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.
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.
hillside scholarship fund trustees
President Dr. Juanita Daly ('88)
President Dr. Juanita Daly ('88)
President Dr. Juanita Daly ('88)
Dr. Juanita Jones Daly is a 1988 graduate of Hillside High School, became a trustee in 1999 and has been president since 2002.
Jeorge Alvarado
President Dr. Juanita Daly ('88)
President Dr. Juanita Daly ('88)
Jeorge is a retired Computer Programmer/System analyst. He has been a trustee with HSF for over 10 years.
Joel Chapman ('10)
President Dr. Juanita Daly ('88)
George L. Cook III ('86)
Joel is a 2010 graduate of Hillside High School and received a HSF scholarship in 2010. He has been a trustee with HSF since 2019.
George L. Cook III ('86)
Sandy Cureton - Vice President
George L. Cook III ('86)
George is 1986 graduate of Hillside High School. He was a member of the Hillside Board of Education and is currently the Vice-President of the Hillside Municipal Council. George has been a trustee with HSF for over 10 years.
Sandy Cureton - Vice President
Sandy Cureton - Vice President
Sandy Cureton - Vice President
Sandra "Sandy" Cureton is a retired AVP Trust Administrator and Trust Operations Officer with over 35 years experience at a major banking institution. Sandy is currently the Vice President of HSF and has been with HSF for over 20 years.
Arlene Finkler
Sandy Cureton - Vice President
Sandy Cureton - Vice President
Arlene's Bio
Arthur Garrett
LaWanda Gilbert
LaWanda Gilbert
Arthur's Bio
LaWanda Gilbert
LaWanda Gilbert
LaWanda Gilbert
LaWanda's Bio
Fletchine Hall
LaWanda Gilbert
Fletchine Hall
Fletchine was an educator for Newark Public Schools, a member of the Hillside Lions Club, and the proud mother of two Hillside High graduates. She has been a trustee with HSF for over 10 years.
Robert Mallary
Christina Reddick ('96)
Fletchine Hall
Mr. Mallory is an active member of the Hillside Pop Warner Executive Board, and Hillside Senior Center and Recreation Dept. He has been a trustee with HSF for over 20 years.
Christina Reddick ('96)
Christina Reddick ('96)
Christina Reddick ('96)
Christina is a 1996 graduate of Hillside High School. She has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 20 years in various roles, and she has an oldest child who is a 2019 graduate of Hillside High School. Christina has been a trustee with HSF for over 15 years.
Patricia Russell
Christina Reddick ('96)
Christina Reddick ('96)
Patricia is retired educator that includes 14 years as a classroom mathematics teacher and 13 years in curriculum development in Mathematics for Grades K-8. She currently works with the Senior Citizens in Hillside and leads the Book Club and Hillside Senior Walkers. Pat has been a trustee with HSF since 2014.
Linda Smith - HSF Secretary
Linda, who is currently retired, is a former teacher, administrator, and guidance counselorfor the Hillside Board of Education. She has served on the Hillside Scholarship Fund for more than 20 years.