WOBM CC Honors Scholars & Basketball Players

It seems like it’s been more than a month since I’ve done one of these but in truth it was two weeks ago that I wished you all the best during the holiday season while saying goodbye to 2022.  Since I last shared thoughts with you the 38^th annual WOBM Christmas Classic was held and we had an outstanding week-long basketball tournament at the RWJBarnabas Health Arena.

I could not possibly thank all of those who contribute but at the top of the list would be Jersey Mike’s, The Causeway Family of Dealerships in Manahawkin, Seaview Orthopaedics, Surf Taco, Atlantic Physical Therapy Center, Wendy’s, The Clarion Hotel, Office Lounge and the U.S. Marines.  They and another dozen or so sponsors really help make this a unique holiday event and one I am especially proud of.

One sponsor I did not yet mention is Community Medical Center/RWJBarnabas Health.  In recent years they have provided the funding for our academic scholarship program which awards $4000 to eight current college freshman who participated in the WOBM Christmas Classic last December as seniors.  The selections are based solely on their performance in the classroom and the awards were made at halftime of championship games last Friday by Dr. Teri Kubiel, Vice President of Community & Government Affairs for RWJBH Southern Region-Ocean County.

This year’s winners of $500 scholarships were Kelly Goodall (TR East/Rutgers University), Lauren Lacey (Wall/Florida State University), Kolby McGowan (Manasquan/Brookdale CC Stars Program), Chloe Seluchins (TR South/Stevenson University), Ryan Baker (TR North/Villanova University), Ryan Keegan (Freehold Township/Rutgers University), Liam Thomas (St. John Vianney/Boston College) and Vasu Raval (Marlboro/Villanova University).

What’s really exciting is with this year’s awards we have now given out $99,000 in academic scholarships so we’ll reach a milestone next December.