an initial tax deduction upon establishing the fund and tax-free growth,” said Danielle De Laurentis, Associate Director, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.

For further information about the NNJCF, The Class of 1964 Ralph Gregg Memorial Scholarship Fund, or to set up a charitable fund, call 201-568-5608 or send an e-mail.

 

 

 

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