Brody Kist was honored as one of two recipients of the seventh annual Woodbridge High School Marisa Tufaro Memorial Scholarship during a senior awards ceremony at the high school on Monday night.
Through its benevolence, Woodbridge High School fully funds the scholarship in Marisa’s honor and loving memory.
The scholarship is awarded to two exceptional seniors who strive for excellence academically, athletically, or in the arts, who overcame adversity (not limited to medical challenges) and who epitomize the caring spirit that Marisa’s family believes makes the Woodbridge school-community special.
More than 110 students who were celebrated during the ceremony received scholarships totaling more than $66,000.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is honored that the annual Woodbridge High School memorial scholarships were awarded to Brody and Gianna Orten, two outstanding recipients who embody Marisa’s indomitable spirit (you can read a story about Gianna here).
Born with a complex cardiac defect, Marisa survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2017 following a valiant battle. She was just 13 years old. Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, Marisa was an honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.
The varsity soccer team’s starting goalkeeper as a junior, Brody entered his senior season coming off an appendectomy. He split time between the posts with a teammate before closing out the campaign as Woodbridge’s starting netminder.
A positive role model for teammates on the field, as well as students in the high school, Brody was a fantastic leader and motivator. He attended practice daily with a smile on his face, boots in his hands and determination for improvement. Brody displayed maturity, integrity, and dedication to the program. A kind and personable student, he treated peers and faculty members with consideration and respect. A calming influence on the field, Brody proved he can face any challenge in the years ahead and attain success.
Three months ago, Brody’s beloved father, Howard William Kist Jr., affectionately known as “Chuck,” passed away. A devoted father of three, including Brody’s siblings Corrine and Braiden, and loving husband of 27 years to Christine, Chuck coached several youth sports in the township, but his biggest passion was soccer. Chuck dedicated more than two decades of his life to the Woodbridge program, coaching hundreds of youth players.
“Chuck ran the travel program for Woodbridge Township and had a big influence on Brody and our entire program,” Woodbridge High School varsity soccer coach Anthony Clarke said. “I know Chuck is looking down on Brody and is really proud of him.”
Clarke described Brody as “a great person to be around,” noting that “everyone loved being around Brody” and that “Brody loved being around everyone.” Clarke said Brody, “was always willing to give it his all for the team.”
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is eternally grateful for the support it has received from Woodbridge High School, which has hosted the Greater Middlesex Conference All-Star basketball doubleheader, the Tecmo Bowl for Tufaro, a Pictures with Santa event, and sponsored the Marisa Tufaro Classic bowling tournament as fundraisers.
In addition, the school community has donated money raised from a dress down day and the entire gate from three of its football team’s home openers to the nonprofit. Woodbridge is also the host of this year’s Marisa Rose Bowl charity all-star football game.
Countless student-athletes from multiple sports have participated in other fundraising events that benefited The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.
Donations from administrators, faculty, staff, and parents have enabled the nonprofit to fulfill its mission of helping pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
In less than six years, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated nearly $300,000 and spearheaded multiple community initiatives, resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies, and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value.
Woodbridge High School has also played an enormous and vital role in helping the nonprofit collect items for donation.
As if the school-community has not done enough, it continues to open its collective hearts every year with the annual scholarship in Marisa’s name.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation would like to extend its sincere appreciation and deepest gratitude to Woodbridge Township School District Superintendent Joseph Massimino, the Board of Education, the high school’s guidance department, its scholarship selection committee, faculty, staff, and administration, especially Principal Scott Osborne, Vice Principal Mary Panko, Vice Principal Lee Mosko, Guidance Department Head Kevin Kane, and Athletics Director Joe Ward.
Marisa’s parents, Cyndi and Greg, hope the gift Woodbridge High School has given their family, which is the ability to keep alive Marisa’s memory and honor her legacy through this scholarship, will be returned exponentially.
They wish all the graduating seniors continued success in their future endeavors and will ask Marisa to watch over them.