FIRE CHIEFS SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED

The Rockland County Fire Chiefs” Association made its annual scholarship presentations Thursday July 17, at the Tallman firehouse during the monthly RC Fire Chiefs’ Assn. meeting. The awards were presented by scholarship chairman and chaplin Richard Silverberg and and RCFCA president Harold Straut. There were three winners: Zachary Borden, Marissa Martuscelli, and Gabriella Capello. Each received a $1,000 scholarship check.

This first award was to Marissa Martuscelli, the daughter of ex-chief Vincent Martuscelli Jr., who is a member of the Hugh Gassner Fire Department of South Spring Valley. Marissa graduated from Albertus Magnus high school, and plans on attending Sam Houston University located in Hunstville, Texas. Marissa’s wants to dedicate her life to studying people from various backgrounds and as well, analyzing justice systems of countries from all over the world.

The second scholarship award was presented to Gabrilla Capello, the granddaughter of Robert A. Capello of the Spring Valley Fire Department. Gabriella graduated from Pearl River high school, and will be attending Fairfield University located in Fairfield, Conn. She is a member of the National Honor Society as well as a member of the Model United Nations.

She states in her essay that she will be taking two major subjects, one being accounting and the second being in finance. She plans on taking full advantage of the internship offered by the college. She also plans on studying in London, England, and one of her educational goals would be to become a CPA, however, her first choice would be to work in the fashion industry, and also to have the freedom to work in other areas.

The third and final scholarship went to Hillcrest firefighter Zachary Borden, whose father Ken is an ex-chief of the Hillcrest Fire Company. Zack graduated from North Rockland high school. He plans on attending Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. Zack was a member of “The Crew” which means that he rowed the boat for the school’s rowing team. He worked at Ferncliff Manor, where he took part in taking care of disabled children. Zack’s future plans include getting a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.