Scholarship Recipients 2014-2015
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Kathryn Garrison
My name is Katie Garrison and I am a senior at James Caldwell High School. I have always been an “artsy” kid. I love to sing and have been apart of my schools chorus for 4 years. Along with chorus I have been heavily involved in my school’s theatre program which I consider to be a home away from home. Breast cancer awareness is something I believe to be of incredible importance. I’ve been involved in Relay for Life for the past four years and have raised over $2500 collectively. Awareness means earlier detection and giving people the understanding they will need to help them cope with their disease. My mother is a survivor and continues to fight everyday. She is the strongest lady I know and I think her and many other women’s stories should be heard. The more positive energy and love we give to the fight the more success we will have in curing this debilitating disease. I truly believe that one day I will get to hear that my mom has been cured and I wont stop fighting until I do. |
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Clarke Jackson
A gifted dancer and lover of the visual and performing arts, Clarke has been training professionally since she was twelve years old. While maintaining Honors classes in both English and Art, Clarke continued the demanding dance training at Dance Theatre of Harlem, New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, and spending summers with Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She is a member of the Color Guard, Art Club, and Sisterhood Club, and works part time at Starbucks in the Short Hills Mall. She volunteers feeding the Homeless, conducting toy and food drives, and teaching dance in several community based programs. Clarke has faced many challenges in her life but always maintained a positive outlook realizing that her obstacles were not stopping blocks but detours which tested her perseverance and determination. She developed these skills from the strong women in her life especially her baby sitter and “big sister” who is a Breast Cancer Survivor. Clarke was able to witness first hand not only the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness, since her big sister was only 28 years old when diagnosed, but more importantly how a positive attitude and sheer fortitude can make all the difference in the world. She used these lessons in her own life and when an injury ended her chances of auditioning for college, Clarke used her other gifts to continue realizing her future dreams. In the fall of 2014, Clarke will be majoring in Sports, Arts & Entertainment Management at Point Park University in Pittsburg. |
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Ilona Toth
My name is Ilona Toth. I was born in Stony Brook, New York, but I have lived in Montclair since I was four. I am presently a senior at Montclair High School, and in the fall I will be attending Syracuse University. I plan to major in business management, and minor in both public relations and Spanish. Although I am not a child of a breast cancer survivor, this devastating disease has run rampant through my family. Two of my cousins, Cory Tanzer and Melissa Hage, were diagnosed, both under the age of 30; together they beat their battles with cancer. One of my aunts recently combated breast cancer, and at the age of 50, emerged triumphant. Sadly in 1994, the year before I was born, my aunt Susan Fowler from whom I get my middle name, lost her long battle at the age of 47. These four women inspired me tremendously as they remained strong and optimistic throughout their fights. During my four years at Montclair High School I was a member of the girls volleyball team. In my second year of playing I was given the opportunity to give back to those affected by breast cancer. I was approached by a senior who had, the previous year, spearheaded the idea to hold an annual fundraiser for breast cancer awareness month, called Dig Pink. As she was graduating, she offered me the opportunity to continue on her legacy. Over the course of my next two years in high school it was my position to orchestrate Dig Pink. My teammates and held bake sales, solicited donations for raffle baskets from local businesses, and fundraised for this cause so near to my heart. Each year we had a goal to raise $3000 for the Side Out Foundation, an organization that combines both volleyball and breast cancer awareness. Side Out Foundation funds support groups, scientific studies, and clinical trials. Since I began organizing Dig Pink in 2012, we have raised nearly $6,120! My dream is to one day own my own event-planning firm, in hopes of being able to focus on non-profit fundraisers similar to Dig Pink. |