Charity-Temitope Daramola has been named the first of four recipients of the 2018 Marisa Tufaro Foundation Greater Middlesex Conference Student-Athlete Scholarship.
The three other scholarship recipients will be announced in the coming days.
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.
Along with her scholarship, Cyndi and Greg presented Charity, who will attend Wellesley College in Massachusetts, with a commemorative plaque and a bouquet of flowers at Woodbridge High School on Tuesday night.
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.
Earlier this month, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletics Association honored Charity as a recipient of its prestigious Scholar-Athlete Award, which was presented to her during a luncheon at The Pines Manor in Edison.
“When we announced at the spring pep rally that Charity was the NJSIAA scholar-athlete, you could tell by the reception she got that she is well-liked and well-respected by her peers,” Woodbridge High School athletics director Joe Ward said.
“I think she demonstrates all the qualities that we wish for all our student athletes to possess. She combines everything you are looking for – the academics, the athletics, the community service and the leadership. She’s as well-rounded as they come.”
As a member of Woodbridge High School’s outdoor and reigning North 2 Group III championship indoor track and field teams, Charity has competed in the shot put, discus and javelin. She ranks in the top five percent of the high school’s graduating class taking advanced placement and honors level courses. Charity also performed extensive community service.
“She has impacted the lives of many around Woodbridge Township and the state of New Jersey,” Woodbridge throws coach Ramy Kased wrote in a letter of recommendation to our foundation’s scholarship committee on Charity’s behalf. “Charity is part of the Heroes and Cool Kids group from Woodbridge High that goes to elementary schools around the district to be positive role models for the younger generation of students and have a positive impact on their lives. She is also part of the Safety Ambassadors (which Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital sponsors), Women’s Empowerment and many other clubs that impact the community in a positive way.”
In addition, Charity has served as a children’s church student assistant, freshman mentor and on the Woodbridge Township Youth Leadership Council, whose mission is for young adults to engage in the operations of municipal government, to get involved in neighborhood and community issues and activities, develop and implement community projects, help the environment and support the arts.
“She’s passionate about what she does and she does it with a very positive energy,” Ward said. “I think that rubs off on other people.”
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.