Scholarships offered for the everybodies'
Warwick College is expensive, And James Marsden of James Marsden & Associates, Ltd., and Sean Corrigan, John Kelly and Bob Lax, owners of Halligan’s Public House, are looking to help. For the second year in a row, they are offering three $2,000 scholarships to college-bound high school seniors who live within the Warwick school district. “There are lots of scholarships out there but only a few people are eligible for many of them,” said Marsden. “Some are attached to athletics, grades, ethnicity. We’re looking to capture the average student. This is geared toward everybody. The whole world isn’t getting grades in the 90s.” But if you do, they won’t hold it against you. This scholarship is awarded based on an essay. In 500 words, tell Marsden, Corrigan, Kelly, and Lax how living in Warwick has prepared you for the world. If they deem your essay most interesting, you receive one of the $2,000 scholarships. That more than pays for a semester at Orange County Community College, or a laptop, or a couple semesters of books. Marsden started the scholarship six years ago and has given out more than $20,000. He recognized the need when his babysitter was struggling to come up with money to go to college. “Warwick is a pretty wealthy community,” said Marsden. “And we in business make our living off the community so I think it only fair that we give back.” Marsden didn’t get a tremendous response to it. One year he had 26 applicants; most other years, just a few. So last year he approached the owners of Halligan’s who jumped at the chance. “With the rising cost of education, it would be great if this scholarship could grow,” he said. “It would be nice if every college-bound senior got a check.” The scholarship fund is now partially funded by a yearly golf outing. Rob Gallo runs the outing. This year’s outing is set for Thursday, Aug. 14, at Black Bear in McAfee, N.J. The cost is $600 per foursome. There will be prizes in the form of golf equipment and apparel, gift certificates and a 50/50 raffle. Breakfast and a buffet lunch are part of the deal. Anyone interested in participating in the outing should contact Gallo at 201-819-0560. Tee sponsorships are also available for $100. High school seniors who live in the Warwick school district, and Marsden points out this includes students who attend high schools outside of the district, should contact him or stop by Halligan’s to pick up an application for the essay contest. The deadline for applications is June 1. The winners will be announced on June 15 and the scholarships will be presented at the golf outing.