The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is honored to announce that Peyton Satkovich, a seventh grader from Sayreville Middle School, has been selected as one of five students from Middlesex County to receive a 2026 Marisa Tufaro Memorial Art Scholarship.

The scholarship entitles Peyton to attend a weeklong art camp this summer at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum, where Marisa previously honed her craft and where her artwork was once displayed at an exhibit.

Peyton possesses a vibrant personality and smile that lights up the room. Her enthusiasm translates directly into her artistic output. Peyton impressed her art teacher from the first lesson with a willingness to take risks and an openness to accept constructive feedback.

Peyton excels at drawing and shading skills, especially drawing realistic felines. Her attention to detail is incredible. She consistently demonstrates remarkable dedication, curiosity, and the organizational skills required to manage complex projects from initial concept to final completion.

Peyton’s commitment to her craft is further evidenced by her recent acceptance into the Middlesex County Arts High School program. Starting this month, she will participate in a specialized release-time program for gifted and talented students.

Rutgers University’s summer art camp allows artists (ages 7-14) of various ability levels to explore their creative side and develop new skills alongside wonderful teaching artists in a unique setting only an art museum can provide. Children often find inspiration in the museum’s collection as they explore the galleries.

According to Rutgers University’s website: “During the hot days of summer, the Zimmerli is the place to be for budding young artists. Each year, new classes are added to stimulate, challenge and delight both veteran and newcomers who participate in the program. The Zimmerli continues to offer its popular classes in painting, drawing, pastels, watercolors, sculpture, and an art ‘sampler’ class.”

Working alongside a distinguished professional artist in the field of drawing and painting will allow Peyton to sharpen her technical proficiency while exploring her creativity in a “brave space.”

To date, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has been blessed and privileged to send 31 elementary and middle school students to attend the Zimmerli Art Museum’s summer camp in Marisa’s loving memory.

Established eight and a half years ago in Marisa’s honor and to keep alive her indomitable spirit, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has made a profound impact, donating nearly $450,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The nonprofit, which makes community service an integral part of its mission, has also spearheaded multiple initiatives resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies, children’s books, school supplies and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, the foundation has awarded $36,500 in scholarships to exceptional high school seniors who have helped children in need.

Born with a severe cardiac defect, Marisa Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 at the age of 13 to a rare form of cancer following a valiant battle.

Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctors’ appointments, Marisa Tufaro was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities. She lived a vibrant life that inspired.

Marisa’s ambition was to attend an arts college, and while God’s plan did not allow her to make it to one, her work did.

A piece Marisa constructed with a New York City School of Visual Arts graduate student during an art therapy session at New York Presbyterian’s Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital was displayed at the “Your Turn” exhibit at the college’s Flatiron Gallery in Manhattan in February 2017, days after Marisa’s untimely passing.

In 2012, Marisa was awarded a generous Summer Arts Scholarship to the Zimmerli Art Museum based on her achievement in camp and her artistic potential.

This year’s Marisa Tufaro Memorial Art Scholarship recipients share Marisa’s passion and talent for art.