Different paths to education recognized EMACC scholarships support studies of nontraditional students BY GLORIA STRAVELLI Staff Writer Florence Forgotsen (center) with scholarship recipients and officials of the EMACC Educational Foundation RED BANK - Illness sidetracked Kristin Brush's academic career right out of high school. Fortunately, she recovered enough to resume studies, but the one-year hiatus made it more difficult for her to get the kind of financial help most graduating seniors qualify for. "I couldn't help that I had to take a year off," said Brush, Shrewsbury, "It didn't mean I don't want to get an education." Thanks to a unique scholarship program, Brush was able to begin studies at Rutgers University this year with an extra $1,000 toward college expenses. In fact, this fall 14 "nontraditional" students like her headed back to the classroom with an extra $1,000. The seven adults returning to college - two students pursuing vocational interests and five students entering their junior or senior years of college - received scholarships from the Educational Foundation of the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce (EMACC). Each recipient has a unique story. Many hold down several jobs while pursuing studies, some are caregivers, some are raising families, several have overcome significant personal hardships including homelessness to go on to higher education. "This scholarship appealed to me because it's geared to people who maybe didn't get right into college right after high school," said Brush, who plans to become a French teacher. "This scholarship really helps." Over the past seven years, the EMACC Educational Foundation has awarded a total of $68,000 in scholarships. The major source of funds for the scholarship program is the silent auction that will be held at the chamber's 15th Annual Spinnaker Awards dinner which will be held tonight at Branches in West Long Branch. For the 2006-07 academic year, first-time scholarship recipients, like Brush, are Patricia Conley of Shrewsbury, who is studying speech-language pathology/audiology at Loyola College, Baltimore; Janis Grundmann, Leonardo, who is pursuing studies at Kean University to become a mathematics teacher; Dedrick Krzywiec, Tinton Falls, a student at the New England Culinary Institute; Kris Mezzacapo, Keansburg, who is working toward a degree in business administration through the Brookdale Community College Communiversity program; Also, Dale Mooney, Eatontown, who is pursuing a degree in social work at Monmouth University; Daniel Petrucelli, Rumson, who began studies at Brookdale for a career in law enforcement with the U.S. Customs Service; Jason Scott, Red Bank, who is pursuing a degree in music at Brookdale; Patty Williams, Red Bank, who is pursuing a degree in humanities at Brookdale; and Matthew Zorner, Tinton Falls, who began studies at Monmouth University and plans to become a high school teacher. Notably, the education foundation continues to support students while they work to complete their studies. Several received scholarships for the second and third time this year: Deborah Horan, Tinton Falls, a third-time recipient, is working toward a degree in social work at Monmouth University; Krista Keleigh Gleason, Point Pleasant Beach, will complete graduate studies at Monmouth University for a career as a school counselor; Deborah Lyons, Middletown, is completing studies for a degree in business administration at Thomas Edison State College; and Dana Tango, Eatontown, is working toward becoming a forensic pathologist at the University of Pennsylvania. "The foundation has been extremely supportive," said Horan, who has four children, two also attending college. "The scholarship has taken some stress off to help with the financial aspect of my education, and I'm very grateful." Horan has worked as a substitute teacher and interned at the county's Division of Youth and Family Services working in a school program for families and children. When she completes her studies, she "will be in the real world," she said. Like many of the scholarship recipients, she aims to give back to the community. "If I can help one child or family, make a difference in a child's life, make sure they're safe and have adequate food and housing, that will make the difference to me." The scholarship is also helping Zorner resume studies that were delayed. "I was out of school for two years battling depression," he said. After completing junior and senior year of high school in one year through MAECOM adult high school, Zorner said he loves the environment at Monmouth University, where he co-hosts a weekly radio show, is a peer tutor and is marketing manager for a film series. Like many scholarship beneficiaries, Zorner said the reward isn't just financial. "Every little bit helps," he said. "It's nice to have a reminder that I worked hard for something and I was able to get recognition for that. But it's not just the monetary benefit, there's also an emotional benefit. It gives you a little bit extra to keep doing what you're doing, keeping your life on track, setting your goals and achieving them." In addition to the silent auction, the scholarships are supported by Florence Forgotsen, an attorney and founding member of the chamber. Applications for the 2007 EMACC Educational Foundation scholarship will be available in February with a deadline of May 1. The EMACC serves the communities of Eatontown, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls. For more information about how EMACC has been empowering its members since 1928, log on to www.emacc.org.