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More than 80 family, friends and Tri-County Scholarship Fund Board of Trustees members attended a surprise birthday Mass and brunch on Tuesday, May 22 at Christ the King Church in Morristown to honor TCSF co-founder and extraordinary businessman Mr. Edward Hennessy. The Mass was presided over by the Most Reverend Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson. Hennessy was recognized by TCSF for his devotion to our mission, which he co-founded in 1981 with then Bishop of Paterson, Frank Joseph Rodimer. In its 37 years, TCSF has provided over $25 million in partial financial scholarships to financially disadvantaged children in Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties, enabling them to attend accredited K-12 private and parochial schools. Pictured in the photo (left to right) are the following: Fr. Brian Sullivan, pastor of Christ the King Church in New Vernon, seated is the Most Reverend Bishop Frank Rodimer, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, and Co-Founder of Tri-County Scholarship Fund who is next to Edward Hennessy, Co-Founder of Tri-County Scholarship Fund and standing is the Most Reverend Arthur Serratelli, Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson.

Photos by:  www.gilliandeakphotography.com

More than $100,000 Raised for Freedom Scholars Program PARSIPPANY, NJ – More than $100,000 was raised as four successful women were honored yesterday at the 6th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon benefiting Tri-County Scholarship Fund’s Freedom Scholars Program. The New Jersey non-profit – which annually provides 400+ scholarships for many of the state’s most financially disadvantaged children, enabling them to attend accredited K-12 values-based private and parochial schools – hosted the fundraiser on Thursday, April 12 at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, NJ. The 6th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon began at 11:00 a.m. and was co-chaired by Ann Marie Manahan and Joseph Gonnella, the Chief Development Officer for the Boy Scouts of America Patriots’ Path Council. More than 250 attended the event, which directly benefits Tri-County’s Freedom Scholars program –a partnership between Tri-County, schools, and families which assists financially disadvantaged high school students so they are able to afford values-centered, high-performing private schools and also helps them from their Freshman through their Senior year with mentoring, tutoring, college prep courses and more. Honored at the 2018 luncheon are the following: Rosemary Mercedes (Union City, Hudson County), Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of Univision Communications, Inc.; Rebecca Levy, Esq. (Woodcliff Lake, Bergen County), General Counsel for Summit Medical Group, PA and Chief Legal Officer of Summit Health Management, LLC.; Reema Puri (Hunterdon County), Vice President of Human Resources for Nevakar, Inc.; and Denise Flanagan (Harding Township, Morris County), Broker and Sales Consultant with Coldwell Banker. “We couldn’t be more pleased to honor these four amazing women, all of whom are passionate about the Tri-County Scholarship Fund mission and support us in so many different ways,” explained Prudence Pigott, President of Tri-County Scholarship Fund. “Their work and efforts are inspiring to all who encounter them – especially our students – and we thank them for all they have accomplished.” Rosemary Mercedes is the first Chief Communications Officer for Univision Communications, Inc., the leading media company serving Hispanic America and the rising diverse, American mainstream. She defines Univision’s overall communication strategy and she has played an integral role in building and executing some of Univision’s most successful communications and awareness campaigns in the past 10 years. Her impact has been recognized by the industry a number of times throughout her career; most recently Mercedes was named the 2017 Pioneer of the Year by the Hispanic Public Relations Association. She was named to The Holmes Report’s 2016 List of Rising Communications Leaders in North America, among the Top Women in PR by PR News, and as one of the Top 40 Under 40 PR Professionals in the U.S. by PR Week magazine. Rebecca Levy, Esq. has served as Summit Medical Group, P.A.’s General Counsel since 2011. In 2014, she was also named the Chief Legal Officer of Summit Health Management, LLC, an entity that offers a population health-focused model of management services to healthcare organizations in New Jersey, Arizona and Oregon. Levy is responsible for oversight of all legal and compliance matters and she is also responsible for oversight of the Human Resources Department, the Risk Management and Patient Safety Department, the Coding Compliance Department and the Summit Medical Group Foundation. Levy also serves as the Vice President of the Summit Medical Group Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. She was named a New Jersey SuperLawyers “Rising Star” in 2010 and 2011, was listed among NJ Biz magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2014 and was a finalist in NJBiz magazine’s General Counsel of the Year awards in 2015. Reema Puri serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at Nevakar, Inc., a company that she helped found and grow along with her husband, Navneet.  Nevakar is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative products in the injectable and ophthalmic space. With more than 15 years of combined experience within the Pharma industry, Puri has had tremendous success in Research & Development and Human Resources. Puri has parlayed her expertise in helping young women in New Jersey by mentoring and serving as an Advisory Board member at the New Jersey Women in STEM Entrepreneurship & Innovation Challenge. In fact, she is recently the recipient of the 2018 AWISN New Jersey Women in STEM Mentoring Award. In addition, the Puri Family supports educational endowments for graduate students at Rutgers University and Reema is on the board of Vedic Samaj, where she is the President and also serves as a Board of Trustees member. Denise Flanagan is a very successful real estate professional, in addition to being a trusted colleague, friend, mentor, and community volunteer. Her many accomplishments include being a certified Real Estate Broker, a Manager/Broker of Record, a member of the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, and a Certified Tax Assessor. She has consistently been a recipient of many awards and honors including the Million Dollar Sales Club from 1984-1991 with Schlott Realtors and from 1992-1994 with Coldwell Banker. While with Coldwell Banker, Flanagan received the North Central Jersey Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence Gold Level in 2005 and from 2007-2012 as well as the Silver Level in 2006. She has been in the President’s Elite Top 1% Worldwide and in the New Jersey Association of Realtors Distinguished Sales Club. Since 1979, a span of thirty-four years, Denise has sold over 1,000 homes, an average of 25-30 homes a year. The annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon is just one fundraiser hosted to benefit Tri-County Scholarship Fund. The organization will host its 5th Annual Lawyers for Tri-County Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 10 at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, NJ. Following, Tri-County will host the 26th Annual Tri-County Golf Invitational at Morris County Golf Club in Morristown, NJ on Monday, June 4. Details regarding these events can be found at http://www.tcsfund.org/news-events/ or by calling 973-984-9600.

Speaking with DeAndre Tomlinson revealed a young man who is extremely intelligent and well-spoken yet humble. A Sophmore at Notre Dame, on track to graduate in 2020, DeAndre recently declared his major, Scientific Computing, described as “an indispensable part of almost all scientific investigation and technological development.” His course of study will be combined with the rigors of a pre-med track. And if that’s not enough of a challenge, DeAndre double majors in Spanish. Desiring to learn about Global Health in a Spanish-speaking environment, DeAndre applied for and received a generous grant from the Kellogg Institute. This past summer, he worked in a state-run hospital in Quito, Ecuador where he researched the differences between the Ecuadorian and American health systems. From an early age, DeAndre was highly motivated to succeed. He maintained a 4.0 GPA all through his years at Paramus Catholic and participated in Model Congress as well as attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He credits his mom, Carolene with motivating him, giving him a “good sense of morals and keeping me focused,” he says. Coming from a hard-working family of Jamaican immigrants living in Paterson, DeAndre says, “Being lazy is not an option…I saw people doing these great things and I wanted to emulate that.” DeAndre struggled to find balance and success during his first semester at University of Notre Dame. Having decided to take 21 credits as well as participate in marching band, he found the intensity of course work and activities difficult to manage. “First semester was a real transition. Something had to give and sometimes it was a homework assignment,” admits DeAndre. He knew he needed assistance. Dr. Thomas Anderson, Chairman of Romance Languages at Notre Dame became DeAndre’s trusted mentor. DeAndre wanted advice and listened well. Anderson advised him on how “to juggle requirements and time commitments,” how to feel less overwhelmed and even counseled him on some basics many Freshman can overlook, like advice “to sleep enough, eat well, and get exercise, and I think he took it to heart,” says Anderson. Calling his attitude, “refreshing,” Anderson says of DeAndre, “He’s made it very far already and he’s going to succeed in many ways.” DeAndre certainly values Dr. Anderson’s guidance. “I learned so much from him and now I know what know the limits of what I can and cannot do in one day,” says DeAndre. In addition, he credits his achievements to Tri-County’s support. “Tri-County came into my life and I connected with people who knew the way to success…Tri-County has played a significant role in my life. It’s what led me to Notre Dame,” says DeAndre. And for that, he is very grateful.

Highlights of the 2017 Annual Awards Dinner

Even as a young child Natalia Guzman always knew that she wanted to help others. At the age of 3, she saw her mom, Teresa, successfully battle leukemia. Afterwards, Natalia became aware of several close family members in El Salvador who had passed away due to diabetes. These events provided inspiration for Natalia to want to study Medicine and become a Pediatrician as well as a Physician Nutrition Specialist. The Tri-County Scholarship Fund played an important role in her life, providing partial scholarships that enabled her to attend Mary Help of Christian’s Academy for several years. “I want to help prevent illnesses before people get sick,” says Natalia.  Her participation as a high school student intern at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson provided an inspirational and educational experience. Currently a Rutgers Nutritional Sciences major, Natalia is on track to graduate in 2020 and plans to go on to medical school. According to Dr. Thomas Haring, Mary Help Director of Student Services, “Natalia ranked in the top 5 graduates of the 2016 senior class, maintaining a 97.78% grade average during her high school years, all while challenging herself with a varied course load. Taking nothing for granted, Natalia says, “I took it seriously right from my freshman year.  I knew I had to work hard.  That opened doors to a lot of opportunities.” Natalia also volunteered as a senior citizen aide and served as an Ambassador, promoting her school to prospective students.  She did all of this while managing school volleyball and softball teams and dance cheering for Don Bosco’s baseball team. Natalia was inspired by the values and work ethic demonstrated by her parents. Her mother is a teacher’s assistant in a day care, and her father, a night-shift textile worker. They work extremely hard and are grateful and ecstatic about all 3 of their children’s successes. “They remind us how hard they worked so we can be successful and not have to struggle as much as they did,” says Natalia. The constant support she receives serves to “motivate and inspire me to keep going.”  Dr. Haring attests to Natalia’s “modest and natural personality,” causing her to be “highly respected by faculty and her peers.” Natalia said her relationships with Tri-County donors greatly inspired her to do well. “They were so nice and willing to get to know me on a personal level. Hearing the speakers and students talk at Tri-County events made me glad to have the opportunity from Tri-County to attend a private school. I hope that one day I can give back as they did,” says Natalia.

Tri-County Scholarship Fund featured on Univision.

Parsippany, NJ – October 1, 2017 – The Board of the Trustees of the Tri-County Scholarship Fund has appointed Prudence Pigott to the position of President.  Pigott previously served as a trustee for Tri-County, since 2015. “Prudence has brought a lot of energy and new ideas to our organization as a trustee.  We know she will bring that same level of commitment and passion to the job of President,” said Tim Duffy, Chair of Tri-County Scholarship Fund, and Founding Partner of the law firm of Coughlin Duffy in Morristown.  “Our board is enthusiastic about what Tri-County will be able to accomplish with Prudence’s leadership, as we work toward helping even more financially disadvantaged students.” “I am honored to be working with an outstanding board of trustees and generous supporters,” said Pigott.  “We all care about making a difference in the lives of the neediest young people in New Jersey, many of them living in the inner-city.  We do this by giving these students the opportunity to attend quality, values-based schools.  I embrace the goal to increase the number of scholarships we can award each year; to help more students off our waiting list and into quality schools.” Pigott has 20 years of experience in philanthropic fundraising, with a particular emphasis in causes benefiting children, Catholic education, and healthcare.  Her most recent efforts have been in support of St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown, and for Morristown Medical Center for which she co-chaired the 2014 Mansion In May at Blairsden, raising $2 million for a new pediatric intensive care unit and new Autism Center.  Pigott’s volunteer experience includes fundraising for Oak Knoll School in Summit, Delbarton School in Morristown, and for Princeton University. Pigott is a graduate of Stanford University, and holds an MBA from the University of California Los Angeles.  Pigott completed a certificate in college guidance counseling from UCLA and  practiced as an independent college guidance counselor, working with high school students.  She began her professional career in advertising, and later worked on Wall Street.  A resident of Far Hills, New Jersey, she and her husband, Terry, have four grown children. The mission of Tri-County Scholarship Fund is to award needs-based scholarships to K-12th grade students from low-income families residing in Northern New Jersey, enabling them to attend high-quality, values-based private schools of their choice.  This past year almost 400 deserving, hard-working students received scholarships.  Tri-County was founded in 1981.  Currently 100% of Tri-County seniors graduate, and 98% of graduates go on to college.  Many are first in their families to attend college.

Parsippany, NJ  – September 28, 2017 –   Tri-County Scholarship Fund will celebrate 36 years of helping financially needy students in Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties at its annual Gala Awards Dinner on November 6, 2017 at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany.  This year’s gala will honor Paul J. Krump, Executive Vice President of Chubb Group and President, North America Commercial and Personal Insurance, and Dr. Bonita Stanton, Founding Dean of Seton Hall / Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.  The annual Making A Difference Award will be presented to Justin Marcucci, Chief Digital officer of Endava, the international digital marketing firm with local headquarters in Mendham, New Jersey. The mission of Tri-County Scholarship Fund is to provide financial support for deserving students to obtain a quality, values-based education to accredited private elementary and secondary schools.  Each year Tri-County awards Kindergarten – 12th grade scholarships to 400 students at over 50 different schools.  Over the past 35+ years, $26 million have been raised by the organization and more than 31,000 scholarships awarded to needy children.  Scholarship recipients have gone on to the top colleges in New Jersey and throughout the country with Tri-County graduates currently attending Georgetown, Rutgers, Notre Dame, Seton Hall University, Colgate, UCLA, Cornell, and Penn State, to name just a few. “Tri-County is currently able to fund scholarships for 400 students each year, but we have another 2,000 students on the waiting list,” said Tim Duffy, Tri-County Chairman and Managing Partner of Coughlin Duffy in Morristown.  “I call this ‘the cause of all causes’ because I can think of nothing more meaningful than helping needy children to get an education and a better life.  By helping one child at a time, the ripple effect is enormous – touching the family, the community, and improving the lives of generations to come.” Those interested in supporting Tri-County’s mission are invited to attend the November 6 Gala Awards Dinner, proceeds from which go directly to funding future scholarships.  Ads for the dinner tribute journal are being accepted through October 16.  Gala event and ad journal information, as well as tickets available for purchase, can be found at www.tcsfund.org or by calling the Tri-County offices at: 973-984-9600.

In 2012, Tri-County Scholarship Fund began the Freedom Scholars Program.  The name flows from Tri-County’s tag line of “Freedom Through Education.”  This program is for the top 10% of scholarship applicants to Tri-County.  They are graduating 8th graders with a “B” or better average.  Most have an “A” average.  Beyond academics, however, spirit, deportment, engagement, commitment and teacher recommendations determine who becomes a Freedom Scholar. Freedom Scholars are awarded a $5,000 annual scholarship which is matched by 8 participating high schools. In 2013 the first Women of Achievement luncheon was held.  The following year, the Lawyers for Tri-County dinner began.  These two events have become highlights of Tri-County’s calendar and a major source of funding for the Freedom Scholars program.  At the May, 2017 Lawyers for Tri-County dinner, John Dughi of Dughi, Hewit and Domalewski announced that his firm was offering a $50,000 challenge grant in order to support the Freedom Scholars program. 2017 Women of Achievement honorees were Mary Campbell of Suez; Michellene Davis of RWJ Barnabas Health; Theresa de Leon of PNC Wealth Management and Evelyn Padin, Esq. 2017 Lawyers honorees were Paulette Brown of Locke Lord; Thomas Moriarty of CVS Health Corporation; the Honorable Michael Shipp, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the law firm of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney and Carpenter. Top Tri-County scholars in recent years have received scholarships to Cornell, Colgate, Drew, Georgetown, Rutgers, Villanova, Columbia and Notre Dame, among others. Please help us raise $50,000 to match the challenge grant by donating here!