WEST ORANGE, NJ - It was an exciting night at West Orange High School as the annual Senior Awards Night on May 30 recognized students for academic excellence and community service while distributing over $200,000 in scholarships.
Principal Oscar Guerrero began the evening by greeting students, families, and benefactors.
"Welcome to the Class of 2024 Senior Awards Night. This is truly a remarkable evening where we get to honor our finest and hardest-working students for their contributions to West Orange High School. I would like to thank in advance all the benefactors here with us this evening who are awarding our students scholarships or other awards. Without you, such an event like this evening would not be possible. To the Class of 2024, may this only be the beginning of an inspiring journey ahead for you. We can only wish that you continue to be blessed with opportunities and the generosity of others as they support you."
Since 1923, the West Orange Scholarship Fund has provided graduating seniors with $1.9 million in scholarship dollars, funded by local organizations and community members in honor of family and friends. The Fund received 200 applications for scholarships this year, the highest number to date, and was able to provide 82 scholarships to 142 students. This year's total amount of $163,500 was given out to 69 percent of the applicants.
WOSF Secretary Tynia Thomassie urged parents and students to learn the stories behind the scholarships students received, noting that "they were all very special people."
UNICO provided $36,000 in scholarships, the CJ Morgan Foundation distributed scholarships to 25 students, and the Nikhil Badlani Foundation awarded $25,000 in scholarships.
CJ Morgan Sr. offered words of advice to the seniors by quoting his late son CJ's words, "Everybody love everybody."
Sunil Badlani, emotional as he described the mission of the Nikhil Badlani Foundation, said, "Be bold and courageous, and never underestimate your ability to make a difference."
Both the CJ Morgan and Nikhil Badlani Foundations were formed following the tragic deaths of CJ Morgan in 2019 and Nikhil Badlani in 2011.
Following the student awards and scholarship distribution, Class of 2024 Salutatorian Kayla Mengden and Valedictorian Emily Lossman received their sashes for graduation, which will be held at Codey Arena on June 20 beginning at 7:00 pm.
SEE ALL THE PHOTOS FROM SENIOR AWARDS NIGHT HERE. (Photos are in order of awards)
SEE ALL THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS AND THEIR AWARDS HERE.
VIEW THE PROGRAM HERE.
Top academic recipients in each subject
Assistant Principal Kimberly Mancarella, Salutatorian Kayla Mengden, Valedictorian Emily Lossman, Principal Oscar Guerrero
