Gala raises funds for scholarships on 40th anniversary
The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) celebrated its annual gala recently to benefit its tuition-assistance awards program for students attending private and parochial schools of The Archdiocese of Newark. The event, held on May 10 at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, featured a cocktail reception, silent auction, and a formal dinner.
The event was livened up by 40 Student Ambassadors from the Elementary Division at St. Benedicts Preparatory School in Newark, who briefly greeted guests upon arrival in the ballroom, and a musical performance by the “C-Tonians” comprised of students from Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange. Almost 400 attendees gathered to celebrate the largest-ever SFIC Gala, which raised $450,000 for scholarships.
SFIC provides children and families in need with the opportunity for a quality, values-based education in a safe environment. The Fund provides partial-tuition assistance to economically-disadvantaged children attending private and parochial schools of the Archdiocese in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Awards are based upon economic need without regard to race, gender, religion, or ethnicity.
“Year after year, we witness how thousands of youths from underserved communities in our region reach their full academic potential through SFIC scholarships,” said the organization’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Michelle L. Hartman. “This celebration recognizes and reaffirms how the Fund, through our combined efforts, enhances the lives of students and is an essential part of their success. We are grateful to the supporters who continue to make the invaluable scholarships possible.”
This year marked SFIC’s 40th anniversary, and the Gala recognized five Honorees:
- Kenneth F. Kunzman, Esq., (in memoriam) and Joseph J. Oakes III, Chairman of Acorn Financial Services, co-founders of the organization and recipients of the Founders Award.
- James W. Crawford III, Esq., Vice Admiral, JAGC, U.S. Navy (Ret.), recipient of the Torch of Learning Award.
- Sister June Favata, SC, President of Saint Vincent Academy, recipient of the Fidelity of Faith Award.
- Atlantic Health System’s Overlook Medical Center, recipient of the Vitae Discimus (“We Teach By Our Lives”) Award.
SFIC Board Chairman Joseph Hughes said, “We celebrate the remarkable achievements of our scholarship students and the sacrifices of the families who work and struggle to provide for their education. The students and honorees exemplify our motto: ‘Changing lives through the gift of education.’”
Today’s scholars, tomorrow’s leaders
During the evening’s presentations, SFIC scholarship recipient, Mariano Padilla, a senior at Hudson Catholic Regional High School in Jersey City, spoke and expressed gratitude for the financial support he received through SFIC. He said it allowed him to attend Catholic school, achieve academic and athletic excellence, and realize dreams and new opportunities.
“The SFIC has been one of the greatest assets to fund my education and has set me forth onto my path,” said Mariano, who will attend Pace University this fall. “I will never forget what it has done for me. I can’t wait to do the same in the future (and) give back to young aspiring dreamers and help make their dreams come true, just as you have for me.”
Mariano has made the most of his four years at Hudson Catholic. He is a student ambassador, a member of the varsity soccer team, a lector at school liturgies, and a peer minister, for which he was selected to serve fellow students by example and service, such as helping to feed the hungry. Mariano, who aspires to be an actor, also is the secondary lead in the school’s rendition of Chicago, the Musical. This year, he was recognized with the All-County Player Award for his soccer achievements, the De La Salle Service Award for outstanding service to the community, and a Peer Ministry Completion Certificate.
In a telephone interview with JerseyCatholic.org, Mariano explained that it was important to his parents that he receive a Catholic education, since they, too, were educated in the Catholic tradition in their home country of Peru before emigrating to the United States about 10 years ago. He described his family as “a humble, hardworking Peruvian family,” and said that his parents taught him “the value of the relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Mariano said that the best thing about attending Catholic school was learning to grow closer to God. He recalls, “when I first came to [Hudson Catholic High School], I was trying to identify with what makes a Catholic education so different.” He grew up attending public school in Jersey City Heights, and said that enrolling in a Catholic high school was a novel experience.
Mariano, who will attend Pace University School of Performing Arts in New York City in the fall to pursue his acting dream, said, “I know now that the Catholic education I’ve been given by my parents and SFIC has really allowed me to discover myself, discover my talents, and become closer to God.”
About SFIC
The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) is a non-profit organization funded by corporations, foundations, and individual donors who wish to invest in the future of economically-disadvantaged children living in neighboring communities by subsidizing tuition to Catholic schools. During its 40-year history, SFIC has provided more than 60,000 students in the Catholic schools of The Archdiocese of Newark with partial-tuition assistance and has raised more than $51 million in aid. To learn more or to make a contribution to the SFIC Scholarship Fund, visit www.sficnj.org.
Featured image: A musical performance by the “C-Tonians” comprised of students from Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange performed to a crowd of 400 guests during the SFIC Annual Gala held on May 10 in West Orange.
