From left, Mayor Nicholas Russo, Herb Stern, Commissioners Jim Leeds Sr. and Dan Lawler.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT – The Board of Commissioners Wednesday, June 1 hosted the annual presentation of scholarships provided by the Herb Stern Longport Scholarship Fund and recognized its founder for his many years of service to the community.
Eleven students received scholarships this year totaling $25,000, the largest amount in the fund’s history. Since its inception, the fund has awarded more than $150,000 to deserving students seeking college or graduate school degrees.
From left, Trustees Patrick Armstrong. Bob Stern, Herb Stern, students Tai Schiavo, Tyler Lawler, Luke Kramer, Pat Agnellini, Jeremy Albergo, Kai Tripician, Nicholas Volpe and Eva Engal, Trustees Carl Tripician and Lynn Baumgardner.
This year’s recipients are:
- Pacifico Agnellini, who attends the University of South Carolina studying business, finance and entrepreneurship. He has worked as a lifeguard in neighboring Margate and started his own trash and recycling service business.
- Jeremy Albergo is headed to Rutgers University to study political science. His career goal is to work for the State Department or in the field of law. He has worked at True Value Home Center in Margate, volunteered for community cleanups, and enjoys surfing with local teams.
- Eva Engel will attend the University of Tampa and plans to study art and psychology for a career in art therapy. She has volunteered with several nonprofits in the U.S., Costa Rica and Peru.
- Sophia Gresham currently attends Rowan University and looks forward to becoming a health and physical education teacher. She participates in Rowan’s track and field team and has worked as a camp counselor and coach.
- Luke Kramer attends Boston University and is studying in health science and plans to work in the field of healthcare. He participates in track, and has worked as a lifeguard and as a volunteer at Shore Medical Center.
- Alanna Larson is completing her first year at Widener University Delaware Law School with a concentration in intellectual property law. She has been a legal intern and paralegal and has worked at local restaurants and local charities.
- Tyler Lawler will begin college at the University of South Carolina in the fall and plans to study engineering and business. He enjoys playing soccer, lacrosse and surfing, and has been employed in local restaurants.
- Tai Schiavo is finishing his first year at the Berklee School of Music studying film, music and film scoring. He has extensive experience as a musician.
- Birdie Stewart, a student at the College of Charleston, is studying marketing and computer science. She has participated in cross country, track and tennis, and has worked in recreation and counseling.
- Kai Tripician is a student at Wesleyan University where he is taking a range of liberal arts classes and is considering a career in the environmental field. He teaches sign language, and recently lectured for Sustainable Longport on the topic of birding.
- Nicholas Volpe is headed to the University of South Carolina, where he plans to study biology and become a medical doctor. He is active in lacrosse, soccer and class council.
The scholarships are funded by contributions from Longport’s year-round and seasonal homeowners. Winners are selected from applications that highlight academic achievement, extracurricular activities, work record and volunteer service. The awards will go toward tuition for the 2022 fall semester.
There was also an unexpected award following the presentation of scholarships. An unsuspecting Herb Stern, who does much of the fundraising for the scholarship program, learned that June 1, 2022 was also “Herb Stern Day in Longport.”
Mayor Nicholas Russo and the commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing Stern for his 20 years of service to the children of the community.
According to Russo, after earning a degree from Rutgers University, the World War II Navy veteran settled in Longport with his wife Faith and became involved in service to the borough. Stern is a former member of the Longport Board of Education, where he served as its president, and was instrumental in forming the scholarship fund.
“Herb Stern was such an integral part of the scholarship fund that the Board of Trustees decided to change the name of fund to the Herb Stern Longport Scholarship Fund,” Russo said.
He also served on the board of the Longport Historical Society and is a valued member of Longport American Legion Post 469.
Russo presented him with the proclamation to express “deep and sincere appreciation” for his many years of dedicated service to the community.
Stern said he was “thankful but surprised” by the recognition.
“Thank you for all of the cooperation from the Borough along with thanks to our contributors and our wonderful board members,” he said.
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