To learn more about our scholarships visit the Morris Educational Foundation. For information about establishing a scholarship please call (973) 863-0767.
Post-Graduate Award
*Myles Smiled on You Award for Secondary Education Loan Reduction - Up to $5,000
The Morris Educational Foundation offers a unique opportunity for Morristown High School Alum that have graduated college or trade school through the Myles Smiled on You Award. Started in 2019, the Myles Smiled on You Award grants up to $5,000 to relieve secondary education loan debt. The Mislavsky/Martinez Family established the “Myles Smiled on You” Award in loving memory of Myles Mislavsky. Myles was an amazing human being. Witty, charismatic, giving and loyal…these words merely scratch the surface in describing Myles. He made a lasting impact on the lives of those around him and was committed to helping others. He radiated joy with a smile so infectious that even on your worst days, he lifted your spirit. People were drawn to Myles and were better having known him. Myles was involved in many activities at MHS, including soccer, wrestling, orchestra and other clubs and graduated in 2013.
High School Scholarships
*Carl George and Shirley L. Eklund Scholarship - Up to $25,000 annually for 4 years
A life-changing scholarship awarded to a Morristown High School Junior with plans to pursue a degree in teaching, preferably secondary education. This scholarship is a four-year scholarship and the amount is determined at the discretion of the MEF/MHS Eklund Scholarship Committee. The intention is for the financial award to be “life-changing” for the student recipient. Carl George & Shirley L. Eklund, class of '39, were high school sweethearts at MHS and wished to establish a legacy to benefit generations of students. The Morris Educational Foundation provides this scholarship through the endowed Eklund Scholarship Fund established as a bequest from Carl George & Shirley L. Eklund.
*Judy and Eliot Steinberg Scholarship - Up to $25,000 annually for 4 years
This scholarship honors two long-term residents of Morris Township who believed in education and equal opportunity for all. The scholarship will be awarded annually to 1 – 3 Morristown High School seniors who intend to continue their education at a New Jersey public college with a goal towards a career in STEM, business, education or medicine. Successful candidates will demonstrate financial need, scholastic achievement, and a willingness to help others in the community. This scholarship is made possible by their MHS alumni children who have pledged $1 million to provide for the college education of 10 or more Morristown High School students so they can graduate with minimal or no debt.
*Clifford Starrett Scholarship – $80,000 ($20,000 annually renewable for 4 years)
This scholarship was established to celebrate Mr. Starrett’s legacy as an elder statesman of Morristown who helped preserve much of Morristown’s history and its heart, the Morristown Green. Mr. Starrett had the good fortune of receiving scholarships to both Princeton and NYU Law School and wished to have the same impact on Morristown High School seniors, giving them the opportunity to pursue their passions. Mr. Starrett was a respected partner at Schenck Price Smith and King who was described as “a perfect gentleman, a man of wit and wisdom, a man who always had the right aphorism to fit the occasion, who always had a hand to help a new colleague or a worthy cause.”
*Wong Family Scholarship - $24,000 ($6,000 annually for 4 years)
Robert Wong, MHS Class of 1967, established this scholarship in memory of his parents. This generous award is for $6,000 per year for up to four years. This is a merit-based scholarship for a student in the top of the Morristown High School graduating class. The senior must exemplify the traits of high academic achievement and pursuits.
This scholarship was established in memory of Veronica (Banky) Eddy, Class of 1978, and Brad Banky, Class of 1985, by their family. All MHS graduating students who are in the top 20% of their class, who demonstrate the need for assistance and who plan to pursue a college major in business, economics or engineering are eligible.
George and Michele Becker Scholarship - $12,000 ($3,000 annually for 4 years)
The scholarship will be open to all Morristown High School students who are pursuing STEM fields in college studies. Preference will be given to students underrepresented in STEM careers (i.e., women, underrepresented minorities and students with special needs). George and Michele Becker are longtime Morristown residents who are committed to education and our area schools. Professionals with careers in healthcare, finance, and management, they understand the importance of science, technology, engineering and math for one’s career path.
*Stephen B. Wiley Scholarship - $8,000 ($4,000 annually for 2 years)
The generous donations of friends and family of Mr. Stephen B. Wiley support this scholarship in recognition of his leadership and tireless efforts to forge a strong and vibrant school system and significantly strengthen the community. $4,000 for each of the first two years of post-secondary education is awarded to a student from MHS who shows strong community-minded leadership both within and outside of school.
*Capt. Brian J. McNally USMC Scholarship - $5,000 ($1,000 per year for 3 years and $2,000 for the 4th year)
The McNally Family established the Capt. Brian J. McNally USMC Scholarship to honor the life of Morristown High School Alumni Capt. Brian J. McNally, USMC, an American patriot, who exemplified a life dedicated to volunteerism and service to his schools, community, state and country. The scholarship will be open to all students who are pursuing Criminal Justice, Law & Protection, Health Care, Nursing & Medical Management or Emergency Management/ Public Safety at a four-year college who demonstrate a dedication to community service. The scholarship must be used to pay tuition at an accredited 4-year college or university.
*Dorothy F. Johnson Scholarship - $3,500 ($1,750 annually for 2 years)
*Spring Brook Foundation Scholarship - $3,000
*Javier Avelar Scholarship - Up to $2,500
Sponsored by the Golden Bagel Runners, this scholarship is in memory of Javier Avelar, a beloved Morristown High School graduate, who died after an 18-month battle with colon cancer. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Morristown High School senior who is a first-generation immigrant student with financial need.
*Class of ’79 Morris 8 Scholarship - $1,979
In 1969, a group of concerned citizens, known as the Morris 8, brought an action against the NJ School Board to block the attempts of the Morris Township schools to pull out of the Morristown school system. The Commissioner of Education ruled that he did not have the authority to block the separation, so the matter proceeded to the NJ Supreme Court. In what is now one of the foremost decisions in the United States on school desegregation (Jenkins v. Township of Morris School District and Bd of Ed, 58 NJ 483), the NJ Supreme Court in 1971 ruled in favor of the citizens and directed that the school systems be merged. The Morris 8 were Beatrice Jenkins, Cliff Burton, Charles C. “Moose” Jamison, Jr., Theodore King, Valerie Kowalski, Lloyd Newberry, Inge Nierenberg, and Ernestine Ritchie. Seven of them had children in the school system at that time. The Morristown High School Class of 1979 is creating a scholarship dedicated to the Morris 8 legacy. The Morris 8 Scholarship in the amount of $1,979.00 will be awarded annually to the senior class student who best demonstrates a commitment to democracy and diversity, equal opportunity and ethnic strengths, and freedom and fraternity. The student must be planning to attend college or trade school.
*James B. Galbraith, Jr. Scholarship - $1,500
The Galbraith family created this scholarship in memory of former Morristown High School biology teacher and Principal, James B. Galbraith, Jr. This award will be presented to an MHS Senior with plans to major in biology at a four-year college or university. Applicants must demonstrate creativity, kindness, and an ability to work within a team, attributes the scholarship’s namesake valued and possessed.
Morristown Distinguished Wrestler Scholarship - $1,500
The Morristown Distinguished Wrestler Scholarship is awarded to a senior wrestler planning to pursue post-secondary education at an accredited college or trade school. The scholarship will reward the success a student has had balancing the academic demands of school, the physical demands of wrestling and finding time for school and community involvement. Funding for this scholarship comes from MHS wrestling alumni, the Motown Grapplers Youth Wrestling Club, the MHS Wrestling Boosters and other friends of Morristown wrestling.
*Morristown High School Class of 2020 Resilience Scholarship - $1,500
The Morristown High School Class of 2020 Resilience Scholarship is awarded to a senior planning to attend an accredited college or trade school for post-secondary education. The scholarship winner is nominated by a MHS teacher or guidance counselor who has shown resilience and perseverance in the face of hardship while balancing the academic demands of school. It honors the MHS Class of 2020, which demonstrated these characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic. This scholarship is sponsored by the Project Graduation committee. The MHS Class of 2020 was unable to celebrate together on graduation night at Project Graduation. This scholarship was created to remember and commend this sacrifice and all others made by the 460 graduating seniors that year.
*Morris Educational Foundation Scholarship in Honor of Ricky Godoy - $1,500
Ricky’s Compass is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on mental health in honor of Ricky Godoy. Ricky was a successful entrepreneur and passionate mental health advocate. After a long battle with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, Ricky died by suicide on September 21, 2017. Ricky’s Compass was founded in honor of Ricky’s vision to shatter the stigma around mental health and illness. Through this scholarship, Ricky’s Compass Inc. is looking for students to join us on our mission to educate and bring awareness in order to build communities that are accepting and understanding of all people. For more information, visit us at www.rickyscompass.org. The scholarship will be open to all students who are pursuing a major in the behavioral health field such as Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, etc. This scholarship must be used toward supplies and/or tuition at an accredited two or four-year college or university.
*John T. Cunningham Scholarship - $1,250
The MEF established this scholarship through the sale of the book “Youth’s Bright Years: An American High School,” written by alumnus John T. Cunningham, class of ’32. This is for an MHS graduating senior pursuing a major in the broad field of communications at a four-year college, meeting the criteria of grade point average, related extra-curricular activities, teacher recommendations, and excellent writing skills.
*Mary Bentzlin Scholarship - $1,000
Mary Plunkett Bentzlin was a beloved teacher in the Morris School District for over 30 years, primarily at Frelinghuysen Middle School where she taught language arts and writing. Her scholarship will be open to all students who are pursuing liberal arts in their college studies with a goal towards public service. Financial need is a primary consideration for this scholarship. The scholarship must be used to pay tuition and related expenses at an accredited 2 or 4-year college or university.
*Bruce Chamberlain Scholarship - $1,000
This Scholarship was established to honor the career of Bruce Chamberlain as a teacher and adviser at Frelinghuysen Middle School and Morristown High School. Bruce started in Morristown in 2004 as an 8th grade math teacher via the NJ alternate route program after a 25-year career in business/IT starting with Hewlett-Packard in the late seventies. In 2010, Bruce began to teach the newly formed accelerated math program at FMS along with the Quest Gifted & Talented program. Running activities such as Model UN & Mock Trial in the Quest program for many years led Bruce to reinstitute a Mock Trial team at MHS which had been dormant for many years. Mr. Chamberlain went above and beyond in all that he did and inspired everyone he came in contact with. He is beloved by his students, many of whom give him credit for their current success. Mr. Chamberlain retired in 2020 and this scholarship was created to mark that occasion.
*Ruth Marantz Cohen French Award - $1,000
The Ruth Marantz Cohen French Award was established to honor Ruth M. Cohen’s passion for teaching French. Her husband, Murray, established this annual award and fund for students of French language and literature. Mrs. Cohen taught at MHS for more than 30 years. The scholarship winner is selected by the French Department. No student application is required.
Douenias Family Scholarship for Scholar Athletes - $1,000
The Douenias Family Scholarship for Scholar Athletes is awarded to a Morristown High School senior planning to attend a 4-year college or university. The scholarship will reward a student with a combined high academic achievement and a long-standing commitment to their sport. Preference will be given to students living in the town of Morristown.
*Ferrara-Myers Grandparent Scholarship - $1,000
The Ferrara-Myers Grandparent Scholarship was established in May, 2021 by Kris and Tom Ferrara in memory of Robert and Connie Ferrara and in honor of Jane and Mike Myers, collectively the proud parents and grandparents of 10 Morristown High School graduates. This scholarship recognizes their lifelong support of educational and community-focused causes.
*Hess-Mulcahy Scholarship - $1,000
Hess-Mulcahy Scholarship is awarded to a Morristown High School senior planning to attend an accredited college for post-secondary education. The scholarship will reward a student pursuing a degree in the arts (preferably in writing) or a degree in STEM. Funding for this scholarship is provided by two Morristown High School graduates. Molly Hess, ’08 and Liam Mulcahy, ’07 met and began dating at MHS, and after living in Dallas, New York City and San Francisco, they have come home to Morristown and wanted to give back to the school that gave them so much. Professionals with careers in marketing and technology, they understand the importance of opportunities within the fields of science, technology, engineering, math and writing.
*Estelle Walker Hinkins Memorial Scholarship - $1,000
Mother Estelle Walker Hinkins graduated from Morristown High School (MHS) in 1897, the first African American woman to do so. She graduated with honors and went on to attend Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio where she earned a degree in education. After being denied an opportunity to teach in Morris County, she taught in the Atlantic City School District, but remained committed to the youth of Morristown, and along with Mrs. Early, started the Phyllis Wheatley Women’s Club on Spring Street in Morristown. One of the club’s main focuses was teaching children how to read. Today, Estelle Hinkins is fondly remembered by her former students as “strict”. They were probably unaware that Miss Estelle, as she was called, was the granddaughter of former slaves in Morris County and desired the best education for her students so that they would never allow that history to repeat itself. Estelle Walker Hinkins was a member of Bethel Church of Morristown. The church honors the memory of Estelle Walker Hinkins and her work with this scholarship which will award a minimum of $1,000 each to two Morristown High School seniors (1 male, 1 female) of African American or African descent pursuing a 2-year or 4-year degree in education with a career path towards early childhood, elementary, secondary, and/or post-secondary education. Funding for this scholarship is provided by the Bethel Church Community.
*William Darell Johnson "Let's Get It Going!" Memorial Scholarship - $1,000
This scholarship was established in memory of William “Darell” Johnson (Morristown High School Class of 1994), a beloved son, brother, father, husband, friend and colleague who was a well-known friendly face in Morristown and at Morristown High School where he worked in the Guidance Office. Darell always greeted people with kindness and enthusiasm. This scholarship celebrates Darell who was an unending cheerleader for our students and high school. He had a positive impact on so many and valued camaraderie in all facets of his life. His rally call “Let’s get it going!” could be heard on the sidelines of athletic fields from the time he was a child through his time with his own children. He wanted others to succeed and through this award, his legacy will continue to inspire success in others. The scholarship is open to all students that possess the attribute of camaraderie; something Darell displayed throughout his life. Students must show their team spirit by playing a sport each year of high school and their altruism by participating in community service. The scholarship must be used to pay tuition at a trade school, two or four-year college, or university. Financial need is preferred.
Morristown Animal Hospital Animal Welfare Scholarship - $1,000
The Morristown Animal Hospital Animal Welfare Scholarship is awarded to a graduating Morristown High School Senior in the amount of $1,000. The Morristown Animal Hospital has been caring for animals in Morristown and neighboring communities since 1915. David Matalon, VMD has been the owner and chief veterinarian since 2005. David lives and works in Morristown and his children have been educated in the Morris School District. David believes in giving back to the community and established this scholarship to encourage and support a graduating senior from Morristown High School in pursuing a career in animal welfare.
*Coach Gil Shaffer Scholarship - $1,000
The Shaffer Family established this scholarship in memory of Coach Shaffer to encourage young athletes (both male and female) to pursue a larger purpose for their future and to ensure commitment to the community where they live and work. Coach Shaffer was a beloved teacher and coach at Morristown High School, as well as a teacher and vice-principal at Frelinghuysen Middle School. Coach Shaffer and many of his fellow coaches made a commitment to Morristown High School to mentor young athletes into a role of responsibility and education. This scholarship is open to all students who participate in a sport at Morristown High School and have plans to attend a four-year college, two-year college, trade school, or culinary school. Preference is given to those with demonstrated financial need.
*Shirley Shalit Scholarship - $1,000
The Shirley Shalit Scholarship was established to honor lifelong Morristown resident and Morristown High School alumna, Shirley Domb Shalit (Class of ’39). The scholarship will be open to all students who are pursuing a major in the Humanities with a preference for English Literature at a two or four-year college. The scholarship must be used to pay tuition at an accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university.
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