Ronetco awards $22,000 in scholarships

Ledgewood — RoNetco Supermarkets, operators of ShopRite supermarkets in Sussex, Morris and Warren counties, has announced the scholarship winners for the 2017-2018 academic school year. Committed to continuing education, RoNetco provides $22,000 in scholarships every year to associates and children and grandchildren of associates from the seven ShopRite supermarkets and their corporate offices. Employing more than 1,800 people, RoNetco is committed to providing opportunities for associates to pursue a post high school education by not only offering scholarships, but by encouraging staff members to take advantage of their generous tuition reimbursement program and discounted tuition with participating colleges and universities.
Offering opportunities for students to learn and earn while working at ShopRite is demonstrated through the Summer Internship Program, for rising college juniors and seniors, as well as workshops and seminars available through ShopRite University and an in-house development program that helps to instill and cultivate competencies and leadership skills.
The recipients of the RoNetco scholarships were as follows:
• Alex Baker, resident of Hackettstown, received the Dominick V. Romano Scholarship ($4,000) named in honor of RoNetco’s President, CEO and Chairman of the Board. Baker is a music student at County College of Morris in Randolph and studies guitar and piano. He also plays drums, bass guitar, and vocals. These talents as well as a passion for academics have helped him to hold a 3.9 GPA and become a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. After CCM, Baker plans to continue studying music and double major in International Studies to become involved with human rights organizations while composing and teaching music. Baker is the son of Jeffrey Baker, Manager of Human Resources at RoNetco.
• Morgan Hartman, resident of Long Valley, was awarded the Pasquale T. Romano Scholarship ($3,000) in memory of RoNetco’s late president. Hartman is a freshman transferring to Ohio State University this fall and is looking forward to studying Finance in the Fisher School of Business. She has been on the Dean’s List for her academic success this past year. In addition to working in Customer Service in ShopRite of Mansfield, Hartman has been a part of various volunteer efforts, such as Dance Marathon. She plans to continue her service at the University and join new clubs as well. Hartman enjoys travelling and doing do-it-yourself projects. She aspires to one day become president of a company.
• Karley McDermott, resident of Succasunna, was awarded the RoNetco Distinguished Achievement Scholarship ($2,500). McDermott is the daughter of Kevin McDermott, who works at the Shoprite of Succasunna, and an upcoming junior at Salisbury University, where she is studying Psychology with a minor in Athletic Coaching. She has consistently been named to Dean's list and currently has a GPA of 3.7. She is a member of two honor societies; Phi Eta Sigma and Psi Chi. In addition, McDermott is a member of the university's cheerleading team and was recently named captain for the upcoming season. Along with schoolwork, she has two jobs; Ruby Tuesday in Salisbury, Maryland and The Bonfire in Ocean City, Maryland. In her free time, she likes to spend time with friends and relax on the beach.
• Alexis Thomas, resident of Newton, received the Thomas & Vincenia Romano Scholarship ($2,500) named after RoNetco’s founders. Thomas is a senior at Pope John XXIII High School and plans to study Nursing at the University of Connecticut. She has been recognized as a Gold Award recipient. She made 750 school kits, and gave them to underprivileged children in Newark, NJ as well as Haiti. Throughout her four years in high school, Thomas has been an honors student, a member of the Varsity Track Team, President of Habitat for Humanity, as well as an employee at the Shoprite of Newton. She has taken several advanced placement classes in preparation for her Nursing career. She enjoys music, reading, and hiking and hopes one day to become a Nurse Anesthetist.
The following students were all awarded a $1,000 scholarship:
• Lauren Danko, resident of Sparta and student at University of Pittsburgh
Lauren Danko is a cashier at the ShopRite of Newton and a senior at Sparta High School. In the fall, she will be a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh and will study Biology. Danko is in the National Honor Society where she currently serves as secretary, she is historian of the French Club and is a member of the World Language Honor Society. Danko volunteers through Pass it Along and Girls on the Run. Last summer, she volunteered at Newton Medical Center. Danko enjoys playing tennis, running track, and singing in her school choir.
• Sarah Fairweather, resident of Sussex and student at Centenary University
Sarah Fairweather is a May 2017 graduate of Sussex County Community College. In the fall, she plans to attend Centenary University where she will major in Elementary School Education. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Psi Beta Honor Society. Fairweather has also been named to the Dean’s List all four of her semesters at SCCC. She has worked part time at Newton Shoprite as a cashier since March of 2014. She loves reading, spending time outdoors, and spending time with her friends and family. Fairweather hopes to be an elementary school teacher in the future.
• John Gieger, resident of Hardyston and student at William Paterson University of NJ
John Gieger is an employee at the ShopRite of Franklin, as well as an incoming senior at William Paterson University, where he is currently studying Legal Studies and Psychology. Gieger has consistently achieved the Dean’s List numerous times throughout his college career. Gieger began his college career at Sussex County Community College, where he was a founding member of the Adventure Club and a Student Ambassador. While attending at SCCC, he also earned several leadership awards and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Gieger also joined the Tau Sigma National Honor Society at William Paterson University. Currently, he is finishing his term-elected position as Alumni Representative where afterwards he will continue working with SCCC and its students and alumni. Gieger also enjoys listening to and playing music, video games, helping others, and being with friends and family.
• Sam Glosser, resident of Hopatcong and student at Montclair State University
Samantha Glosser is a part-time employee at the Byram ShopRite. She is a junior at Montclair State University studying Psychology. Glosser recently graduated from Sussex County Community College with highest honors and an Associate’s Degree in Psychology. At SCCC, Glosser was consistently named to the Dean’s List and maintained a 4.0 GPA. She was an active member in Phi Theta Kappa and Psi Beta, two nationally recognized honor societies. She was named a recipient of SCCC’s Presidential Award. She also participated in community service to better the community and college. Glosser enjoys school and hopes to become a therapist.
• Paige McPeek, resident of Johnsburg and student at Lackawanna College
Paige McPeek is a senior at North Warren Regional High School and plans to study at Lackawanna College. She has been named to the Principal’s List all four years of high school. McPeek is currently completing two college courses while still in high school and will transfer the credits to Lackawanna College. In addition to working part-time in the Mansfield ShopRite, she is a 4-year member of the high school softball team and an active member in her community. She enjoys drawing and cooking. McPeek is looking forward to attending Lackawanna College and to one day become a Surgical Technician.
• Tessa Philhower, resident of Newton and student at Sussex County Community College
Tessa Philhower is the daughter of Steve Philhower, associate at ShopRite of Newton, and will be a sophomore at Sussex County Community College where she is currently a Liberal Arts major. Philhower looks to enter the R.N. program in January 2018 and after completion she plans to transfer to complete her B.S.N. She is a member of the campus Rotaract Club, Anatomy Freaks Club, and was recently inducted into Psi Beta Honor Society. Philhower works at NJSwim in Sparta and recently was hired at Newton Medical Center.
• Nicole Spangenburg, resident of Hamburg and student at Sussex County Community College
For 27 years now, Spangenburg’s mother has been a part of the RoNetco ShopRite family at the ShopRite of Franklin. Spangenburg is currently studying Human Services at Sussex County Community College. After graduating, she plans to obtain her Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutger’s University. She is on the Dean’s list with a 4.0 GPA, allowing her to continue studying under the NJ Stars program. Outside of school, Spangenburg has an avid social life and works in an assisted living home. She recently began singing for a band and has always had a passion for photography.
• Mackenzie Utter, resident of Boone, NC and student at Appalachian State University
Mackenzie Utter is the granddaughter of Margaret Tarantino, ShopRite of Newton, and an incoming freshman at Appalachian State University where she will be studying Psychology. She has consistently been named to the honor roll, maintains a GPA of 4.5. Utter has been a part of the National Honors Society, Varsity Soccer Team, Jazz and Marching Band, DECA, BUMC Worship Team, and the REACH Club. She has been involved in various ways with the community including being a youth prevention advocate at Western YouthNetwork, and most recently launching a disaster-relief campaign for Hurricane Matthew victims. Utter additionally enjoys writing music and spending time outdoors.
• Dominique Voitek, resident of Blairstown and student at Lehigh University, College of Arts & Sciences
Dominique Marie Voitek is the daughter of Paul Voitek, RoNetco’s Pharmacy Supervisor, and is the oldest of five siblings. Voitek completed her first year at Lehigh University and is pursuing a degree in Business Management. At Lehigh, Voitek is on the cheerleading team, a cadet in the Army ROTC program, the historian of APO, the treasurer of the club basketball team, a member of Habitat for Humanity, and a member of Catholic Campus Ministries. Voitek and her sister are the founders of their nonprofit business "Our Stuff,” where they sell handmade items at North Warren Pharmacy and Gifts and on Etsy.
• Christina Zagoruyko, resident of Hackettstown and student at Montclair State University
Christina Zagoruyko is a part-time employee at the ShopRite of Mansfield, and has been with RoNetco for six years. She is a senior at Montclair State University, studying Finance. Zagoruyko was awarded one of RoNetco’s scholarships last year, as well as the Maryann Peins Scholarship this past spring. She has also remained on the Dean’s list all throughout her college career. In addition to working part time at ShopRite, Christina also enjoys going out with friends, spending time outside, and watching good movies.