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NJ Sharing Network, the non-profit, federally designated organ procurement organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue in the state, has awarded scholarships to nine high school graduates for their passion and dedication to raising awareness of organ and tissue donation. Each student was individually presented with their scholarship award at the NJ Sharing Network’s headquarters in New Providence during a private ceremony in the Landscape of Life Meditation Garden. NJ Sharing Network’s scholarships are made possible thanks to several of the organization’s Foundation family and partner funds: • Betsy Niles Scholarship Fund – created in memory of Betsy Niles, a children’s book editor and lifelong Montclair resident whose organs were donated in 2011. • Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund – created to celebrate Missy Rodriguez’s life-saving liver transplant. • Hearts for Emma Partner Fund – created to celebrate Emma Rothman’s heart transplant and focused on supporting high school education and donation advocacy efforts. • The NJ Sharing Network Foundation presented additional scholarship awards focused on Newark residents to help raise awareness as there are currently 162 Newark residents waiting for a life-saving organ transplant - the highest in the state. “We are delighted to provide scholarship support to these amazing students who have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to supporting our life-saving mission,” said Joe Roth, president and CEO of NJ Sharing Network. “We know they will continue to be strong leaders in educating others about donation and transplantation as they move forward to begin college in the Fall.” NJ Sharing Network’s scholarship program provides an opportunity to recognize and award graduating high school seniors whose lives have been touched by organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Applicants were measured on academic achievement, community and volunteer efforts, extracurricular activities and advocacy for organ and tissue donation. The application process was completed in June, and applications were reviewed by a committee of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board members and volunteers. The 2020-2021 scholarship winners are: • Jessica Buron of Marlboro (2020 graduate of Middletown High School North) received a scholarship from Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund. Jessica is a certified volunteer for NJ Sharing Network and has raised approximately $5,000 for the organization by creating teams for its 5K Celebration of Life events. She plans to attend Baylor University in the Fall. • April Doyle of New Providence (2020 graduate of New Providence High School) received a scholarship from Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund. April was moved to connect with NJ Sharing Network after the unexpected passing of her close childhood friend, Maddie, who gave the gift of life to restore the health of seven people. April is the captain of the Miles for Maddie 5K Celebration of Life team, and she organized fundraisers and has spoken at community events as a certified volunteer for NJ Sharing Network. April plans to attend Stockton University in the Fall. • Morgan Krempasky of Hillsborough (2020 graduate of Hillsborough High School) received a scholarship from the Betsy Niles Scholarship Fund. Morgan was touched by donation when she received a tissue transplant to help repair a torn ligament in her ankle. The transplant has helped Morgan continue a healthy and active lifestyle in helping to lead her high school volleyball team. Morgan has made it her personal mission to support NJ Sharing Network by organizing school-wide volleyball fundraisers and other awareness events in her community. Morgan plans to attend the University of Miami in the Fall. • Ruqaiyyah Lucas-Caldwell of Newark (2020 graduate of Newark Academy) received a scholarship from the NJ Sharing Network Foundation. Ruqaiyyah’s pursuit of a career in medicine was inspired by her Uncle David, who passed away in 2016 and gave the gift of life to others through his organ and tissue donation. Her uncle’s gift reminds her daily of what it means to care for others – especially those who are most-vulnerable and in need. Ruqaiyyah plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania in the Fall. • Kaiel Maynor of Newark (2020 graduate of Science Park High School) received a scholarship from the NJ Sharing Network Foundation. Kaiel experienced the gift of life when her uncle received a life-saving kidney transplant. Kaiel and her family members were overwhelmed with joy to see her uncle back to his lively, bubbly self. Kaiel’s experience has inspired her to focus on a career in medicine and her dream is to become a surgeon. She plans to attend Rutgers University – Newark College of Arts and Sciences in the Fall. • Elexa Rogolsky of Morganville (2020 graduate of Marlboro High School) received a scholarship from the Hearts for Emma Partner Fund. Elexa has been continually organizing activities to promote donation since her father’s life was saved by an organ transplant when she was 8-years-old. Elexa served as the President of MHS’s Donate Life club for four years, served as MHS’s Team Captain for the 5K Celebration of Life and raised more than $20,000 by leading dozens of fundraising events, including bubble releases, and basket and scarf-making activities. Elexa plans to attend the University of Florida in the Fall. • Tiffany Rolon-Lucas of Woodbridge (2020 graduate of Colonia High School) received a scholarship from the Hearts for Emma Partner Fund. Tiffany was met with the biggest hurdle of her young life during her sophomore year when she was diagnosed with degenerative kidney disease. She fought for her life while on dialysis and returned to school with a catheter in her chest and a tube in her stomach. Thanks to a successful kidney transplant, Tiffany is living a healthy and active life, including competing in high school sports. Tiffany plans to attend Seton Hall University in the Fall. • Emily Scranton of Manasquan (2020 graduate of Manasquan High School) received a scholarship from the Betsy Niles Scholarship Fund. Emily was first inspired to advocate for organ and tissue donation after her close friend passed away and his tissue donation helped improve the life of others in need. Emily has served as President of her school’s Donate Life Club and has spearheaded bake sales, fundraisers and other activities to educate her classmates about donation. Emily plans to attend DeSales University in the Fall. • Sydney Shea of Skillman (2020 graduate of Montgomery High School) received a scholarship from the Hearts for Emma Partner Fund. Sydney is a donor recipient who received life-changing ligament reconstruction surgery on both of her knees. She is forever grateful for her donor and has led peer group discussions and a school-wide presentation to promote organ and tissue donation. Sydney plans to attend Bucknell University in the Fall.