Little Silver’s Lootsma Wins 2019 Writing Scholarship

June 26, 2019

The Selection Committee of The Jonathan Maslow Scholarship today announced the recipient of its 2019 scholarship award.

Page Lootsma, a graduating senior at Red Bank Regional High School (RBRHS), will receive a scholarship in the amount of $5,000. Page is an aspiring mechanical engineer who excelled both in the classroom and on the hockey rink. He will attend Northeastern University this fall.

The Jonathan Maslow Scholarship is awarded to students exhibiting exceptionally high levels of written proficiency, creativity, and originality, as well as an interest in local or national environmental causes, journalism, or creative writing.  The one-time $5,000 scholarship is open to all RBRHS juniors and seniors who plan to continue their education at an accredited 2 or 4-year college immediately following their graduation.

The fund was established by members of the RBRHS Class of 1966 in memory of their classmate, Jonathan Maslow.  Jonathan was an accomplished author, journalist, documentary filmmaker, naturalist, and environmentalist.  At the time of his death in 2008 he was an editor and columnist for the Herald News in Paterson, New Jersey.  His accomplishments as a journalist and his commitment to his community are reflected in the many awards bestowed on him including The New Jersey Press Association for Responsible Journalism and the Joseph M. Sklenar Editorial Award.  Never one to shy away from a challenge, Jonathan covered civil strife in Central America, helped save a library in the City of Passaic, fought vigorously to help clean up the Passaic River, and championed efforts to make politicians accountable for their actions.

The Community Foundation of New Jersey administers the fund on behalf of the Scholarship Directors.

About the Community Foundation of New Jersey

The Community Foundation of New Jersey educates and engages the people of New Jersey on the power of charitable giving to effect positive change in our communities. For 40 years, the Community Foundation team has counseled New Jersey families and businesses on how to use philanthropic funds to target and increase the impact of their giving in the areas that matter most to them. More than 1,100 Legacy Funds and Donor Advised Funds grant tens of millions of dollars each year, enabling the Community Foundation to launch its own Changemaker Projects that address critical, overlooked challenges. The Community Foundation’s funds currently hold over $425 million in charitable assets and granted more than $66 million in 2018 to charitable work in New Jersey and beyond.