27th Annual TCSF Awards Dinner

Ralph LaRossa Honored at 27th Annual TCSF Awards Dinner

The Twenty-Seventh Annual Awards Dinner for Tri-County Scholarship Fund celebrated the accomplishments of scholarship recipients and honored Ralph LaRossa, President and Chief Operating Officer of Public Service Electric & Gas, for the commitment he and PSE&G have demonstrated to education. Some 500 students, trustees, educators and guests attended the gala event that raised over $616,000 for scholarships for economically disadvantaged children in northern New Jersey.

Three scholarship recipients delivered inspirational speeches.

• Mario Vitola, an eighth grade student at St. Brendan School, won the essay contest about how Tri-County Scholarship Fund impacted his life. Mario presented his winning essay.
• David Ortiz spoke about the importance of the educational foundation he received as a former Tri-County Scholarship recipient that allowed him to graduate from Rutgers University with a major in Labor Management and Employee Relations and establish a career at PSE&G.
• Essence Townsend spoke of how scholarship assistance from TCSF contributed to both her academic and athletic success at Paterson Catholic Regional High School, paving the way for acceptance to the University of Maryland where she received a full athletic scholarship to play basketball for the Lady Terps.

These were just three of many compelling stories where scholarship assistance from TCSF has helped to change lives.

After the Hall of Fame Award was presented by Tri-county chairman Jim Elliott, Ralph LaRossa spoke about the value of education, hard work and persistence in developing and applying the skills necessary for success at work and in life.

The evening was also highlighted by performances by the Paterson Catholic Gospel Choir, the Ozi and Lucas guitar duet and the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company.

Tri-County Scholarship Fund sincerely thanks everyone who contributed time, money and effort to make the event a success. There is no contribution that is too small or too large for there are many students that need the scholarship assistance that Tri-County Scholarship Fund provides.

If you are interested in being a part of our efforts to bring education to disadvantaged youth in New Jersey, please contact Gregory Floyd, President of Tri-County Scholarship Fund, at 973-984-9600 to discuss how you can support the scholarship program.

Meanwhile, mark your calendars for Monday, October 26, to attend the 2009 Annual Awards Dinner.

It's for the future! It's for the kids! Be a part of it!
Tri-County Scholarship Fund