JLM Awards Five Scholarships

The Junior League of Morristown, Inc. presented five $2,500 Scholarships to area students at the League's April General Membership Meeting.

Pictured are: Livier Villasenor, Emily Pinnes, Erin Cullen, Nikhil Shah, and Bianca Caseiro.

Livier Villasenor is our 2011 Women Moving Forward Scholarship Winner. This scholarship is awarded to a woman 40 years of age and older, who is planning to attend or is attending college after taking time away from school. She is currently a student at Fairleigh Dickison University where she will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Individualized Studies this summer. Livier is not only a student but a wife, mother of two sons, and professional - working as a Case Manager at Homeless Solutions.

It was her previous work as Secretary at Centro Biblico Church, where she saw a broad view of problems affecting individuals and families, that she found her calling to social work.

"As a social worker at a homeless shelter I became an inspirational icon and demonstrated that obtaining a degree is possible for anyone regardless of background, age, or financial status. Professionally my studies will enhance my chances to continue challenging the less fortunate population to end the cycle of poverty through education."

"Livier is a valuable asset to our organization and works well with her co-workers and our clients. In her current position as Case Manger for our Single Women's Program; she has made several innovative suggestions that have enhanced the efficiency of the organization. She continuously looks for ways to improve her work environment." said Elaine Johnson, Director of Programs and Services at Homeless Solutions

The JLM also presented $2,500 scholarships to four high school seniors who have demonstrated a strong commitment to voluntarism in their communities and displayed leadership in their extracurricular activities. As an organization of trained volunteers, The Junior League of Morristown, Inc. seeks to recognize you people who have made a lasting impact on their communities through their volunteer work.

High School Voluntarism Scholarships

Here are brief highlights of our recipients' many outstanding achievements and leadership positions within their schools and communities.

Bianca Caseiro will graduate from Bridgewater-Raritan High School and will attend Stevens Institute of Technology where she will continue her work with the disabled community.

She plays varsity lacrosse and is an active member of many school extracurricular activities. Bianca began her volunteering at age 9 at "Learn to Skate" sessions helping coaches with beginning skaters. It was there that she discovered “The fact that I was doing something that I loved really didn't feel like I was working but instead it gave me a glimpse into feeling good about helping others.”

She has volunteered at Arc of Somerset County as a companionship visitor - reading, walking and talking to disabled residents at various group homes. Tara Abbott, Assistant Director of Development at Arc, describes Bianca as an eager and flexible volunteer, “Bianca moved easily from resident to resident, many of who had varying degrees of intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. The respect, patience, and sensitivity needed to work with individuals with disabilities seemed to be natural to Bianca.”

She is active in her church and this past summer she traveled to Guatemala as a Youth Ambassador to help rainstorm-devastated villages with clean water systems and she continues to assist this project through fundraising efforts.

Erin Cullen is a senior at Villa Walsh Academy who will be attending Boston College next year to study business and marketing.

She is a scholar and athlete and volunteer. Her Girl Scout Leader Patricia Anselmo remarked, "When Erin sees a need, she is compelled to help, without being asked." She says of Erin's Gold Award project, "Her project was the most successful projects I have seen. She organized a community literacy event "Literacy for Life" for the children in Newark." Anselmo describes this event as having collected over 10,000 books, which were distributed to the children and also provided eye screenings for the participating children and adults through the assistance of the Lions Club of Newark.

During her sophomore year Erin was inspired by Sister Mary Elizabeth Lloyd, a mission coordinator for orphans in AIDS-stricken countries, to found a student-run organization called Mission Aides. Through Mission Aides Erin and a growing number of fellow students have created beaded rosaries, raised funds, and collected necessary school supplies to benefit orphans. Erin says of her work "My primary focus is always will be having a positive effect on a group or individual in need. However, in my personal quest to improve the world, if I can inspire others to become a part of my mission, the possibilities for successful projects are endless."

Emily Pinnes will soon graduate from Whippany Park High School and will study medicine and economics at Duke University in the fall. She is active in her church, community, and school – filling leadership positions throughout all.

Emily's academic achievements are many and her service and volunteer work have included ERASE (End Racism and Sexism Everywhere) – serving as president for 2 years; Habitat for Humanity; Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown; founder of Sidekicks (Middle School Tutoring Program). She was also the founder and president of STAND (Student Led Division of the Genocide Intervention Network) her junior year.

Emily describes passion as being the most necessary quality for a volunteer, "Passion for the cause is essential. It makes the work meaningful, and keeps the spirit of the cause in focus."

Whippany High School Social Studies coordinator Richard Schwartz says, "There is in Emily's leadership style a rare kindness, a sensitivity to others, a moral sense that causes me to think that her passion lies not in scoring points but in making the world a better place."

Nikhil Shah is a senior at Morristown High School and the University of Miami/Miller School of Medicine Seven Year Medical Program in the fall.

Nikhil is a scholar/athlete who is also a certified EMT on the Morris Minute Men EMS Squad and volunteers with the Morris Plains Recycling Center. His involvement in the community also includes projects through Outward Bound that have benefited St. Hubert's Giralda and refurbishing local gardens and landscaping.

He began his volunteer work during fourth grade at Morris View Nursing Home where he continues to volunteer. He has also served as a volunteer for Pathway's Kids Helping Kids Autistic Mentoring Program.

Nikhil believes patience is key to volunteering, "Patience allows a volunteer to repeat words over and over again when talking to the elderly. Patience allows a volunteer to keep his composure when trying to teach a screaming child how to play soccer or bake cookies. Patience allows a volunteer to ask a sick person questions about her symptoms, instead of hastily and prematurely moving her into the ambulance. And with patience comes selflessness, generosity, and compassion, the other components that make volunteering so effective."

School Counselor Elizabeth Barbone says of Nikhil, "He is a phenomenal young man who does not take opportunities to learn, meet new people, or help others for granted."