Thirty-one Warren County Community College students were recently recognized at the annual WCCC Trustees and Foundation Scholarship Awards Dinner as exemplary students who, among other attributes, make the College are better place here and around the country. 

“People like you make WCCC a very special place,” said WCCC President, Dr. Will Austin. “Because of students like you the College is recognized throughout the country.” 

The students honored at the special event all exhibit strong work ethics, a dedication to education, and the ability to overcome adversity in their pursuit of advancement.

Scholarship recipients Suzette Trejo-Rivera and Renee Rancucci offered words of appreciation, saying that their scholarships made all the difference in their studies.

“Without this scholarship, I don’t think I could have done it,” said Rancucci, who originally was expecting a national grant scholarship that fell through. “It wasn’t going to work out. But then I heard about this scholarship opportunity and I am so thankful.”WCCC Board of Trustees Chair, Dr. Phil Linfante, provided opening remarks and lauded all the recipients for their hard work and efforts to achieve their goals. 

Added Assemblyman Erik Peterson, “Luck is not involved. You work hard, and you make opportunities for yourself. Take advantage of them!”

Other special guests in attendance included Freeholders Edward Smith and Jason Sarnoski.

Here is the full list of this year’s scholarship recipients:

Tolulope Arogundade, Lauren Bell, Caroline Brack, Corrine Cortugno, Sean Brenner, James Clarke, Christine Dacruz, Kathryn Daniels, Alyssa Frisco, Katelyn Hudak, Olena Kushchak, Shawna Laman, Austin Lombardozzi, Melanie Matts, Samantha Maxwell, Alexandra Mecca, Noelle Miller, Stacy Murray, O’Real Jeo Orais, Scott Pohl, Renee Rancucci, Daniel Resch, Dominick Russo, Suzette Trejo-Rivera, Anthony Turker, Melanie Ward, Angela White, Kristen Wood, Steven Wormull, Charlee Yale, Alex Zeigman.

For more information about WCCC and its scholarship opportunities, visit www.warren.edu, or call 908-835-9222.

Photo above: Left to right in front, Dr. Will Austin, President of WCCC, Anzhela Christian, Noelle Miller, Suzette Trejo-Rivera, Melanie Ward, Renee Rancucci, and Alyssa Frisco; in back, left to right, Assemblyman Erik Peterson, Tolulope Arogundade, James Clarke, Steven Wormull, Dominick Russo, and Dr. Phil Linfante, Chair of the WCCC Board of Trustees.    Photo by Cathy Miller.