Scholarships, Success, and New Beginnings
Senior Awards Night honors the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 while showcasing the community's commitment to supporting students' next chapter
LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ -- Opportunity met achievement at Linden High School's Senior Awards Night as members of the Class of 2026 were recognized with scholarships, honors, and awards that celebrated their academic excellence while helping pave the way toward their future goals.
Held on June 4, the annual event brought together students, families, educators, community leaders, and scholarship sponsors to celebrate the accomplishments of graduating seniors and the opportunities awaiting them after high school. Throughout the evening, students were recognized with 134 local scholarships totaling $124,750, while additional Navy ROTC full-ride scholarships valued at approximately $750,000 highlighted the remarkable success of this year's graduating class.
Co-chaired by Laurie Juliano and Laura Golebiewski and organized by the Linden High School Counseling Department, the ceremony showcased the hard work, leadership, service, and perseverance that have defined the Class of 2026.
"This evening is a reflection of what can happen when talented students are supported by dedicated families, educators, and a community that believes in their success," said Linden High School Principal Charles Koonce. "These scholarships represent not only financial support, but recognition of the character, commitment, and potential our students have demonstrated throughout their high school journey."
Community Support Creates Opportunity
The evening highlighted the extraordinary generosity of local organizations, businesses, civic groups, alumni associations, educational partners, and community members who continue to invest in Linden students.
Scholarships were presented by organizations including the Linden Board of Education, Mayor's Office, Linden Fire Fighters & Officers Association, Phillips 66, Linden Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club of Linden, Linden Education Association, PTA, NJROTC, and numerous memorial scholarship funds established in honor of community leaders, educators, alumni, and loved ones.
Together, these scholarships reflected a community-wide commitment to helping students pursue higher education, military service, vocational training, and professional careers.
Recognizing Excellence
Among the evening's most prestigious awards was the Otto T. Salzer Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Chemistry, funded anonymously and awarded to Sophia Prezeau, who received a $9,000 scholarship.
The William Treuchtlinger Memorial Scholarship awarded two $8,000 scholarships to Mathew Kozak and Abigail Gomez, while the Phillips 66 Excellence in Science Scholarship recognized Laila Thorne with a $5,000 award.
The Vida Evan Nogi and Leslie Nogi Luminati Memorial Scholarship awarded $5,000 scholarships to both Hannah Valverde and Kamila Florez, recognizing their academic achievements and future promise.
Several students earned multiple scholarships throughout the evening, reflecting sustained excellence in academics, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and community service.
Pathways to the Future
The ceremony also highlighted the success of Linden High School's Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program. In addition to numerous NJROTC scholarships awarded during the evening, members of the Class of 2026 secured approximately $750,000 in Navy ROTC full-ride scholarship opportunities, opening doors to higher education and future military service.
For many students, the awards represented more than financial assistance. They served as validation of years of dedication and a reminder that their efforts had been recognized by a community eager to see them succeed.
As graduates prepare to embark on their next chapter, whether attending college, entering the workforce, pursuing military service, or exploring specialized career pathways, Senior Awards Night celebrated not only their accomplishments, but also the promise of what lies ahead.
Juliano and Golebiewski expressed their gratitude to the many individuals and organizations who helped make the event possible.
"We are sincerely grateful to our scholarship sponsors, community dignitaries, and school administrators for their support," they said. "We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the students and families who joined us and helped make the evening a memorable and special celebration for the Class of 2026 scholarship recipients."