The cost of earning an education can be difficult for families to overcome, however the National Elks Foundation and the South West District Elk lodges in New Jersey have granted thousands of dollars to help offset the growing cost of secondary education.
A total of 19,257 high school students applied to this year’s Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student contest. Several local students won scholarships in this highly competitive contest.
Benjamin Schragger of Trenton Lodge won a $30,000 award (3rd place in the nation) ($7,500 a year for 4 years). He will be going to Rice University and majoring in sport management. He will be graduating from Hopewell Valley Central High in Pennington.
Sohum Shah of Hightstown Lodge #1955 won a $4,000 award ($1000 a year for 4 years). He will be going to Columbia University majoring in neuroscience. He will be graduating from Hightstown High School.
Stephen Huie of Hamilton Lodge #2262 won a $4,000 award ($1000 a year for 4 years). He will be graduating from Hamilton High School East.
An additional eight other students received $700 in State Scholarship awards. Locally, each lodge in the SW District (Trenton, Hamilton, Hightstown, Bordentown, Mt. Holly, New Egypt, Marlton, Edgewater and Deptford) conducted fundraisers and collectively have provided an additional $28,900 in scholarship grants.
