Scholarships
Each year, the Summit College Club awards financial scholarships to young women from the surrounding area in New Jersey who have been selected for their academic record and leadership qualities. The number of scholarships awarded, and the amount of each award, may vary from year to year. Since its inception, Summit College Club has awarded roughly $1 million in scholarship money, helping hundreds of young women attend the college of their choice.
Eligibility
Scholarships may be awarded to residents of Summit, Berkeley Heights, Chatham, Millburn, New Providence and Springfield, New Jersey. Applicants should be in their senior year. Also eligible are daughters of individuals who have been Summit College Club members for three or more years.
Application Process
Members of the Scholarship Committee work closely with the Guidance Offices of high schools in the towns listed above. The Guidance Offices coordinate the application process, ensuring that eligible young women in their schools are aware of the opportunity and checking that all applications are complete before they are submitted to the Scholarship Committee. Typically, applications are due around March 1. The application consists of: applicant information, including an academic and extra-curricular resume; academic transcript; written recommendations from (1) the applicant’s guidance counselor and (2) a teacher or other academic reference; and a written essay that addresses a question posed by the Committee.
The Scholarship Committee reviews all of the applications and, from the pool of applicants, selects those applicants who will be offered interviews. From this smaller pool, the final recipients are chosen. Awards are usually made in June. The scholarship is paid directly to each recipient in the form of a check.
Available Scholarships
The Tilla Thomas Scholarship, awarded each year from the Tilla Thomas Bequest, is given to a woman student who has achieved academic excellence and demonstrated leadership potential at Summit High School.
The Mary Tennant Scholarship, awarded each year from the Mary Tennant Bequest, is given to a woman student who has achieved academic excellence and demonstrated leadership potential.
The Kathy C. Madison M.D. Scholarship, awarded each year from the Caroline Madison Endowment, is given to a woman student who plans to pursue a career in science.
The Summit College Club Merit Scholarships are awarded to one or two women students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated leadership potential.
How to Apply
Please contact your high school guidance counselor if you are interested in applying for a Summit College Club Scholarship. The process typically begins in late January.
Introducing the 2023 Summit College Club Scholarship Recipients
Isabelle Embden, a Summit resident who attended Kent Place School, is a first generation American who speaks Spanish fluently. She has been president of her school’s Diversity Council; a volunteer tutor and, later, a curriculum coordinator for ¡Aprendalo!, an organization serving Spanish and Portuguese-speaking youth, and an active member of her school’s prestigious DEIB Task Force (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging). She was also captain of the varsity track team and played varsity volleyball. At Princeton University next fall, Izzy intends to major in political science and possibly pursue a legal career. Ellie Redington presented her with a Summit College Club Merit Scholarship.
Eden Levkov, who also lives in Summit, was awarded the Tilla Thomas Merit Scholarship, which is earmarked for a Summit High School senior who has shown both academic excellence and leadership potential. Eden, who speaks Hebrew and Russian as well as English, participated in a program in medicine at Columbia University, and a two-month leadership academy for women at Babson College. Eden has studied ballet for 10 years and modern dance for 3; she ice-skated competitively for five. She volunteers at food kitchens. Eden plans to major in biology at Gettysburg College next fall. Ellie Redington presented Eden’s award.
Kendall Torres, who lives in Mountainside and attends Governor Livingston High School, received the Kathi C. Madison Scholarship. Kendall is editor-in-chief of her class yearbook, president of the Environmental Club, and VP of the Student Movement Against Cancer. She won the prestigious West Point Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award. Kendall is an active environmentalist at home, at school, and in Berkeley Heights, where she helped convince the Board of Education to institute a sustainability policy. Kendall plans to major in Environmental Studies at Boston College. Barbara Sayres presented Kendall with her award.
Valeria Narvaez, of Chatham High School, won the Mary K. Tennant Scholarship. Teachers praise Valeria’s drive and strong work ethic, her intellectual curiosity and her sense of social responsibility. Valeria is a distinguished AP Scholar and has completed Chatham’s rigorous AP Capstone Program; she accomplished these things while working an outside job for 30 hours a week. The first in her family to attend college, Valeria plans an English major at New York University. Marilynn MacLean, co-chair of the Scholarship Commitee, presented the award.
Brielle Angelson, who lives in Millburn and attends Millburn High School, is a three-season varsity athlete and captain of her varsity softball team. She is the founder and president of her school’s Type One Diabetes Club and has a long list of service activities. Her social studies teacher praised Brielle’s writing, her able and ready participation in class discussions and debates, and her kindness to others. Brielle is headed toward Emory University in the fall, where she plans to study Business and Gender Studies. Kathy Brock presented Brielle with a Summit College Club Merit Scholarship.
Alexandra Munies, a resident of New Providence where she attends New Providence High School, has an unbroken record of As in her courses. Alex, who is interested in mental health, is a founding member of the Wellness Advisory Board at school and helped create the ConnectCare Community, which helps families connect with their elderly relatives online. During the pandemic, Alex also founded an artisan bread business that baked and delivered bread to 25 local families. They are still active customers. At school, Alex has captained the golf team and JV tennis team. Alex will attend Case Western Reserve University in the fall to study Psychology, Women and Gender Studies. Barbara Sayres presented Alex with a Summit College Club Merit Scholarship.
Congratulations to these outstanding young women. Summit College Club is proud to support your continuing education, and we look forward to seeing your accomplishments and leadership continue to blossom in the future.