Riley Vazquez’s affinity for helping children in need factored into her decision to attend college with the goal of becoming a pediatric oncology nurse.

Despite being a two-sport student-athlete and a member of the National Honor Society engaged in myriad extracurricular activities, the Woodbridge High School senior still found time to participate in numerous community service projects.

Vazquez organized and led a book drive benefiting pediatric patients at Robert Wood Johnson Children’s Specialized Hospital, as a senior class officer initiated a school-wide toy drive for a pediatric cancer outpatient center, and continued her yearslong involvement with Saint James Church’s annual Thanksgiving and Christmas drives to sort and distribute food and presents to children and families in need.

An outstanding student with a 3.7 grade-point average that ranks her in the Top 10 percent of her graduating class, Vazquez has been rewarded for her extensive volunteerism with a 2026 Marisa Tufaro Memorial Community Service Scholarship.

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation presents the $1,000 scholarship in honor and loving memory of its namesake to high school students 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 multiple extracurricular activities. She lived a vibrant life that inspired. The foundation is a fitting way to keep alive Marisa’s indomitable spirit and allow her legacy to be one of helping others.

Since its inception in July 2017, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated nearly $450,000 to fulfill its mission. The nonprofit has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies, children’s books, school supplies, and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value. In addition, the foundation has awarded $36,500 in academic scholarships to 50 inspirational high school seniors and sent 31 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.

“Marisa’s story inspires me to dedicate my life to helping children when they are the most vulnerable,” said Vazquez, who this fall will attend Villanova University, whose nursing program is among the nation’s finest.

“I am utterly fascinated with the magic nurses create, being the calm in someone’s stormiest days. I want to be the type of person who shows up for others when times get hard and also remind them they’re not alone. Being in a hospital can be scary, especially for young patients, and I want to be someone who can provide not only medical care but also comfort and support. Eventually, I hope to become a nurse practitioner so I can take on a larger role in patient care and continue making a meaningful impact on my patients’ lives.”

Assuming additional responsibility has certainly never been an issue during high school for Vazquez, who logged more than 160 hours of documented community service.

She earned four varsity letters each in softball and winter track and was team captain in both sports. Vazquez also served on the Greater Middlesex Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. She was a member and officer of the Science National Honor Society, served as Junior and Senior Class Secretary, and participated in the high school’s Heroes and Cool Kids program and Woodbridge Youth Enjoy Science Club.

The Marisa Tufaro Memorial Scholarship is the latest accolade for Vazquez, who was also the recipient of the Mayor’s Award for Meritorious Community Service, the NJSIAA National Girls and Women in Sports Award, and the Greater Middlesex Conference Sportsmanship Award.

In organizing and leading the book drive for Robert Wood Johnson Children’s Specialized Hospital, Vazquez coordinated with the Woodbridge Parks and Recreation Department to collect donations through the summer camps she worked as a counselor. She expanded the drive with an Amazon wish list for community members to contribute to the collection. Those efforts led to 258 new children’s books being donated to the hospital.

“Seeing how something as simple as a book could bring comfort to a child during a scary hospital stay made me realize how powerful small acts of service really are,” Vazquez said.

Vazquez said sorting and distributing food and presents to children and families in need through Saint James Church during the holiday season further impacted her desire to give back to the community.

“Spending a lot of time preparing for these events and seeing the appreciation from families showed me the importance of consistency in service,” she said. “Being able to see the kids that I know come pick up food makes me sad but it’s so rewarding to know I could help them have a happier holiday.”

Vazquez’s volunteerism extended to the elderly through her involvement in New Jersey Senior Olympics and the adoption of animals through the Save Our Strays Club.

“Service has taught me that even small actions can have a long-lasting impact,” Vazquez said. “Whether it was donating books and toys, helping families during the holidays, or just volunteering my time in my community, each experience has reinforced my desire to help others.

“As I move forward, I plan to continue seeking opportunities to give back while also preparing for a career that allows me to help people every day.”