Grads awarded scholarships

Maxwell Moore of West Milford was one of 10 New Jersey high school students awarded scholarships from the Sharing Network Foundation for their passion and dedication to raising awareness of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

Moore, a 2023 graduate of West Milford High School, received a scholarship from the Jim Rhatican Scholarship Fund.

He had just turned 15 years old when he developed severe shortness of breath while on vacation with his family. He was hospitalized and diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension.

His condition continued to become more critical until he received a double-lung transplant in July 2020.

Since his near-death experience, Moore has been passionate about advocating for organ and tissue donation, including leading educational presentations for the Safe Driver’s Club and the Driver’s Education class.

He plans to attend Endicott College in Beverly, Mass., in the fall.

“As I go off to college, I hope to bring awareness to my fellow classmates about the importance of organ and tissue donation,” he said. “I will proudly share my story with anyone who wishes to listen.”

The Class of 2023 graduates were presented with their scholarship awards at NJ Sharing Network’s headquarters in New Providence.

The Sharing Network Foundation’s scholarships are made possible by several of the organization’s family and partner funds:

• Hearts for Emma Partner Fund, created in celebration of Emma Rothman’s life-saving heart transplant to support high school education and donation advocacy efforts.

• Jim Rhatican Scholarship Fund, created in memory of Rhatican, a NJ Sharing Network volunteer, liver transplant recipient, and retired teacher and coach of 35 years.

• Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund, created in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Missy Rodriguez’s life-saving liver transplant to follow her passion as a college counselor through scholarships for high school students.

• Riley’s Path, created in memory of organ donor Riley Kogen to provide financial assistance to transplant patients in times of crisis and to award scholarships to high school students and advocacy heroes.

The other 2023 scholarship recipients:

• Sophia Fliegler of Mendham, Randolph High School.

• Emily Blomkvist of Asbury, North Hunterdon High School.

• Caitlin Knorr of Berkeley Heights, Governor Livingston High School.

• Amelia Rowniewski of Wallington, Applied Tech High School

• Veronica Sutkowski of Carteret, East Brunswick Charter School.

• Nina D’Apolito of Wall, Wall High School.

• Jacob Grabell of Bridgewater, Bridgewater Raritan High School.

• Charbel Hachem of Franklin, Franklin High School.

• Noah Kuzloski of Point Pleasant Beach, Christian Brothers Academy.

The Sharing Network Foundation’s scholarship program provides an opportunity to recognize and award graduating high school seniors whose lives have been touched by organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

Applicants were measured on academic achievement, community and volunteer efforts, extracurricular activities, and advocacy for organ and tissue donation.

Since the scholarship program’s inception in 2011, more than $120,000 has been awarded to 55 dedicated student advocates.

”We are grateful for the generous support of our partner funds and their ongoing commitment to rewarding students who share a commitment to our life-saving mission,” said Amanda Tibok, executive director of the Sharing Network Foundation.

“We know that all of our scholarship awardees will continue as strong leaders educating others about donation and transplantation throughout their college years and beyond.”