ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD

In honor of true Warriors for Life, Mr. and Mrs. Carl and Theresa Wade, the Academic Excellence Award is a scholarship designed to support a Franklin Township 12th Grade student, first year Undergraduate student, or first year vocational or trade school student in their post high school academic goals, who has achieved academic success in the classroom.

FINANCIAL NEED/ PERSONAL TRAGEDY AWARD

In honor of a true Warrior for Life, Ms. Myra A. Mitchell, the Financial Need or Personal Tragedy Award is a scholarship designed to support a Franklin Township 12th Grade students, first year Undergraduate students, or first year vocational or trade school students who is facing or has faced significant hardship in their lives, whether personal of financial, and requires assistance with achieving their post high school academic goals.

LEGACY AWARD

Mr. Bruce Medley was a respected figure at Rutgers Athletics, mentor,  recreation coordinator in Franklin Township, and  basketball All-American in his youth.  

Mr. Medley was born in East Orange. He lived there as a child and graduated from East Orange High School where he excelled at Basketball. He furthered his education at Morris County College and Ramapo College where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. He also received an Associate's Degree in Substance Abuse Education. While at Ramapo, Mr. Medley's skills as a basketball athlete blossomed. He scored over one thousand points during his career there and over five hundred rebounds. His efforts gained him a Division III All-American award and he ultimately was inducted into the Ramapo Athletic Hall of Fame. 

After graduating, Bruce continued his basketball career for a brief time with the New Jersey Nets, then played professionally in South America. He came back to the United States and took a position as Assistant Coach for the Ramapo Basketball program from 1994-1996. Bruce began his career working as a Case Worker for Catholic Charities in Edison, Paterson, and Bridgewater. His love of coaching, mentoring, and being a positive influence on youth led to a shift in his career. 

Bruce began his career in Franklin Township working as a Recreation Coordinator in 2002 and would later become the Franklin Youth Initiative (FYI) Coordinator, where he worked with the Boys Council, Franklin Youth Initiative programs and services, Teen Recreation, the Teen Drop-In Center, and the building of the Youth Center. His commitment, impact, and dedication to Franklin Youth was inspiring

Bruce also was an Event Staff Supervisor at Rutgers University where he was responsible for escorting and accompanying coaching staff and guests during athletic events. He gained a tremendous amount of respect from not only the Rutgers University Athletic Staff but from most opposing teams coaching staff and athletes due to how well he treated people.

HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE (HBCU) AWARD

In honor of true Warriors for Life Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm and Barbara Bernard the Warrior for Life HBCU Award is a scholarship designed to support a Franklin Township 12th Grade student aspiring to attend an HBCU post high school graduation or a first year Historically Black College or University Undergraduate student.

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The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary of Education to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents. These institutions train young people who go on to serve domestically and internationally in the professions as entrepreneurs and in the public and private sectors.