It was two nights of celebration and reflection as the regional high schools serving Oakland, Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes held ceremonies for students receiving scholarships and awards. Students were honored for the hard work and effort that brought them to the stage; and local foundations, businesses, civic organizations, and national service organizations gave all in attendance a reminder that investment in education is an investment in community.
There are many students who receive scholarships through their focus and commitment, but the central theme of these ceremonies was on community involvement in education. The three towns that incorporate the regional high schools have their own patrons and benefactors, and their valued participation is more than fiduciary, but heartfelt and sincere beliefs that investment in the future is a real responsibility.
Each night, at Ramapo and Indian Hills, the largest annual gathering of civic minded individuals, groups, organizations, foundations, and businesses took place to bestow honors and awards on the students. The Oakland Journal, barely six weeks online, lacks the resources to do justice in reporting on the scores of students and benefactors that together made these ceremonies nights of inspiration.
Each student’s goals and skills are different, and honoring specific achievements is not meant to downplay the dreams or accomplishments of others. In that spirit, The Journal will report on several organizations that bestowed awards over the past two evenings, and hope our readers will understand that it is merely a reflection of the dozens of other benefactors involved in our community.
The Matthew Larson Foundation was created by the family and friends of Matthew James Larson who lost a 5 year battle with brain cancer in April 2007 at the tender age of 7. This foundation raises funds to help the families of children with cancer and provide money for research. The reality of a child, a peer to school children, suffering this disease has inspired civic responsibility in even the youngest of our community, who have organized bake sales and car-washes to help others. The scholarships offered were a thank you to the community, and a reflection of the purity of joy learning offers our youngest and most vulnerable citizens. Residents can learn more at IronMatt.org.
Most residents have had at least a passing interaction with UPS, either through deliveries or passing one of their trucks on the road. This company might not fall under a purely local organization, but it falls under the concept of community. UPS has a long tradition of sending teams of upper-management personnel from around the country to The Henry Street Settlement in Manhattan’s Lower East Side for a month’s “internship”. Besides dispatching these volunteers to deliver meals to the homebound, take children from shelters on outings, mentor young people in employment programs, UPS incorporates this service into it’s upper-management training program. It is a laudable belief that you can actually learn practical skill from helping others.
The Oakland Education Foundation was created in response to the increasing tax burdens and the increasing school expenses. Funding for their projects comes from local businesses, community organizations and individual citizens who wish to maintain the tradition of educational excellence offered in our schools. The Foundation operates independently from both the Board of Education and the Oakland School District, but consults with them on what projects will be funded. The scholarships they award are only a small reflections of their involvement in supporting education. In the 2002-03 period, they provided grants in excess of $75,000 to rebuild the science lab at VMS. In 2007, they provided $27,000 for technology such as Smart Boards.
Military service. With our country at war on multiple fronts, it is a serious consideration for those students who choose to enter the field of military service. If such a thing as blue-blooded nobility exists in America, then it exists in these individuals. The standing ovation offered these students says everything about them, and us.
Honorees and Benefactors are encouraged to supplement this report using the comment form below. Please use full name, and we will post them under this article