File Photo/From left, MBA President Ed Berger, 2019 scholarship winners Alec Freedman and Jake LaMonaca and Maria and Daniel Walters.
MARGATE Many people have witnessed bullying and some have unfortunately been victims of it. According to stopbullying.gov, about 20% of students ages 12-18 experienced bullying nationwide. The Margate Business Association's Daniel and Maria Walters Scholarship Program is asking students to provide suggestions on how to eliminate bullying. The two top student essays will each be awarded a $2,500 college scholarship.
Submissions are now being accepted for the Margate Business Association's Daniel and Maria Walters Scholarship Program. Each year, the program awards two $2,500 college scholarships to high school seniors residing in Margate or Longport who have attended Margate City schools. To date $115,700, funded by MBA special events and donations, has been awarded through this program.
Qualifications include the submission of three specific references, a list of activities and awards, and a 250-300-word written essay based on the following prompt:
Bullying is a growing problem in our country and abroad. Your task is to write an essay expressing your thoughts about bullying. Explain what it is and why you believe people bully. In your essay, give at least one concrete example of bullying you have observed in school, on the playground or elsewhere and tell how the incident affected you or how you responded. And, finally, suggest at least two possible ways that you and your generation might help to eliminate this growing problem.
The scholarship founders, Daniel and Maria Walters, were former educators in the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District. They began the program as a way to give back to the community. Funds for the first scholarship awarded in 1999 grew out of the first Margate Fall Funfest held in 1998. The annual wine tasting produced by the MBA, Steve & Cookie's By The Bay Restaurant and Oyster Bar, Hartman Home Team Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors, Jagielky's Chocolates and 95.1 WAYV has enabled the Margate Business Association to continue the scholarship award.
This year's wine tasting event will be held at the Sigmund Rimm Athletic Complex on Edgmar Circle Field Friday, July 29 and will feature a live band, wine and beer tasting, food and a live and silent auction. See Margatehasmore.com as information becomes available.
Scholarship submissions must be postmarked by April 5 and will not be accepted in person. The judges do not know identities of the applicants. Scholarship winners will be announced in June. Applications are available through the high school guidance counselor offices and at Margatehasmore.com.
