NJELSA Scholarship Award

The NJELSA awards college scholarships to sons and daughters of active-duty police and fire personnel. The awards provided 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.

For 2025, we are pleased to award scholarships to two amazing New Jersey high school seniors, Lea Walker and Charlotte Healy. Read about their journeys below.

1st Prize: Gabriella Egnezzo, Verona High School

Gabriella Egnezzo from Verona, NJ, graduated from Verona High School in June 2024 with a perfect 4.0 GPA. As a distinguished National Honor Society member and Student Body Vice President, Gabriella demonstrated exemplary leadership and academic excellence.

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.

2nd Prize: 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.

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.

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.

Due to the challenges of COVID-19, our scholarship recipients could not join us in person; however, they were honored at the 2021 Annual Golf Outing.

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.

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.

NJESA Youth Scholarship Program winner wins the ESA Youth Scholarship Program at the National Level

Michelle Bello, 1st prize winner, with her family receiving award from Gerard Duffy, President, NJESA

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.