Kylie Passman played field hockey and softball at Piscataway High School, so she’s used to the value of teamwork. It came in handy in a surprising forum – while she was tutoring ESL students in English.

“The kids would help each other,” she said. “We would play games in English, have conversations to get everybody acclimated. It was such a cool community to be part of.”

Passman worked with a group of five Spanish-speaking classmates at Piscataway High, and when one student got stuck, the others rallied behind them.

“It was really rewarding and interesting – I felt inspired by them to learn another language,” she said. “That’s an amazing thing to do – and very hard.”

Passman is no stranger to overcoming challenges. While balancing two sports, school choir and an impressive amount of service activities – including organizing a blood drive, mentoring freshmen and volunteering at Ronald McDonald House in New Brunswick – she worked through some personal adversity.

“I was in treatment for mental health challenges throughout sophomore year,” she said. “During that time I really learned how to advocate for myself, and I had a lot of support as well. The importance of that support has made me really grateful, and this experience with mental health has opened my eyes to how I want to help people who maybe don’t have the same resources I do.”

That’s why she wants to become a child therapist and plans to study education and psychology at The College of New Jersey. She heads there as a recipient of a Marisa Tufaro Foundation Greater Middlesex Conference Student-Athlete Scholarship.

“What truly has impressed me is her innate goodness,” Piscataway field hockey coach and dean of students Cynthia Botett wrote in a letter of recommendation. “In a world where people consistently pursue greatness, Kylie has prioritized goodness along the way.”

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation presents the scholarship in honor of its namesake to exceptional high school student-athletes who support the nonprofit’s mission of assisting pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

Born with a severe 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 doctors’ appointments, Marisa was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.

Since its inception in 2017, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated nearly $450,000, including $42,000 in scholarships, plus thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies, children’s books and school supplies.

“I am confident that Kylie embodies Marisa’s spirit,” Botett wrote. “And that spirit will continue to inspire Kylie with her future endeavors and assist her in becoming a pillar of society.”

Passman offered thanks to her mother, sister, friends, teachers and coaches for their support along the way. She’s paid it forward in numerous ways already.

As a tutor, she helped about 20 fellow student-athletes with English and math, in addition to working with five Spanish-speaking ESL students on learning English. As a peer leader at Piscataway High the past two years, she mentored freshmen and helped them get acclimated to high school.

“That’s part of the reason why I’ve been interested in children’s development,” Passman said. “I find children and teenagers so interesting, and I really enjoy hearing about their lives and helping them.”

All the while, she captained the Chiefs’ field hockey team despite never having picked up a stick before high school. She also played softball and sang in the school choir, performing at Disney World and at Carnegie Hall as a first soprano.

In addition, Passman chaired a blood drive for the high school’s National Honor Society, enlisting 200 donors over two sessions. And as a member of Girl Scout Troop 80328, she prepared meals and hung holiday decorations at Ronald McDonald House in New Brunswick, which provides lodging for kids and their families as they visit nearby hospitals.

Owner of a 4.0 grade-point average, Passman is on her way to The College of New Jersey with a goal of helping kids who are dealing with challenges.

“I’m a strong believer that everyone who needs help deserves it, and shouldn’t be ostracized or not able to get it,” she said. “That’s been a really big part of why I strive to do what I want to do with my career.”