October 19, 2021
At the Annual Member Meeting held at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City on Thursday, October 7th, the Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association (GNJMA) announced the winners of the 3rd Annual Scholarship Awards for 2021. The program was developed to promote higher education goals of our members, and their families, whether it be to pursue a college degree or a trade certification. The Scholarship Program is funded by fundraising efforts. This year, GNJMA held an online auction and their Annual Golf Outing on October 6th to benefit the program. Donations are welcome!
The winners for 2021 are Madison Butler, nominated by Allied Member Turning Stone Casino and Reagan Ertel, nominated by Operator Member Trans Bridge Lines. Each received a check in the amount of $1,500 each, and a plaque.
Those eligible to apply for scholarships are full-time employees or the dependent children of full-time employees of Operator Member companies. Also eligible are the employees of Allied Members companies or the dependent children of the Allied Member companies.
The eligible employee, of a GNJMA member company, must have been employed for at least one year by January 1 in the year in which the scholarships are awarded. Also, those eligible to apply must already be registered to a full-time college, professional school or trade school in the previous fall or at the time of application. They must also be holding a minimum GPA of 3.0 or if a professional school, the equivalent of a B grade.
Tim Stout, president of GNJMA, congratulated the winners and thanked the Scholarship Committee members for their volunteerism. They are: Rich Eckelson (Caesars Entertainment), Roy Furo (Prevost), Meg Lewis (Resorts), Tony Mongiovi (TEMSA), Jonathan Robbins (ABC Companies), Michael Trageser (Retired) and Steve Weiss (MCI/NFI).
Quotes from our winners:
- Madison Butler: “I am so honored and thankful to have received this award and astounding opportunity. I would like to show my gratitude and thanks to the Board of Directors for selecting me for the 2021 Greater NJ Motorcoach Association scholarship”.
Read an excerpt from Madison’s application: Some people know exactly what they want to do for the rest of their life from the minute they are born. While others go through their entire life never knowing what they want to do. However, I have known for a long time that teaching is something I have wanted to pursue. I was always so lucky to have such amazing and influential teachers growing up, maybe some could even say that affected my career choices. Teaching adds purpose to your life. I hope to go to college and major in early childhood education from preschool to 6th grade. I hope to get a good internship while there. I also aspire to include music into my career in some way. Therefore, I do plan on taking up a few music related courses in college. After college, I hope to obtain a stable teaching job in an elementary school.
- Reagan Ertel: "I wanted to reach out to thank you [GNJMA] and the Board of Directors for awarding me with the 2021 Greater NJ Motorcoach Association scholarship. I am honored to have had the opportunity to apply and even more stoked to hear that I have been selected as the winner!”
Read an excerpt from Reagan’s application: My goal is to earn a degree in business administration in 4-years. After earning my B.S. Degree, I’d like to enroll in master’s degree program. After graduation from a master’s degree program, I would like to start a career in the travel industry. I love learning about new places, assisting others, and overall meeting new people from other places. Seeing how others live and travel is interesting to me and I plan to help guide them through their experiences.
***The GNJMA is a group of leaders in the motorcoach, casino and travel industry that represents bus operators and owners in New Jersey and its region. The association works in cooperation with industry associations, local, state, and federal agencies, legislators, vendors, attractions, and destinations to promote the betterment and welfare of the motorcoach industry, their members, and association objectives. The association takes proactive steps in promoting safety in the motorcoach industry by sponsoring safety workshops for bus drivers, driver excellence award programs, inspection workshops, scholarship program and industry professional awards. For more information visit www.gnjma.com or contact Patricia Cowley, Executive Director 908-750-4538 pcowley@gnjma.com. ***