Dear Dignitaries, Chairman and Brother and Sister Elks of the Central District,                                   

Please accept my apologies for not being present to deliver my scholarship report in person, but each Monday night I have a Council meeting in North Brunswick Township.   First and foremost, I would like to thank all of our scholarship chairman and chairwomen, who worked hard to make our scholarship program successful.  Each of you deserve to be commended for your dedication and devotion not only to your home lodges, but moreover, to your communities, your educational institutions and to your young residents and scholars.

Two years ago, when I assumed the responsibility of Scholarship Chairman for our great Central District, I recognized that , while we were all accustomed and proficient in getting our Most Valuable Student applications in our lodge bulletins and high School Guidance offices, we lacked in other methods of outreach.  Therefore, I compiled valuable contact information and distributed it to each lodge scholarship chairman, to aid and assist each in public outreach.   Information such as specific contact names, numbers and addresses for each townships public libraries, local municipal buildings, township’s free public access channels and websites, church bulletins and rectories, local free newspapers, and social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter.  The logic behind the research and compilation of this data was twofold.  One, to reach as many students as possible to participate in our scholarship program,  and two, to raise awareness of the great work, benevolence and generosity that our Fraternal Order of Elkdom provides to our communities. 

 Together, we received 123 applications, 39 boys and 84 girls.  Carteret and Woodbridge received the highest number of applications, with New Brunswick coming in 3^rd.   Twelve in total were advanced to the State level for the next level of judging.  Many thanks to Jeff Paterson for his guidance and support to our scholarship program.  Additionally, thank you to Francis Decibus, PSP, Rita Massimi, PER, Jane Bobel, Woodbridge Scholarship Chariman and Nancy Nicola, New Brunswick Trustee for volunteering their time to judge all Central District applications.

In closing, I would like to suggest that in order for our scholarship program to continue to thrive or any of our Elks programs to be successful, we must use every avenue and free resource available.  We must be diligent in using these opportunities, such as scholarship, to enhance and promote membership to our lodges.  We must continue to fill our chairs and our committees with Elks, such as these Scholarship Chairman, who consistently advocate and improve our programs, such as Jane Bobel, Ray Wizna, Rita Massimi, Gary Grant, Susan Peterson, Bill Joyce, Dave Erkstine, Barbara Muller, Maryann Slater and Marion Walko.

Thank you for carrying out your responsibilities as Scholarship Chairman to the best of your abilities and thank you for making my position as Central District Chairman one of honor and pride.

Respectfully,

Catherine Nicola

Central District Scholarship Chairman