MBCA awards more than $30,000 in scholarships

The MBCA Foundation awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships to future area college students along with teacher grants — about 20 in total — at the MBCA Foundation Annual Spring Scholarship Luncheon at Resorts Casino Hotel on Monday, April 28.

The Atlantic City-based organization, whose mission statement is to make Atlantic City a better place to live, work and visit through beautification projects while also awarding scholarships to students, was founded nearly 35 years ago by Gary Hill and John Schultz and has awarded well over $400,000 over the years to students and teachers.

“We are so thrilled to once again help the students, who will one day be the future of Atlantic City and Atlantic County, as well as the teachers who are already making an impact in our community,” said MBCA Co-Executive Director Gary Hill. “The scholarship dollars we award increase every year thanks to our awesome scholarship sponsors who make this a reality.”

State Department of Education Kevin Dehmer motivates students at the MBCA Scholarship Luncheon.

The event, headed by Scholarship Chairman Chris Mularz, of Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation, and Scholarship Chair Emeritus Alex Marino, of Stockton University, honored Dr. Philip Guenther, Superintendent of Atlantic County Special Services and Vocational School Districts, with the MBCA’s first Legacy in Education Award. The keynote address was delivered by State Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer.

Scholarship Sponsors included the Epicurean Society of Southern New Jersey, AtlantiCare, Stage Trip, Glenn Insurance, Inc.,Accent Aesthetics, The Mariana & Anthony Galinu Memorial Scholarship, Martin Wilson Arts Music Foundation Scholarship, The Jingoli Scholarship, Mosaic (formerly Seashore Gardens Foundation), as well as new scholarships this year from Atlantic Cape Community College, Chelsea EDC, Midtown Atlantic City CDC and Cooper Levenson Attorneys at Law.