A Scholarship Opportunity for Ambassador Girl Scouts in Essex and Hudson Counties
Graduation is an exciting milestone. As you prepare to take the next step—whether that means heading to college, enrolling in a trade program, or pursuing a certification—you should know that your Girl Scout journey does not end when high school does.
Girl Scouts is a lifelong sisterhood. Long after your final troop meeting, you remain connected to a community that believes in you, supports you, and celebrates your achievements. One way Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey continues that support is through the William & Ida M. Kiefer Memorial Scholarship, created to help Ambassador Girl Scouts from Essex and Hudson counties pursue their post–high school education.
Supporting Many Paths Forward
What makes the Kiefer Scholarship especially meaningful is its flexibility. The scholarship is not limited to traditional four-year colleges. It may be used for a wide range of accredited post-secondary education opportunities, including:
Four-year colleges and universities
Two-year colleges
Trade or technical schools
Culinary programs
Cosmetology or certification programs
Other specialized training programs
Your future may take many forms, and Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey is proud to support the diverse dreams and ambitions of our members.
Celebrating Last Year’s Scholars
Each year, the Kiefer Trust recognizes Girl Scouts who demonstrate strong academic performance, meaningful community service, leadership through Girl Scouts, and commitment to their goals.
In 2025, ten outstanding Girl Scouts from Essex and Hudson counties were selected to receive scholarships totaling $18,426, with individual awards ranging from $250 to $3,757.
The 2025 recipients were:
Grace Stewart, Roseland — University of Pittsburgh
Tasiyah Stone-Bey, East Orange — Rutgers University–Newark
Luciana Musano, Roseland — Seton Hall University
Gabrielle White, Maplewood — Spelman College
Sofia Matos, Kearny — University of California, Los Angeles
Vanessa Costa, Kearny — Fairleigh Dickinson University
Isabella Fernandes-Santinho, Kearny — Smith College
Alanya Friedman, Maplewood — Virginia Tech
Alexandra Hulsman, Bayonne — The College of New Jersey
Ava Lawdanski, Kearny — Seton Hall University
“These young women are a shining example of the impact Girl Scouting has on a girl’s drive to succeed—not just in school, but in life,” said Everlyn V. Tillery-Hay, a member of GSHNJ’s 2025 Kiefer Scholarship Review Committee. “Each of them demonstrated remarkable initiative, resilience, and commitment to their community. It was a true honor to read their stories.”
Your Story Could Be Next
If you are an Ambassador Girl Scout from Essex or Hudson County preparing for graduation, we encourage you to apply. The Kiefer Scholarship is an opportunity to share your story, reflect on your accomplishments, and receive support as you begin the next chapter of your journey.
Applications can be submitted online by clicking HERE.
If you have questions, please reach out to Scholarship@gshnj.org
March 16, 2026
