The motto of our 2016 I WILL WAIT FOR YOU: The Rick Salmastrelli Scholarship winner is:

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

We are proud and honored to award Matthew Stever with this year’s $1000 scholarship. A DECA member and future Montclair State University student, Matt has completed his high school career with a 3.5 GPA, AP courses, and years of community service with many organizations including the Lawrence Hamnett Association.

Not only has Matt been able to maintain a solid GPA and participate in varsity soccer and winter track and field, he has also had a job since 2015. We definitely selected a well-rounded individual for the 2016 scholarship, haven’t we?!

Matt Stever with Tina and Cristina Salmastrelli

Lawrence High Varsity Soccer Coach Keith Fithen summed Matt up perfectly when stating, “Heart can’t be measured in goals or assists, it can, however, be measured in the respect and admiration [Matt’s] teammates display to him.”

Self-described as “hardworking, persistent, driven, caring and courageous,” Matt Stever has a bright future ahead of him and we are proud to be a part of it. One of the best parts of moving on to college it the new batch of memories one will make, but in Matt’s case, I do not think they will be replacing those made with his friends, colleagues, and teachers during his tenure at Lawrence High School:

“My favorite [sports memory] would have to be during my senior night game for soccer. We played on Zimmer Field under the lights. I was not a regular starter for the team but because it was senior night, I got to start in the game. When the game started and I lined up, the student body started chanting my name. This is my favorite moment because it made me feel appreciated and happy.”

Thank you, Matt Stever, for becoming part of our journey at the I WILL WAIT FOR YOU: The Rick Salmastrelli Foundation. You sure have made an impression on us and, without a doubt, will continue for many years to come!

Good Luck this fall at Montclair State University!

Matt Stever with his proud parents

We are proud and honored to award Maeve Humphreys the 2015 Rick Salmastrelli Scholarship. After reading all about Maeve (in her application) we couldn’t wait to meet her in person. We were finally able to congratulate this star at the Lawrence High School Sports Banquet on Thursday, May 21st. Read on to learn all that we love about Maeve!

Not only was our 2015 scholarship recipient a part of the varsity soccer and swimming programs all four years of high school, but she was also named captain of both teams her senior year. In addition to her amazing achievements in sports, Maeve excelled in her academics, accumulating a 4.3 GPA by the end of her high school career! Maeve will graduate in the top 15 of her class early next month!

If you wondered if Maeve had any free time outside of her sports and studies, shockingly she did, and she put that time into teaching and helping others. Maeve was a part of Peer Leadership, Model UN, and The Company, a local association under the umbrella organization THREADS focusing on empowering female students. It is clear to say that Maeve can motivate, listen, and lead in any situation!

In response to receiving this scholarship, Maeve stated:

“I just wanted to thank you (one last time) for awarding me with this amazing scholarship! I think it’s really special that your family gives back to the community in Rick’s honor, and is truly a testament to his character. I was so excited to be awarded this scholarship, considering Rick’s impactful legacy on not only LHS, but also his larger community as a whole. So once again, thank you so much! It is truly an honor. ”

No, Maeve, it is the honor of all of us!

This self described grounded and focused young adult will be attending University of Virginia this fall to take her leadership skills one step further into her college career! We are all excited to see what Ms. Humphreys has in store for us next! Congratulations, Maeve!

Two Is Better Than One!

Well, third time’s a charm!  We were incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful pool of applicants to choose from for the third annual I WILL WAIT FOR YOU: The Rick Salmastrelli Scholarship.  It is truly amazing what these student athletes have accomplished and all before before they turned 18!

This year we selected two stellar gentlemen, Dominick DiTommaso and Cory Zrinko for the I WILL WAIT FOR YOU: The Rick Salmastrelli Scholarship. Both have achieved so much at Lawrence High School and have such bright futures ahead.  We are lucky to be a part of their journeys!

Dominick DiTommaso will be attending the Maine Maritime Academy this fall.  He has had a high school full of obstacles, but nothing kept Dominick from focusing on team spirit and community building to help him achieve his goals.

“I began my high school career with the dream of being a varsity letter winner in soccer, swimming and baseball.  In the spring of my sophomore year I sustained a traumatic brain injury which derailed some of these goals, but opened my eyes even further to the power of team & community spirit. While I was hospitalized in ICU my teammates played the game of their lives and each and every day of rehab I worked to get back on the field with them.  I will always carry this positive energy in my heart and believe that no matter where you play the game, you can have a powerful influence on others.”

Dominick DiTommaso with Tina Salmastrelli

Cory Zrinko started his career on skates at the ice hockey rink.  As a varsity member all four years of high school, Cory achieved rookie of the year his freshman year and the Scott Bertoli CVC Sportsmanship award his sophomore year.  Cory then went on to be assistant captain in his junior year and captain of the ice hockey team his senior year.  Cory was named one of the top 25 New Jersey high school scorers in 2013. As if he wasn’t busy enough at the rink, Cory was also a member of the golf team, receiving a varsity letter all four years and named most valuable golfer his senior year.  Cory wrote these kind words after receiving the I WILL WAIT FOR YOU: The Rick Salmastrelli Scholarship:

“I am honored to be recognized as a part of Rick’s greatness and amazing legacy left on the Lawrence High Athletic Program.  I will be attending Rutgers University New Brunswick in the Fall and will be playing ice hockey there.  I cannot put it into words how grateful I am to have been selected for this scholarship.”

Cory Zrinko in full hockey gear

This past May, we were back at Lawrence High School to present the second annual I WILL WAIT FOR YOU: The Rick Salmastrelli Scholarship. This year we were honored to receive many submissions from applicants that were living by Rick’s team work and community minded mentality.  Although it was hard to select just one, we were proud to award the second annual Rick Salmastrelli Scholarship to Morgan Downs!

Morgan Downs is a multi-sport athlete at Lawrence High School that not only plays soccer and varsity lacrosse, but also varsity basketball.  She has dedicated a majority of her time and life thus far to sports and her teammates.  Morgan is an outgoing, loyal and warm-hearted person which spills over from the sports field into her daily life at school.  Morgan has experienced the tragic loss of her mother from cancer and even with that deep hurt and pain, she continues to be the leader and community builder that she always had been before the life changing event.  As one of her teacher’s states, “[Morgan] is a role model beyond words.” Morgan will be attending Alvernia University in the fall.

This past May the first I WILL WAIT FOR YOU: The Rick Salmastrelli Scholarship was presented at Lawrence High School’s senior sport banquet! Rick loved being a part of Lawrence sports and this scholarship allows him to have a presence in the lives of current and future athletes.  We were honored that Lawrence High School added us to their roster of awards and look forward to being a staple in this annual ceremony.

We would like to proudly announce that the I WILL WAIT FOR YOU: The Rick Salmastrelli Scholarship was awarded to Jessica Rubenstein! Jessica Rubinstein played tennis all four years at Lawrence High School, three as a varsity singles player.  She was team captain her senior year.   While in high school, she devoted most of her free time in a myriad of organizations, providing volunteer work and community service.   She is a member of the incoming class of 2016 at Binghamton University where she intends to continue to get involved and give back to the local community.