Joseph Heilmann and Charles Lovett of South Plainfield High School have been named recipients of the 2018 Marisa Tufaro Foundation Greater Middlesex Conference Student-Athlete Scholarship.
A total of four recipients, one who was announced earlier this week and another who will receive the scholarship next week, were selected from an outstanding pool of applicants.
The scholarship is funded through donations made to The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, a tax-exempt nonprofit Marisa’s parents, Cyndi and Greg, established in their daughter’s loving memory to help children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
The scholarship rewards Greater Middlesex Conference varsity student-athletes for their performance on the field and in the classroom, for their community service and for their ability to overcome challenges.
Those eligible for the scholarship were required to pursue their aspirations with passion, integrity, character and respect for others.
Joseph, one of the best wrestlers in school history, will attend the University of North Carolina, where he plans to major in economics or business. Charles, a star football player who also competed for the tennis team, will attend Howard University, where he will major in computer science.
“Both Charles and Joe really epitomize everything that’s great about South Plainfield and what the scholarship represents,” South Plainfield High School principal Ronnie Spring said. “They are leaders in the community and leaders in school. Academically, they are constantly performing at a high level, as they are on the athletic field or on the wrestling mat. Most importantly, they are good people that go above and beyond – not just academically, not just athletically, but in life. They go above and beyond to help others. They go above and beyond in the community. They go above and beyond for the school environment as a whole. It would be hard for me to picture two more well-deserving students than both Charles and Joe. I know they are going to continue to represent South Plainfield and everything that the scholarship represents well into the future.”
Greg Tufaro, a sports writer for the Home News Tribune who has covered Charles and Joseph during their careers, and Senator Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., a member of the South Plainfield High School Hall of Fame who serves on The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s board of trustees, presented the scholarships to Joseph and Charles at the high school on Thursday, along with a commemorative plaque.
South Plainfield Schools Superintendent Noreen Lishak, athletics director Kevin McCann, head football coach Gary Cassio, head wrestling coach Bill Pavlak and Spring attended the presentation.
An honor roll student and member of the Spanish Honor Society, Joseph holds a 3.6 grade-point average. On the wrestling mat, he compiled a 164-11 career record while medaling three times in the state tournament, placing runner-up in the event at 126 pounds last season. His volunteerism includes involvement with Toys for Tots, Special Olympics, Sacred Heart Church (soup kitchen), youth wrestling practices and participating in a book drive to raise awareness about educating the homeless. Earlier this year, Heilmann was a recipient of the Greater Middlesex Conference Wrestling Coaches Association’s Scholar-Wrestler scholarship.
“Joe and the Heilmann family are really involved in the community,” South Plainfield wrestling coach Bill Pavlak said. “They’ve been a part of the South Plainfield wrestling program for the last 15 years. He definitely deserves the award. He’s the male scholar-athlete from our school representing South Plainfield for the Greater Middlesex Conference. Obviously, he’s done a lot with wrestling. He’s going to follow in his brothers’ footsteps (Nick and Troy) at the University of North Carolina, and hopefully have a successful academic and wrestling career.”
Charles maintains a 3.95 grade-point average while taking advanced placement and honors courses. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. He is a role model through the district’s Heroes and Cool Kids Club. Charles is a member of the high school’s orchestra and robotics team. He captained the football and tennis teams.
“He is a genuinely kind and considerate young man who has dedicated much time to community service,” a South Plainfield staff member wrote in a letter of recommendation on Charles’ behalf for the scholarship. “Always willing to lend a helping hand, Charles serves as a volunteer with Kappa Alpha Phi, collecting canned good for the less fortunate. He has also assisted with the organization and set up of the South Plainfield Tint Sprint and Wellness Fair for three years.”
As a three-year varsity football letterwinner, Charles played quarterback, wide receiver, safety and outside linebacker. He endured what was believed to be a season-ending injury in the second week of the 2017 campaign. Diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome after an injury to his thigh, Lovett required emergency surgery. He rehabbed and returned to the field to play in South Plainfield’s season fi
nale against North Plainfield on Thanksgiving Day.
“He fought to come back … played on one leg and he still recorded eight tackles,” Cassio said. “That’s the type of kid he is. After this little photo shoot (at South Plainfield for the scholarship), he’s headed to the middle school to meet with kids for a seminar on bullying, to talk to the younger kids. He works 30 hours a week right now at the movie theater. He’s a coach’s dream. He’s a great kid, and I’m going to miss him.”
Marisa Tufaro, who would have been a high school freshman this year, died last year after complications from a heart transplant developed into a rare form of cancer, to which she succumbed following a valiant fight.
She was born with a complex cardiac defect that required six open-heart surgeries. Despite keeping hundreds of doctor’s appointments and being hospitalized for more than two years, Marisa lived a vibrant life that inspired.
Marisa was an honor roll student at Herbert Hoover Middle School and James Monroe Elementary School, where she served as student council vice president and was involved in numerous extracurricular activities.
The foundation is honored to be able to give back through its annual scholarship to the Greater Middlesex Conference, which has been among our nonprofit’s biggest supporters.
We are grateful for the role the league’s student-athletes play in assisting Middlesex County children and others in need.
Our foundation, established less than 10 months ago, has already made a profound impact. Through the generosity of our supporters, we have …
- Collected thousands of toys for pediatric patients at Saint Peter’s University Children’s Hospital and Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital.
- Funded the purchase of brand new metal bunk beds for campers at Kiddie Keep Well Camp, which serves more than 600 underserved Middlesex County children annually.
- Supported instruction and supplies for an art therapy program at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital, to which the foundation also provided funds for infant mobiles, toy cars staff use to transport children to the operating room for surgery and bubbles to be included in welcome bags.
- Provided money for equipment and supplies for students with disabilities who utilize the Lakeview School’s newly constructed aquatics center.
- Provided medical alert bracelets to children with autism and pediatric patients with chronic illness who receive outstanding care from Children’s Specialized Hospital, which annually serves more than 34,000 children statewide.
- Partially funded the Make-A-Wish of a Middlesex County boy who is winning a battle with high-risk neuroblastoma.
- Provided physical therapy at Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center and Project Walk for Middlesex County children whose families do not have health insurance or whose families’ health insurer does not cover the cost of the physical therapy.
- Raised money and collected nonperishable food items to benefit Middlesex County children and their families through Hands of Hope via our foundation’s participation in the Race to Outrun Hunger.
- Provided meals and goods for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Central Jersey.
- Assisted families whose children are in medical crisis, providing financial support through the payment of medical and/or personal expenses to help lessen the burden of parents who have lost wages while spending time at the hospital.
- Partnered with James Monroe Elementary School to fill “Weekend Snack Bags” for pediatric patients and their families.
- Conducted a coat drive for Middlesex County children.
- Provided gift cards for pediatric patients and their families.
- Provided scholarships for Middlesex County students.