Six outstanding female scholars were celebrated for their achievements, public service and aspirations to lead during the Burlington County Commissioners and Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council’s annual scholarship reception.
The $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Natalie Sherill, Catherine Marino, Kavya Parik, Nazifa Hasna, Katrina Benton and Allyson Kittel during the reception Tuesday at the Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences.
The scholarships and reception were sponsored by the Burlington County Commissioners, the Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council, Alice Paul Institute, Virtua Health and Remington & Vernick Engineers.
“As women leaders, we have a responsibility to serve as mentors and role models for the next generation and I’m incredibly proud of our Women’s Advisory Council for their work to inspire and support our county’s young achievers,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson, liaison to the Women’s Advisory Council. “Awarding scholarships is one of the ways we support our future leaders, and we want to once again thank the Alice Paul Institute, Virtua Health and Remington & Vernick for partnering with us to grow this program so we can recognize and assist even more standout scholars.”
This year’s reception featured a new scholarship awarded to a high achiever who aspires to serve her nation as a member of the U.S. military.
Allyson Kittel, a graduating senior of Northern Burlington County Regional High School who aspires to become a KC-46 pilot with the U.S. Air Force, was selected to receive the inaugural Burlington County Commissioners’ Future Hero Scholarship.
Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel said all six scholarship recipients are top-performing students who have gone above and beyond in and out of school.
“These young women are already inspirational due to their achievements and service, both in school and their communities,” said Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel, who is also a liaison to the Women’s Advisory Council. “We are proud to help support their continuing education and we look forward to them carrying on our county’s legacy of outstanding women.”
The Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council works to identify and address issues that impact women in Burlington County, increase public awareness about the special needs of women and to enhance the quality of life of women. For more information, follow tine Council on Facebook at @BurlingtonCountyWomen or visit https://co.burlington.nj.us/263/Womens-Advisory-Council .
The following is a rundown of the scholarship award winners:
Burlington County & Alice Paul Champion Scholarship: Natalie Sherrill
Natalie is graduating from Palmyra High School and will attend Seton Hall University, where she plans to study nursing and psychology. She was accepted into the university’s leadership institute and will participate in leadership-training classes and student-led initiatives, such as a daily podcast, student council and community events.
At Palmyra High, Natalie was class vice-president and treasurer of the student council. She also served as president of the Spanish National Honors Society and of the school’s Interact, a volunteer club that organizes service projects. In that role she helped lead the school’s MLK Day of Service projects, including a cleanup at Palmyra Cove, making blankets for the Linus Project and creating holiday cards for the residents of a local nursing home.
She also helped organize fundraisers for the pediatric cancer charity, Hugs for Brady.
Natalie is a member of the school’s soccer and winter and spring track teams and has been a member of the National Honor Society and was a junior counselor with the New Jersey Association of Student Council’s leadership training conference. Outside of school, she is a library organizer for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Reach Out and Read program and a preschool church volunteer and dance student.
Burlington County & Remington & Vernick STEM Innovation Scholarship: Catherine Marino
Catherine is graduating from Northern Burlington County Regional High School and will attend Purdue University. She plans to study mechanical engineering.
At Northern, Catherine is a member of the National Honors Society and an active member of the school’s Interact Club and its service projects. She also volunteers with Cape for Kids, an initiative where students decorate fun capes for children at homeless shelters.
Outside of school, she has also participated in fundraisers for Special Olympics, including a 24-hour soccer marathon. She also volunteered with multiple town cleanups in Springfield.
She said she chose to pursue engineering as a future career because of the work engineers perform and the contributions they make to society.
Burlington County & Virtua Health Light Maker Scholarship: Kavya Parik
Kavya is graduating from Cherokee High School and has been accepted into both Northeastern and Tufts University. She intends to seek a degree in community health.
At Cherokee, Kavya serves on the Student Council Executive Board, captains the school Math Team and is president of the Latin Honor Society and Women of the World Club. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and the American Sign Language Club.
Outside of school, Kavya is vice-president of the Evesham Youth Advisory Committee and the founder of Tampon Express, an organization that distributes hygiene and menstrual products to needy women and teens.
She also teaches kindergarteners about Hinduism and is an avid competitive dancer.
Burlington County Educating the Future Scholarship: Nazifa Hasna
Nazifa is graduating from Florence Memorial High School and plans to continue her studies at Rutgers University-Camden. She will major in early childhood education and minor in psychology and aspires to become a teacher.
Nazifa is a member of Florence’s National Honor Society, Interact, Yearbook, Cultural Awareness for Everyone, Art Club and Games Club. She also is vice president of the Future Teachers Club.
This year alone she completed more than 80 hours of community service activities ranging from managing the school concession stand and volunteering at the book fair to helping to organize school supplies, books and plastics recycling drives.
Nazifa says she is passionate about education and hopes to become a teacher who “helps shape the future of my students so they contribute to society in a meaningful way.”
Burlington County Leading the Way Scholarship: Katrina Benton
Katrina is graduating from Bordentown Regional High School and will attend Townson University. She plans to major in criminal justice and minor in women-gender studies and communications.
Katrina aspires to a career in public service as a member of law enforcement. She hopes to eventually become a member of a forensics unit and specialize in crimes against women and children.
Katrina has played four years of varsity softball and has captained the team for two years. She also serves as a peer-to-peer mentor and the manager of the high school’s Step Team.
In addition to playing high school and club softball, Katrina volunteers with girls Little League and travel softball teams. She has committed to playing softball for Townson University.
Burlington County Commissioners’ Future Hero Scholarship: Allyson Kittel
Allyson is graduating from Northern Burlington County Regional High School and plans to attend Liberty University and participate with the school’s Air Force ROTC program. After completing college, she hopes to join the Air Force and become a KC-46 pilot.
Allyson is active with Northern’s Air Force JROTC and the International Thespian Society. She has participated in fall and spring productions as both a seamstress, puppeteer, stage crew and stage manager.
Allyson has been an active member of the Civil Air Patrol since 8th grade. Through the program, she attended a flight academy and successfully completed her first solo flight in a Cessna 172.
She has also completed more than 260 hours of community service with the Civil Air Patrol and participated in multiple Wreaths Across America ceremonies, community cleanups and air shows.
Allyson is also a member of Women in Aviation and has received four Commanders’ Commendations for her service advocating for the program with members of Congress.