The Marisa Tufaro Memorial Scholarship, which Woodbridge High School, through its benevolence, fully funds in Marisa’s honor and memory, is awarded annually to two exceptional college-bound seniors from Woodbridge High School 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.
The second annual recipients were Mya Pinkevicz and Cameron Christine, who both received their scholarships during Senior Awards Night at the high school earlier this week.
One hundred and thirty students from the high school received a total of $78,000 in scholarships during the ceremony. A complete list of recipients can be found below.
Following are the remarks Marisa’s father, Greg, made while presenting the scholarships to Mya and Cameron on Senior Award Night.
As a journalist who for years has been embraced as a member of the Woodbridge family, I am honored to be able to present the Marisa Tufaro Memorial Scholarship to two recipients who epitomize the qualities that make your school community special and who embody my beautiful daughter’s indomitable spirit.
I have witnessed firsthand – whether it be through a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser for childhood cancer, multiple Barrons for Ben benefits, Hats for Harvey or supporting Go for the Goal – your school’s exemplary desire and gifted ability to work together to help others.
My wife Cyndi and I are eternally grateful for the support our own tax-exempt nonprofit – The Marisa Tufaro Foundation – has received from Woodbridge High School. You’ve hosted the Greater Middlesex Conference All-Star basketball doubleheader and the Tecmo Bowl for Tufaro as fundraisers for our foundation. Student-athletes from a multitude of sports have participated in other events that benefited our nonprofit. Donations from administrators, faculty, staff, students and their parents have enabled our foundation to fulfill its mission of helping Middlesex County children in need.
As if your school community has not done enough, you opened your collective hearts yet again to our family with the creation of the Marisa Tufaro Memorial Scholarship, which Woodbridge High School has generously funded in an ineffable tribute to our daughter.
The deserving recipients of the memorial scholarship are one young man and one young woman whose resiliency and ability to overcome adversity capture the quintessence of what makes Woodbridge High School special beyond words.
Before inviting both recipients to receive their awards, on behalf of Cyndi and myself, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation and deepest gratitude to Dr. Zega, the Board of Education, the guidance department, the scholarship selection committee and the faculty and staff of Woodbridge High School, especially Mr. Lottmann, Mr. Kane and Mr. Ward.
Cyndi and I wish all of the graduating seniors continued success in their future endeavors. We will ask Marisa to watch over you. We hope the gift you have given our family – which is the ability to keep alive Marisa’s memory and to honor her legacy through this scholarship – will be returned to you exponentially.
Please join us in congratulating Mya Pinkevicz and Cameron Christine as recipients of the second annual Marisa Tufaro Memorial Scholarship.
