Herb Stern Longport Scholarship Fund announces 2023 award recipients

2022 Recipients of the Herb Stern Longport Scholarships. From left, Trustees Patrick Armstrong, Bob Stern, Herb Stern, students Tai Schiavo, Tyler Lawler, Luke Kramer, Pat Agnellini, Jeremy Albergo, Kai Tripician, Nicholas Volpe and Eva Engal, and Trustees Carl Tripician and Lynn Baumgardner. The 2023 awards will be presented at the June 7 Board of Commissioners meeting.

LONGPORT - The Herb Stern Longport Scholarship Fund has announced that 17 Longport resident students will be awarded a total of $26,500 in scholarships for the fund's 13th annual scholarship program. Longport students who will be attending college or are in college or graduate school now were eligible to apply for the scholarships. The 2023 awards include the largest number of students and the largest amount awarded in the fund's history.

The Board of Directors selected recipients from applications based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, work record, community volunteering and need. The awards will be used toward tuition for the 2023 fall semester.

The scholarships will be publicly presented at the June 7 Longport Board of Commissioners meeting.

The 2023 recipients are:

• Jackson Agnellini, who will graduate from Ocean City High School with Distinguished Honors, with four years on varsity swim team and lacrosse, and who worked as a lifeguard. He has not yet decided on a college, but plans to study finance and real estate.


• Pacifico Agnellini, who attends the University of South Carolina studying finance and real estate, with a minor in sports and entertainment management.  He has worked as a Margate lifeguard and started his own home service business.


• Jeremy Albergo, a Rutgers University student studying political science and criminal justice who is interested in working in law or law enforcement. He has worked in local retail, participated in debate club, Model U.N. and sailing. He has worked as a lifeguard and volunteer.


• Patrick Armstrong will attend the University of Alabama to study business. He is a South Jersey title swim champion and won the 2022 Around the Island Swim. He's been a volunteer junior member of the Longport Fire Department, and has worked as a lifeguard and at local restaurants.


• Joe DeGaetano will attend Rollins College in Florida and take courses in finance and real estate. He played varsity basketball and lacrosse, a volunteer and worked as a lifeguard.


• Eva Engel attends the University of Tampa pursuing a career as an interior designer. She will work in an art apprenticeship this summer. She has volunteered for several non-profits in the U.S., Costa Rica and Peru.


• Sophia Gresham attends Rowan University and looks forward to teaching health and physical education. She participates in Rowan's track and field teams, and has been a camp counselor and coach.


• Jonah Hammerstedt will attend medical school at Thomas Jefferson University.  He studied biology at the University of Delaware.  He has volunteered and has worked in various jobs including lab research.


• Luke Kramer attends Boston University and is studying health science and plans to work in the health care field. He competes in track, and has worked as a lifeguard and as a volunteer at the Shore Medical Center.


• Alanna Larson is completing her second year at Widener Law School, with an interest in intellectual property law. She has worked in law offices and as a judicial intern and has worked at local restaurants and local charities.


• Tyler Lawler attends the University of South Carolina and is taking business and finance courses. He participated in lacrosse, soccer and surfing, and has volunteered for several causes.


• Jack Schiavo will graduate from Ocean City High School and likely attend Seton Hall University or St. Joseph's University with a focus on international relations and diplomacy. He is a National Honor Society member and has participated in cross country, basketball, tennis, soccer and swimming.


• Tai Schiavo studies film, music, compsition and film scoring at the Berklee College of Music. He has extensive experience as a musician, has received numerous music awards, and has taught piano.


• Birdie Stewart is a student at the College of Charleston, studying business and computer science. She has participated in cross country, track and tennis, and has worked in recreation and counseling.


• Kai Tripician is a student at Wesleyan University. He is taking a range of liberal arts classes and has crafted a major in ecosystems and human impact. He teaches sign language, is a Bird Club president, Margate Arts Center volunteer and middle school tutor.


• Kallan Tripician will attend Wesleyan University in the fall and will take classes in a variety of areas, including biology, computer science and environmental studies. She was a NJ Junior Gym Champion, President of the Math Club and Academic Club, and has worked as a gym coach and volunteer.


• Nicholas Volpe attends the University of South Carolina, majoring in biology, and plans to become a medical doctor. He's been active in lacrosse, soccer, class council, and pre-med groups. He has worked in local restaurants and as a surfing instructor.

Contributions to the fund may be made at any time at www.longportscholarshipfund.com  or by check payable to the Herb Stern Longport Scholarship Fund, c/o Treasurer Lynn Baumgardner, 3210 Atlantic Ave., Longport, NJ 08403.