Four Monmouth Seniors Awarded Scholarships

JERSEY SHORE - New Jersey Natural Gas, in conjunction with BlueClaws Charities, presented four scholarships to graduating Hispanic high school seniors from around the Jersey Shore before a sold-out crowd at ShoreTown Ballpark.

The four winners were: Kiara Castera (Keansburg High School), Mia Esposito (Manalapan High School), Giovanna Rivera (Manalapan High School), and Erik Sanchez (Long Branch High School & the Monmouth County Career Center).

The scholarships were handed out in conjunction with the first Medusas de Jersey Shore game of the season. The BlueClaws become the Medusas de Jersey Shore at three games across the summer as part of a Minor League Baseball initiative called “Copa de la Diversión.” This season-long event series is specifically designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with participating teams’ local U.S. Hispanic/Latino communities.

“New Jersey Natural Gas is committed to sustainable communities and has several education programs to support students in our service territory,” said Maria Diaz, director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at New Jersey Resources. “We are thrilled to come alongside the BlueClaws Charities to award these scholarships to help advance their educational opportunities.”

Applicants submitted an essay describing their goals and why they felt they were deserving of the scholarship, along with letters of recommendation from community leaders.

“We received a series of tremendous applications from students around the Jersey Shore and are proud to select these four as our winners,” said Jim McNamara, executive director of BlueClaws Charities. “We congratulate our winners and wish them the best as they move on to college to continue their education later this year.”

The BlueClaws will become the Medusas de Jersey Shore on two more occasions this year: July 27 and August 17. At these games, the BlueClaws wear special jerseys to become the Medusas de Jersey Shore. There are also food and drink specials, music, and the team celebrates the best of Hispanic culture and heritage.

Blood Drive

BRICK – Summer is always the most difficult time of year to keep up the blood supply with schools being out and people vacationing. Holiday weekends are often synonymous with fireworks and car accidents which call for a higher need for available blood.

The Weichert Realtors blood drive in Brick will be on June 26 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Laurelton Fire Department, 1725 Route 88, Brick.

Appointments recommended. For an appointment go to tinyurl.com/weichert-brick-0626 or call 800-933-2566 or Johnnie Ettore at 732-996-1475.