32 / matters magazine / school 2017 W hen Alex Fagundez was accepted into Rutgers University in 2010, it wasn’t clear if she would be able to attend. “I knew that although Rutgers was giving me some scholarship money and I was do- ing a work-study, I didn’t have enough to cover the rest,” she explains, now three years out of college and working in education. So, she applied for a Columbia High School (CHS) scholarship. “When I got the call that I’d been granted an award, it was an incredible mo- ment,” she recalls, “because I knew for the first time that I’d be able to go to college and I didn’t really know that before.” Especially gratifying was the knowledge that her scholarship was funded by the Maplewood Garden Club in support of her environ- mental science major. “I was in their youth garden club when I was little,” she explains, “so it felt like I’d come full circle. That was a really cool feeling.” Community connection and devotion to help- ing students in need is the essence of the Columbia High School Scholarship Fund (CHSSF). Found- ed in 1923, it’s the largest provider of need-based scholarships in Maplewood-South Orange. It’s also completely volunteer-run, with a 23-person board of trustees who work tirelessly on behalf of the stu- dents, keeping overhead low and ensuring that the great majority of money raised goes directly to schol- arships. Trustees come from diverse backgrounds with a wealth of professional experience, including law, finance, education, sales and human resources – and all have a direct connection to the district. It’s this personal nature of the organization that fosters a passion for the students. “You feel like the recipients are your extended family and you know them and you’re proud of them. It gives you a sense of satisfaction to see them achieve and get ahead,” says Brigid Casey, vice presi- dent of the fund, who also emphasizes the inclusive nature of their approach. “Some organizations give out four or five large scholarships; our idea is that we can help a wider base of kids with a series of smaller scholarships that might help students buy books or lessen their loans that year.” Last June, 38 seniors were notified that they had been selected for the 2017 CHSSF award, and an- other 77 grads learned that their scholarships had been renewed. The award can be used by seniors and CHS grads for any kind of post-secondary educa- tion, from community college to trade and techni- cal schools, four-year universities and even graduate programs. Scholarships are reviewed – and renewed – annually and sent directly to the program where the student is enrolling. “For many of our students, this scholarship some- times makes the difference in terms of attending college or technical school college,” explains Carol Barry-Austin, chair of the fund’s selection commit- tee, who has been involved in the fund for 20 years. “Several of our students work part-time, study, and try to financially assist their families. Many are the first in their family to attend college. The stories of hardship that exist in our own community would be surprising to many.” Madeline Tugentman, co-chair of development for the fund, points out that the value of the award transcends mere money. “A lot of kids have said to us that they feel supported and encouraged by the award,” she says, “not just by the selection commit- Agent of Change The Columbia High School Scholarship Fund continues to transform the future BY JOANNE FISHER PHOTOS BY JAMIE MEIER OF LIVE LOVE LENS PHOTOGRAPHY