Employees at Hightstown’s Meadow Lakes retirement community receive scholarship awards for exceptional service.
By: Michael Ross
HIGHTSTOWN Danielle Edwards is generations younger than the patrons she serves. But last week, the 18-year-old waitress received the ultimate tip from her venerable dining room regulars a $2,000 scholarship.
A resident of Stockton Street in Hightstown, Ms. Edwards is one of 18 employees of the Meadow Lakes retirement community who received scholarships Aug. 12 for exceptional employee service.
"It’s a wonderful thing to do for the kids," Meadow Lakes resident Caroline Stuart said.
Ms. Stuart, 84, chairs the community’s Education Award Fund Committee, which granted more than $30,000 in resident donations to help employees further their education.
Fifteen students received a $2,000 scholarship. Three received lesser amounts.
Awards were given to employees in dining services, marketing, heath care, house keeping and kitchen staff.
"I’m very appreciative that the residents donate their money so that we all could have an opportunity," Ms. Edwards said.
The Hightstown High School graduate has worked at the retirement community for more than two years and this fall will be a freshman at Hampton University (Hampton, Va.), where she plans to study biology and pursue a career in pediatrics.
"It’s so pleasant to be around them and they’re so nice and supportive," Ms. Edwards said. "I always love to hear their stories."
To be eligible for the scholarship, workers must be employed in a full- or part-time capacity for at least a year and display a certificate of acceptance from a college or university.
Winners are judged on a number of criteria, including length of employment, attendance record, job performance, grade point average, a 300-word essay and an interview.
"The people are amazing here," Linda Magee, 20, of Hightstown said.
The two-time scholarship recipient began volunteering at Meadow Lakes at age 12, visiting with residents and participating in activities. As a recreational aide, the Second Avenue resident now runs those activities.
Ms. Magee will be a junior this fall at Rowan University (Glassboro), where she’s pursuing a Spanish major, a French minor, a secondary education certificate and a certification in international studies.
On campus, she is the acting historian of the Alpha Phi Omega coed fraternity, a resident adviser, a foreign language lab assistant and a member of the Spanish Club.
"It’s debatable," Ms. Magee said of her future career. "Teaching is something I want to do," although she is currently focused on Spain, where she will travel this winter to study for a semester.
Another two-time scholarship recipient, Brendan Awerbuch, 20, of East Windsor has worked for three years as a waiter in dining services and cites the relationships he’s developed with residents as one of many benefits to working at Meadow Lakes.
"I like just talking to a lot of people here because they have such great history behind them," the Covington Drive resident said.
Mr. Awerbuch will be a junior this fall at Towson University (Towson, Md.), where he is studying electronic media and film with aspirations of one day working in sports editing for ESPN.
"There’s nothing better than watching sports all day," Mr. Awerbuch said.
Other township recipients included Nicole Allen, Rebecca McBride, Dan Salman, Brian Silverman and Brielle Simels.
Additional borough recipients included Jorge Contreras, Kristin Healey, Lupe Padilla and Christian Pauta.
Also awarded were Jody Dawkins of Cranbury, Shannon Grieb of Ewing, Karl Hanquist of Roebling, Mercedes Pazmino of Cranbury, Jeannie Pressey of Pemberton and Joe Rich of Yardville.