Dear Nishuane & Hillside Communities

April 2006

Dear Nishuane & Hillside Communities,

This past fall, Mrs. Evelyn Whitlock, longtime Nishuane library volunteer, lost her son, Gary F. Whitlock. Gary grew up in Montclair and like his mother graduated from Montclair High School. He also attended Nishuane School. Gary was a teacher completely dedicated to all children, but he had a soft spot for those who were the hardest to reach. He was a warm, kind person with a wonderful sense of humor. His sudden passing was a devastating loss to his many friends in Montclair and beyond.

A group of Montclair High School graduates have decided to establish the Gary F. Whitlock Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor Gary’s life and help deserving Montclair High School students attend college.

The scholarships will be awarded to students, with financial need, graduating from Montclair High School, Gary’s alma mater. The scholarships will be presented to seniors who best exemplify one or more of the admirable traits embodied by Gary: intellectual curiosity, passionate interest in the culture and experiences of African Americans and the rest of the African diaspora, love of chess and other sports, and an unwavering commitment to helping people in need.

Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Gary F. Whitlock Scholarship Fund. As college tuition costs escalate, the need is so great for many of the students at Montclair High.

Please make your check out to the “Montclair Scholarship Fund, Inc.”* and write “Gary F. Whitlock Scholarship” in the memo on the check. Donations may be dropped off in the PTA box in the offices at Nishuane or Hillside or mailed to: Gary F. Whitlock Scholarship, c/o 392 Upper Mountain Avenue, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043.

So that the first scholarship can be awarded this June at Montclair High’s Senior Awards ceremony we ask that you please mail your donation promptly. Individuals whose donations are received by May 1st will be designated founders of the Gary F. Whitlock Memorial Scholarship Fund, and their names will be inscribed on a plaque that will be presented to Mrs. Whitlock. Additional donations will be accepted on an ongoing basis for future awards.

Feel free to contact Nishuane and Hillside parent, Claire Walls, at 744.0549 or if you have any questions or would like to know more about the scholarship.

Thank you!

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*The Montclair Scholarship Fund, Inc. is administering the Gary F. Whitlock Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Montclair Scholarship Fund, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that has been awarding scholarships to MHS students for nearly 50 years.