The NJELSA awards college scholarships to sons and daughters of active-duty police and fire personnel. These awards are our small way to say thank you to the dedicated public safety community and help pay for an advanced education for deserving students.
Awards are based on a combination of academic achievement, national test scores, extracurricular participation and an essay.
The NJELSA is proud to recognize this year’s Peter Raymond Scholarship recipients: Aileen Colarusso of Boonton, NJ, our 1st Place winner, and Mia Barbieri of Demarest High School, our 2nd Place winner. We congratulate Aileen and Mia on this
well-deserved honors and wish them continued success as they begin their college journeys in Fall 2026.
2026 Scholarship Award
1st Prize | $1,500
Aileen Colarusso
Academy for Government and Leadership Morris County Vocational School District
Aileen Colarusso, from Boonton, NJ, is part of the inaugural class of the Academy for Government and Leadership in the Morris County Vocational School District, where she achieved a weighted GPA of 4.58. Aileen has demonstrated
outstanding leadership as the first elected Student Government President for her school. She was also actively involved in DECA, serving in several leadership roles, and participated in Harvard Model Congress, as well as multiple
musical and theatre productions. Her commitment to service extends beyond school through volunteer work with the Boonton Fire Department and the League of Women Voters.
Aileen is the daughter of Michael Colarusso,
a 20+ year veteran of the Boonton Fire Department. She looks forward to attending George Washington University in Fall 2026.
2nd Prize | $1,000
Mia Barbieri
Demarest High School
Mia Barbieri, from Demarest High School, achieved a weighted GPA of 4.8, reflecting her strong academic dedication and commitment to excellence.
Mia has been an active leader in DECA, serving as Vice President of Membership
Activities and Vice President of Communications. She is also one of five senior officers of a National Honor Society chapter with more than 300 members. In athletics, Mia has shown leadership and teamwork as a club soccer team
captain and a four-year varsity offensive player, serving as Senior Captain in 2025.
Mia is the daughter of Anthony Barbieri III, a veteran of the Demarest Fire Department. She will be attending Boston College in
Fall 2026.
2026 Award Recipient Spotlight
NJELSA was pleased to welcome Aileen Colarusso, Peter Raymond Scholarship recipient, to the Northern Region Meeting. Aileen attended the event to present her winning scholarship essay to attendees and members, offering a meaningful reminder of the importance of supporting the families of New Jersey’s dedicated public safety community. We congratulate Aileen on this well-deserved honor and wish her continued success as she prepares to attend George Washington University.
Photo: Aileen Colarusso reads her essay to Northern Region Meeting attendees.
Photo: Aileen Colarusso is joined by NJELSA Executive Director Christine Higgins and Northern Region Secretary Paul Siemon.
2025 Scholarship Award
1st Prize | $1,500
Lea Walker
Ocean City High School
Lea Walker has earned a weighted 4.29 GPA from Ocean City High School and is a proud National Honor Society member. A dedicated athlete, she is a four-year varsity member of both the fall and winter cheerleading teams, serving
as captain and mentoring younger athletes as a junior cheer coaching assistant.
Beyond the sidelines, Lea leads as president of Notes for Nana, a volunteer organization that creates cards to brighten the days of local seniors. In 2024, her father, Bernard Walker, was named the 11th Fire Chief in the 133-year
history of the Ocean City Fire Department-a legacy of service that Lea is proud to continue through her academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement.
2nd Prize | $1,000
Charlotte Healy
Trinity Hall, Tinton Falls
Charlotte Healy is a 4.0 student at Trinity Hall in Tinton Falls, NJ, where she is an active member of the golf team, Sign Language Club, and Yearbook Club. Committed to service and leadership, Charlotte mentors young people
through the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is the daughter of Daniel Healy, Captain of Engine 10 for the Jersey City Fire Department. She proudly carries forward her family's dedication to
community through her academic excellence, mentorship, and extracurricular involvement.
2024 Scholarship Award
1st Prize | $1,500
Gabriella Egnezzo
Verona High School
Gabriella graduated from Verona High A
talented dual athlete, Gabriella earned Varsity letters in basketball
for two years and in softball for three years, proudly serving as
Captain for both teams. Her commitment to her community is inspired by
her parents, both police officers, with her father now retired and her
mother serving as a Lieutenant with the Montclair Police Department.
Gabriella is excited to further her education at Clemson University,
where she plans to pursue a degree in architecture and civil
engineering.
"Excited to pursue a degree in architecture and civil engineering."
2nd Prize | $1,000
Joseph Valentino
Ocean Township High School
Joseph
Valentino, from Ocean, NJ, recently graduated from Ocean Township High
School (OTHS) with a 4.0 GPA. Joseph's academic excellence is
highlighted by his OTHS National Honor Society induction.
As
an Eagle Scout with five palms, he has achieved the highest honor in
the Boy Scouts of America. In 2024, he was named the National Junior
Firefighter of the Year by the National Volunteer Fire Council. Joseph's
creative talents shine in digital design, photography, and performance
arts. He has showcased his work at the Monmouth Teen Arts Festival at
Brookdale Community College and the Italian-American Artist Showcase at
the Long Branch Cultural Arts Center. Joseph draws inspiration from his
father, who serves as a firefighter with the Oakhurst Fire Department.
2023 Scholarship Award
1st Prize
Spencer Hobson
Rumson-Fair Haven High School
Spencer Hobson of Rumson, NJ, is a 4.20 GPA student at Rumson - Fair Haven Regional High School and plans to attend Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Spencer is an exceptional student and enjoys several clubs and activities,
volunteer opportunities including Clean Ocean Action and Toys For Tots, and sports such as ice hockey (RFH Varsity Team Captain) and baseball. Spencer's father, Sergeant Detective Shawn Hobson, serves in the Jackson Township
Police Department.
2nd Prize
Mia Pecora
Immaculate Heart Academy
Mia Pecora of the Township of Washington, NJ, is an Honors student at Immaculate Heart Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school and plans to attend Penn State University. When she is not in the classroom, Mia participates
in clubs such as the Traffic Safety Squad and French Club, volunteers with several organizations, and is CPR-certified. Mia's father, Lt. Arsenio Pecora, currently serves in the Township of Washington Police Department.
Archive Excellence
2022 Award Recipients
1st
Alexis Hall
Our
first place recipient ($1,500) is Alexis Hall of Freehold, NJ. Alexis’
father, Lieutenant Scott Hall, currently serves with the Freehold
Township Police Department, where he has spent over 20 years. Alexis
will be graduating the Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and
Science in Neptune, NJ with a 4.0 GPA and looks forward to pursuing a
degree in neuroscience.
2nd
Nicholas Rymarz
Our second place ($1,000) recipient is
Nicholas Rymarz of Kinnelon, NJ. Nicholas’ father, Lieutenant Stanley J.
Rymarz III, serves with the East Rutherford Police Department. Nicholas
will be graduating from Kinnelon High School and looks to attend the
University of Florida in the Fall of 2022 to study aerospace
engineering.
2021 Award Recipients
1st
Jake Inserra
First Place ($1,500) went to Jake
Inserra of Woodbine, NJ. Jake’s father, John, currently serves at the
Port Norris State Police Station. Jake is attending the University of
Pennsylvania in the Fall of 2021.
2nd
Jack Long
Second Place ($1,000) went to Jack Long of Park Ridge, NJ. Jack’s father, Brian, served with the New
Milford Police Department until his passing from kidney cancer in 2016.
Jack is attending the University of Georgia.
stars National Achievement
NJESA Youth Scholarship National Winner
Michelle Bello, 1st prize winner, with her family receiving award from Gerard Duffy, President, NJELSA.
After careful consideration, Michelle Bello from Pennsauken High School, NJ won the first prize and Cary Robinson Jr. from Overbrook Regional High School, NJ won the second prize.
We invited the winners and their families to dinner at our Annual Golf Outing Event and presented them with checks for $1,500 and $1,000 respectively.
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1st Prize | $1,500
