The Hope Exists Foundation, Atlantic County Sheriff Eric Scheffler and the Gormley family of Margate teamed up this week to provide educational scholarships to 10 people who are either members of the Sheriff’s Office or children of officers.
Scheffler, former State Sen. William Gormley and Hope Exists Chairman William Mazur awarded the scholarships to members of the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office and their children who are pursuing degrees in higher education.
The awards were presented at the Superior Court complex in Mays Landing. State Sen. Vince Polistina and Assemblyman Don Guardian were also in attendance and spoke highly of the team for making the scholarships possible.
The Sheriff Gormley Scholarship Award honors the late Gerard Gormley, who served as Atlantic County Sheriff for more than 20 years starting in the 1940s.
Scheffler created the scholarship to honor Gormley as one of the most respected law enforcement officers in the county and state.
“It is an honor and a privilege to continue this scholarship in Sheriff Gormley’s name,” Scheffler said. “We are thankful for the support from the Gormley family, PBA 243, Shore Medical, and the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Hope Exists Foundation to make this year’s award the largest yet.”
William Gormley, Gerald Gormley’s son, said he and his family are elated to be teamed up with the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Foundation and the Sheriff’s office to create a scholarship program he knows his father would be proud of because he was a true believer in higher education.
Gormley said he knows his father would be ecstatic that his legacy is helping adults and children alike in achieving their aspirations.
In all, 10 scholarships were awarded, and the recipients are:
- Officer Jillian Gallagher
- Officer Lynne DeLeon
- Benjamin Cericola
- Douglas Cericola Jr.
- Christian Cericola
- Reganne Engstler
- Abigail DeLeon
- Charlotte DeLeon
- Huy Nguyen
- Richard DeLeon
