MTA/NJ names 2016 scholarship, award winners
The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ) Foundation has announced the winner of its education scholarship.
Valued at $1,500, this scholarship is open to MTA/NJ members’ children and their employees’ children and can be applied to any higher education program. Since 2006, the MTA/NJ Foundation has awarded nearly $20,000 to deserving students.
The 2016 MTA/NJ Family Scholarship was awarded to Rachael Castellini of Bridgeton, NJ. She will begin her senior year at Kansas State University this fall, where she studies psychology and mass communications. Her father is the owner of Island Marine Center in Ocean View.
“We are happy to be able to offer this opportunity to give back to our members, their children and employees and help offset the costs of higher education,” said MTA/NJ Executive Director Melissa Danko. “We are very thankful to all of our supporters that have helped make this scholarship possible. We look forward to seeing it grow and more students like Rachael achieve their educational and career goals.”
In addition to the 2016 MTA/NJ Family Scholarship, the Automotive Training Center in Warminster, Pennsylvania, sponsored a half scholarship to its Marine Technician Program. The recipient of the Automotive Training Center scholarship was Jacob Yeager of Ortley Beach. Yeager is graduating from Toms River High School East as well as Ocean County Vocational Technical School, Toms River Center. After completing training, he plans on pursuing his career in the marine field with the hopes of eventually opening his own marine mechanic shop in his hometown of Ortley Beach.
The MTA/NJ also awarded an outstanding student award for the purchase of tools for the trade to Sam Hutchison from the Ocean County Vocational Technical School.
In addition to scholarships, the MTA/NJ Foundation helps to grow the industry and support the workforce through marine training reimbursements, industry certification courses, and other educational opportunities for members. For more information about the MTA/NJ Foundation or to make a donation, contact the MTA/NJ office at 732-292-1051 or info@mtanj.org.
