The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund is proud to announce the 2022 recipients of its annual college scholarships for cancer patients and survivors. Eighteen patients and survivors were awarded scholarships to use at the college of their choice.
Funded by generous donors, the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation scholarships were established to offer hope beyond cancer, providing financial support so cancer patients and survivors can attend college and live out their dreams. Winners are chosen based on academic achievement, moral character, attitude, and resilience.
Congratulations to each of these very deserving and inspiring young people!

Isabella Brinson

Sherry Murray Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Isabella will be graduating from Ponte Vedra High School this spring and was honored to receive the “Character Counts” responsibility award.  Her interest in the arts led her to become an active member of her high school Concert and Marching Band, Dance Club, and the Ponte Vedra Wind Symphony. Isabella’s hero is her brother, Jude, who was the perfect match to be her bone marrow transplant donor. Isabella will be attending Flagler College this fall.

 

Rashawn Floyd

Wenger Family Stem Scholarship Recipient 

Rashawn is a senior at Middleburg High School and a member of the Future Business Leaders of America club. He is a four-year member of the varsity track team and manager of the Step Team. He displays outstanding leadership skills as a third year VyStar student intern. Rashawn recently assisted the Jay Fund in leading our adolescence and young adult patients in a financial literacy presentation.  He looks forward to attending University of Central Florida in the fall, where he plans to study finance.

 

Leonard Jasper

PGA Tour Scholarship Recipient

Leonard is a high school senior at Columbia High School and a member of the National Honor Society. He was one of two students selected to apply to the prestigious New Jersey Governor’s School and is a New Jersey Governors Stem Scholar. Leonard was the captain of the Robotics Club and led his team to a state championship. He is also a member of his high school’s baseball team and an active Valerie Fund volunteer. Leonard will be attending Virginia Tech this fall and plans on majoring in biomedical engineering. He hopes to one day build prosthetics for children that don’t limit their physical freedom.

 

Allen Karottu

RWJBarnabas Health Scholarship Recipient

Allen is graduating from Manhattan Hunter Science High School this June and is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. He underwent major limb reconstruction surgeries over the past few years and had to relearn how to walk. Throughout his treatment, Allen took a rigorous course load and is an AP Scholar Award winner and a member of the National Honor Society. Allen remained active throughout high school and participated in the Botany Club, Teens for Food Justice, and his church youth group. Allen will be attending Notre Dame this fall, majoring in human science, and dreams of becoming a surgeon.

 

Andrew Lopez

PepsiCo Scholarship Recipient

Andrew will be graduating from Paramus Catholic High School this June after a stellar academic career. He took a particularly challenging course load of AP classes and is a member of the National Honor Society and Principal’s List. He has also been recognized as a Questbridge National Scholar. A self-described “extra-extravert”, Andrew was a member of the Coding Club, vice president of the Coding Club and an active participant in campus ministry. With a passion for computers and technology, Andrew plans to major in computer science at the University of Virginia this fall.

 

Briana Lopez

Visa Inc. Scholarship Recipient

Briana is a high school senior at Fort Lee High School and long-time honor student. She has developed a keen passion for drama and is a member of the Academy of Theatre Arts. In addition, as a member of the Drama Club, Briana was responsible for wardrobe and make-up for all her high school productions. Spending many months in treatment and missing school has led Briana to dream of becoming a child life specialist and help children who are going through similar experiences. Briana plans to major in psychology and child development at Florida Southern College.

 

Daniel McCaffery

PricewaterhouseCoopers Scholarship Recipient

Daniel is a graduate of Arthur L. Johnson High School and is now studying business at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. His stellar accolades in high school include being a member of the National Honor Society, recognized as the student with the Highest GPA among spring 2021 athletes, as well as crowned Homecoming King. Daniel has been very engaged in community service and organized a fundraiser to support a young girl with brain cancer. He also took a leadership role with his church youth group in feeding the homeless every month at a YMCA shelter. At the start of the pandemic, Daniel cleared a large area of land and turned it into a garden of fruits, vegetables, and flowers for neighbors to enjoy. Daniel’s career goal is to become an accountant.

 

Matthew McClure

Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Scholarship Recipient

Matthew is graduating from The Bolles School and is a four-year member of the National Honor Society. He received a prestigious National Merit Letter of Commendation.  Matthew is active in cross country and track and is a member of the Community Peds Care Teen Advisory Board. Matthew credits his dedication to running to helping him achieve academic success.  Matthew plans to pursue a career in business and prelaw at Emory University and hopes to fulfill his goal of becoming a lawyer.

 

Carlyce McIntosh

Wells Fargo Scholarship Recipient

Carlyce is a high school senior at Cardinal Spellman High School and has been named a College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar. She undertook a challenging course load throughout high school while also serving as the president of the Young Republican’s Club and a judge for the NY Urban Debate League and Speech and Debate Club. Due to her cancer treatment, Carlyce relies on a wheelchair or crutches to navigate her world and has been inspired by her supportive team of doctors to become an anesthesiologist or orthopedic surgeon. Carlyce plans to follow a pre-med track at the University of Rochester this fall.

 

Daniel Rodriguez

Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Scholarship Recipient

Daniel is a senior at Rahway High School and, after two years, completed his cancer treatment in December and has finally been able to return to school for the rest of his senior year. Despite undergoing intensive chemotherapy, Daniel has remained on the Honor Roll and has been recognized as the Student of the Month. He also participates in the JROTC program at his high school and holds down a part-time job working 20 hours per week. Daniel has a passion for technology and plans to study computer engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology beginning this fall.

 

Mya Rodriguez

Tisch Family Scholarship Recipient

Mya graduated from Hudson County Schools of Technology – High Tech High School in June of 2021. Her plans of attending New York University’s Tisch School of Drama were put on hold last summer when she was diagnosed with cancer. Mya has already distinguished herself as an accomplished thespian, dancer, and singer. She participates in the Bergen Performing Arts Center and Choir, as well as multiple community theatre productions. During the pandemic, Mya created a video with her classmates to show support for the teachers in her high school.  Mya is excited to finally begin her classes at New York University this fall as a drama major.

 

Sofia Sampedro

Barry Family Scholarship Recipient

Sofia is a senior at Lyndhurst High School and has spent most of her high school years in treatment for cancer. Despite being diagnosed her sophomore year, Sofia has excelled both academically and in her extracurricular activities. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. Sofia enjoys sports and was a member of her high school soccer, basketball, and swim teams.  In addition, Sofia was an active participant in the Art, Italian, Multicultural and Animal Welfare Clubs. Sofia is excited to continue her studies at Ramapo College of New Jersey this fall as an elementary education major. Her dream is to educate young children.

 

Daniella Serafino

Bisignano Family Scholarship Recipient

Daniella is graduating from Nutley High School in June as a member of the National Honor Society, Italian Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. She is a four-year member of her high school choir, works at the Nutley Public Library and spends summers with Nutley’s LET’S LEARN program helping young children. Daniella’s cancer diagnosis has motivated her and her two siblings to pursue an education in the sciences. Daniella will be attending Montclair State University this fall and hopes to become a pediatric dentist.

 

Jack Silver

William V. Campbell Foundation Scholarship Recipient

Jack is a senior at Pascack Hills High School and has achieved academic excellence despite frequently attending classes virtually during treatment for cancer. Jack is a true leader and a member of the National Honor Society and a pitcher and captain for his high school baseball team. He served in a leadership position with Friendship Circle, an organization that promotes understanding of the unique gifts of people with special needs. Jack, along with his family, organized several fundraisers and donated over $60,000 to several charities that supported his family during his illness. These fundraising efforts have led Jack to pursue an education in marketing and sports management at the University of Michigan this fall.

 

Sydney Svendsen

Wenger Family Stem Scholarship Recipient

Sydney will start her senior year at Florida State University this fall where her focus is food and nutrition science. She plans to pursue a career in medicine and is currently preparing for the MCAT exam and will soon begin the rigorous process of applying to medical school. Within in the past year, she has been an admirable representative of the American Medical Women’s Association as secretary and then president.

Nick Swandrak

New York Football Giants Scholarship Recipient

Nick is graduating from Cranford High School in June after spending much of the last few years in treatment for cancer. Due to his illness, Nick was unable to participate in sports and primarily communicated with his friends and family through the computer. His teachers have described Nick as having a “beautiful spirit of hope, humor and determination” and he is cherished by his classmates and community. Unfortunately, Nick relapsed in January and is undergoing treatment a second time. Nick plans to attend Union County College in Cranford this fall while he continues his treatment and is being monitored by his doctors. His goal is to obtain a degree in computer science.

David Tovar

Rechler Philanthropy Scholarship Recipient

David is a first-generation college student at the University of Delaware. He has excelled in his freshman year as a mechanical engineering major. David was an outstanding student in high school at Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI) taking multiple honors, AP and engineering classes. He was recognized as a College Board AP Scholar and was frequently named to the Principal’s Honor Roll. As a varsity football player and captain of the bowling team, David was honored with the PCTI Multi-Sport Award. David is an active volunteer at his church and is excited about pursuing his dream to become a mechanical engineer.

Zion Williams

Commander Rick Murray Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Zion is graduating from Oakleaf High School in May. He is an active member of Future Farmers of America and serves as a W.I.L.D Advocate in the Wildlife Immersion and Leadership Development Program at the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens. Zion will be attending Florida State University this fall and plans to pursue a degree in international business and marketing.