Red Bank High Student Wins 2018 Writing Scholarship

June 21, 2018

The Selection Committee of The Jonathan Maslow Scholarship today announced the recipient of its 2018 scholarship award.

Willow Martin, a graduating senior at Red Bank Regional High School (RBRHS), will receive a scholarship in the amount of $5,000. Though Willow will study Physics at Cornell, her passion remains writing and she intends to “author books relaying details of astrophysical research in a [way] that engages even people without extensive backgrounds in the subject.” In 2017, Willow submitted a short play to the New Jersey Repertory Company Theatre Brut Competition, which was chosen for production in their Festival of the Arts. Willow is the salutatorian of her class and has volunteered with numerous local organizations, including as a peer tutor.

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. Since its founding in 1979, the Community Foundation 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. These more than 1,100 Legacy Funds and Donor Advised Funds grant tens of millions of dollars each year, and have enabled the Community Foundation to launch its own Changemaker Projects that are improving New Jersey and its dynamic communities. The Community Foundation’s funds currently hold over $450 million in charitable assets and made over 5,000 grants last year to charitable work in New Jersey and around the world.