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Scholarship fundraiser honors longtime EHT educator

  • Margate

Educator Hal Cohen passed away suddenly on Jan. 6, 2018.

MARGATE Laureen Cohen, supervisor of instruction, curriculum and assessment at the Margate City public school district, is spearheading the first-ever fundraiser for a scholarship program honoring her husband Hal Cohen, an educator in the Egg Harbor Township schools who died suddenly on Jan. 6, 2018 at age 65.

When his former students heard the terrible news of his sudden passing, they posted numerous tributes on his Facebook page, Laureen Cohen said.

When I started reading the impact he had on his students' lives, I knew immediately that we needed to have a memorial scholarship in his name, she said.

Laureen and Hal Cohen on a cruise to Alaska.

Hal Cohen was a man of quick wit and intellect. He instilled in his students an appreciation of literature and the arts, challenged them to think critically and take risks, and inspired many to pursue careers in writing, theater and education, Laureen Cohen said.

In lieu of flowers at the funeral, she asked people to contribute to the Hal Cohen Memorial Scholarship fund and last year, the non-profit organization awarded two scholarships to graduates at Egg Harbor Township High School who were pursuing careers in the humanities.

I matched the contributions we received and we awarded a $2,000 scholarship and a $1,500 scholarship, she said.

Hal Cohen with former student Ryan Fader, who is now a senior at Duke University.

The scholarships helped Mary Sadallah study political science and world languages at University of Pennsylvania with a goal of working on international advocacy and immigration reform.

Megan Katapodis went off to study architecture and sustainability at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. She planned to use her artistic gifts to create beautiful and functional structures for a greener tomorrow.

The foundation's Inaugural Fundraiser Cocktail Reception will be held 6-9 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at Greate Bay County Club in Somers Point. Proceeds will provide scholarships to students pursuing degrees in writing, performing arts, or education.

Laureen Cohen hopes to raise enough money to award at least two scholarships this year. Applications are due on May 1.

The recipients will be selected by the Scholarship Committee, which includes several EHTHS English teachers and Cohen.

During his 27-year career in education, Hal inspired students to be writers, actors and teachers, Laureen Cohen said. Although we were all saddened, his spirit lives on, and he continues to inspire future generations.

Hal Cohen in a safari costume for a TV commercial.

Hal and Laureen were married in 1996 and settled in Egg Harbor Township. She was the science teacher at the Eugene A. Tighe Middle School for many years before being promoted to her current position in 2014. Hal taught English, creative writing, media and theater arts at the high school for 27 years until he retired in 2011. He even served as a substitute teacher at Tighe in the years following his retirement, she said.

The scholarship fund is seeking sponsors, donations of wine and auction items. Admission to the event is $25 and includes food, a wine cork-pull, silent auction and cash bar.

The HCMSF is also a registered charity with AmazonSmile, which donates .5% of the price of eligible purchases to charitable organizations selected by the purchaser.

For more information, see the Hal Cohen Memorial Scholarship Foundation on Facebook or email [email protected].

2019 HCMSF Application 

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