THE PATHWAY TO COLLEGE: Since 1970 the 101: Fund has provided need-based college scholarships for Princeton High School graduates. This year’s 101: Fund all-volunteer board, pictured above, awarded scholarships to 30 PHS graduating seniors, and additional funding to support other recent PHS graduates in college. (Photo courtesy of 101: Fund)

By Donald Gilpin

In its 55th year of existence, the 101: Fund recently awarded scholarships to 30 Princeton High School (PHS) graduating seniors. In total the Fund will provide more than $176,000 during the next year to support recent graduates.

This was a record number of scholarship awards to new graduates, with many recipients being the first in their families to attend college.

The featured speaker at the June 10 awards ceremony was Kevin Lara Lemus, a former 101: Fund scholarship award recipient who is a recent graduate of the Mercer County Community College (MCCC) nursing program. He spoke about the significant help that the 101: Fund provided, both financially and through mentorship, during his college experience.

The 30 101: Fund scholarship recipients possess a wide range of talents, accomplishments — both academic and extracurricular — and backgrounds, as well as an impressive array of plans for college and beyond.

The next step in their academic journeys will take them to American University, Boston University, Delaware State University, Delaware Valley University, Drexel University, Grinnell College, MCCC, Penn State, Pratt, Rhode Island School of Design, Rider University, Rutgers University, Seton Hall, Stevens Institute of Technology, Stockton University, William Paterson University, University of Colorado, University of Delaware, University of Miami, and University of Michigan.

The 101: Fund has been providing need-based college scholarships to PHS graduates since its founding by a school secretary in 1970.

“101 has given me an opportunity to keep learning and continue my education,” one PHS alumnus and 101: Fund scholarship recipient wrote when he graduated from MCCC. “I have learned a lot from great people like you and this has encouraged me to work harder. Thank you for your willingness to help students.”

Another past scholarship recipient wrote, “The 101: Fund has given me the opportunity to achieve my dreams of going to college. I am the first person in my family to attend a four-year school, and because of the 101: Fund I am able to achieve my goal of becoming a teacher.”

The all-volunteer 101: Fund Board raises funds each year through campaigns and an annual spring benefit. “A rigorous awards process is conducted each year to adjust to the ever-changing landscape of college admissions and costs,” explained Board President Tony Klockenbrink. “This year’s award process had to navigate the nationally publicized challenges with the FAFSA application.”

Klockenbrink noted that the board has partnered closely with MCCC to ensure that students are ready for college and are taking advantage of all available state and federal grants.

This year’s awards committee co-chairs were Jennifer Jang and Christina Walden. The 101: Fund Board is currently looking for “caring and compassionate adults” to serve as mentors to work with MCCC-bound students as they navigate the next phase of their lives. For more information, visit 101fund.org or email info@101fund.org.