About Us

In our 68 years the Hillside Scholarship Fund has awarded nearly $400,000. 

The Hillside Scholarship Fund was established in 1952 when High School Principal Ruhl Custer won $500.00 in a TV Contest and donated the money to start the fund.  That year, the Dad’s Booster Club also donated $1,000.  The first scholarship in the amount of $150 was awarded in 1953.  

Between 1952 and 1960 the Dad’s Booster Club raised over $7,000 for the fund.

In 1957, Baseball Great and Hillside resident Phil Rizzuto donated over $5,000 – the first major amount for a scholarship.  He still continued to donate after that contribution.

In 1961, the Hillside Industrial Foundation provided the first $1,000 toward a second major scholarship.  Thereafter, annual contributions were made to exceed $5,000.

Since then several organizations and individuals contributed to the fund including the Key Club sponsored by the Hillside Kiwanis, the Parent - Teacher Association, and Hillside High School Classes of 38, 46, 50, and 57-61.

In the years that have past, additional scholarships have been established and the full list of scholarships are:

• Dr. Anthony A. Avella – Former Superintendent of Hillside Public Schools.  
• Dr. Wayne T. Branom – Former Hillside Superintendent of Schools.  This scholarship was first awarded in 1990.
• Rose S. Stahnten – Former Teacher, Principal and Superintendent of Hillside Public Schools. 
• Ruhl Custer  – Former Principal of Hillside High School.
• W. Stacy Dunham – Former Vice-Principal of Hillside High School.  This scholarship was established by funds from the Dad’s Booster Club.
• Peter A. Ferrigno – Former Hillside Fire Chief.  
• Robert L. Jones –Former Director of the Hillside Urban Enterprise Zone, Hillside Board of Education President, and HSF Trustee.
• Eugene B. Byers II – 1988 Graduate of Hillside High School.  This scholarship was created by the Beth El Foundation.
• Hillside Industrial Association Foundation – Established in 1961.  The foundation no longer exists, and upon formal dissolution in 2000, the remaining assets were donated to the Hillside Scholarship Fund.  However, thanks to the generous support of the Florence & Harry A. Cooper Foundation, a donation is received each year in the name of the Hillside Industrial Association Foundation.
• J. Arnold Witte/Hillside High School Class of 1956 Scholarship - Named in honor of J. Arnold Witte, CEO of DonJon Marine Company also located in Hillside 
• Hillside Graduate Fund – A long standing scholarship award.
• Hillside Rotary Club – The Hillside Rotary Club is comprised of local business leaders who are committed to the Hillside community.
• Phil Rizutto –Legendary Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee and long time Hillside Resident.
• Vodarsik Family Scholarship - Established by the late Dr. Dennis Vodarsik, HSF Trustee and former Director of Senior Services for the Township of Hillside.
• Vodarsik - Gilbert Friendship Scholarship.  Established by the late Dr. Dennis Vodarsik, HSF Trustee and Leonard and Lawanda Gilbert, HSF Trustee to honor their friendship that transcends generational, racial and societal norms.
• Nicky Glassman - established by her children Robert and Laurie in memory of their mother, a longtime educator in Hillside Public Schools
• Pamela Julia Pinter - established in 2021 by Pamela who is a proud member of the Hillside High School Class of 1967.  She is elated to continue to support graduates of Hillside High! 
• The Hillside Lions Club - established in 2022.

Are you interested in establishing a named scholarship in honor or memory of a person?  Contact us for more information!

 Hillside Scholarship Fund Inc is exempt from federal income tax under 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) and is a non-profit organization.   Your gift is tax-deductible as a charitable contribution to the extent allowed under applicable law.  Awards are considered without regards to race, ethnicity, sex, gender, national origin, or religion.