FOUR STUDENTS AWARDED NEW JERSEY NETS SCHOLARSHIP
October 25, 2000 -- Bloomfield College freshmen Fedline Joseph of Irvington, Vicnell Marichal of Paterson, Melissa G. Otero of North Plainfield, and Charles E. Tempio of Clifton were recently named as recipients of a $4,000 scholarship paid over four years from the New Jersey Nets Foundation through the Community Youth Organization. Bloomfield College will match the scholarships and will provide a mentor to the students as part of the program.
The presentations will be made at the beginning of Nets’ home games on October 31, December 12, January 9, and March 28. Scholarship recipients are selected based on several factors including financial need, a history of community service, and grade point average.
Joseph was an Honor Roll student and Irvington High School, where she received the Perfect Attendance Recognition Award. Joseph has volunteered in several hospitals and nursing homes including Newark Beth Israel Hospital and the Healthcare Academy. “I really enjoyed that experience because I was able to start a friendship with the residents. I realized that we had many things in common and I learned not to sympathize but to empathize with what they were going through,” she said. Joseph plans to be a nursing major at Bloomfield College.
Marichal is a graduate of Paterson Catholic High School, where he received awards in History and Algebra. He earned All-State, All-Area and All-League awards in baseball, and was also a member of the Latin Dance Club and the Yearbook Committee. He has also done volunteer work at the Kessler Institute, where he assisted senior citizens. “Receiving the New Jersey Nets Scholarship will help me to help others,” said Marichal, who is a Computer Information Systems major at Bloomfield College.
Otero has earned several music awards at North Plainfield High School, where she was a member of the marching band from 10th through 12th grade. She has served as President and Vice President in her Girl Scout troop, and was also a council member. Otero has participated in clothing drives, community park clean-ups, and activities to feed the homeless. She has also volunteered her time to the Watchung Arts Center Mini Art Camp, where she taught art to youngsters. “Knowing I can make a great difference in someone’s life has given me the courage to make a difference in my own,” she said. Otero is majoring in Creative Arts & Technology at the College.
Tempio graduated from St. Mary’s High School, where he received the Outstanding Student Award and was named to the Spanish Honor Society and Math Honor Society. He was included in Who’s Who Among American High School Students, started a mock trial team, and was co-captain of the cross country and baseball teams at St. Mary’s High School. He also served as an assistant in the rectory at his high school parish. Tempio is majoring in political science at Bloomfield College.
“We are grateful to the New Jersey Nets and the Community Youth Organization for their support, and are delighted to be a part of this scholarship program,” said Bloomfield College President John F. Noonan. “We are fortunate to have partners who believe in this institution and are committed to making the educational dreams of our students a reality.”
