GREATER LUMBERTON REGIONAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2010 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Corinne Gontowicz and Billie R. Hirsh have been selected as the 2010 GLRBA Scholarship award recipients. This scholarship program serves as a means to encourage students to continue to strive for academic excellence, while developing professional and leadership skills through organization and community involvement.

Lumberton, NJ May 12, 2010 –The Greater Lumberton Regional Business Association (GLRBA) is pleased to announce its scholarship award recipients for 2010: Corinne Gontowicz, a senior from Rancocas Valley Regional High School , and Billie R. Hirsh, a senior from Shawnee High School . The $1000 scholarships were presented to Ms. Gontowicz and Ms. Hirsh at the GLRBA’s Monthly Meeting held on Wednesday May 12, 2010, at the Diamond Diner, Rt. 38 Hainesport, NJ. Business people and the recipients’ friends and relatives were on hand for the ceremony. The GLRBA Scholarship is awarded to 2 high school seniors continuing their education with a business major in college.

“This scholarship has become one of distinction. It is awarded to an individual who exemplifies all that the GLRBA embodies,” says Barry Lefkowitz, President of the GLRBA. “The awards are given to students who have demonstrated high scholastic performance, dedicated service to the community organizations, and who possess high professional promise."

Corinne Gontowicz
Born and raised in Hainesport , NJ , Ms. Gontowicz will be graduating from RVRHS in June 2010 with a 3.8 cumulative GPA. She is ranked 14 in her class and has been on high honor roll all four years. Gontowicz will be continuing her education at University of South Carolina where she will be studying business. Gontowicz, an Edward J. Bloustein Scholar, has been an active member of the National Honor Society and is currently the Vice President of the National Spanish Honor Society at RV. She has been recognized continuously for her academic, athletic, and community achievements over the years. For the past 3 years, at the Boys and Girls Club of Camden County she has volunteered her time each week to teach unprivileged children how to swim. She teaches in both English and Spanish. Gontowicz works as a lifeguard and certified swimming instructor at Larchmont Swim Club. Gontowicz is also captain of the RV Varsity Swimming team and captain of the SJAC National Team. In addition, she has been Top 8 at YMCA NJ States for the past four years and acquired the YMCA State Championship in the 1000 Freestyle this past year.

Billie R. Hirsh
Billie Hirsh, ranked 17 in her class overall, lives with her family in Medford, NJ and will be graduating from Shawnee High School in June 2010 with honors. Hirsh will be continuing her education at New York University where she will study Business with a focus on Hotel Management.

While at Shawnee, Hirsh was an active member of DECA. DECA which hosts several business-related activities, requires students to have a high GPA, high class rank, and an interest in a future with business. She qualified and attended 3 international DECA conferences, and was named President of the Shawnee DECA chapter her senior year. In addition, Hirsh is a member of the National Honor Society who manages to maintain a 3.8 GPA. She was captain of her Volleyball club team, and a 2 year varsity starter for Shawnee. This past summer she spent a month in Israel representing the United States at the Maccabiah Games (the Jewish Olympics).

According to Hirsh, her experience with DECA projects and her Shawnee coursework is what confirmed her decision to pursue a business degree. In 2009 she organized a Dig Pink fundraiser for breast cancer research and awareness and was acknowledged with an award from DECA for that achievement.

The 2010 GLRBA Scholarship Awards
This is the fourth year for the GLRBA scholarship awards. Funds for the scholarship are typically fundraised through a GLRBA charity event. The GLRBA plans to award scholarships each year. To be eligible for a GLRBA scholarship students must be a U.S. Citizen; Graduating Senior from Rancocas Valley Regional High School, Lenape High School, Shawnee High School, or Seneca High School; GPA greater than 3.0; and a resident in one of the following towns at the time of graduation: Lumberton , Hainesport, Mount Laurel , Medford , Mount Holly, Eastampton, Southampton, or Westampton; Plans for full-time enrollment (12 hours or more) in an accredited two or four-year college or university; Must be pursuing a Business-oriented degree from an accredited college/university. For more information on the GLRBA Scholarship Program please contact the GLRBA Scholarship Chairperson, S. Matteo at 609-230-0398.

About the Greater Lumberton Regional Business Association
The Greater Lumberton Regional Business association was formed to share information and knowledge, establish a community of business owners and business managers, and conduct productive monthly meetings in the greater Lumberton area. It is an organization that represents and speaks for business owners, but cares about and considers the needs of the community. It accepts memberships from businesses in Lumberton, Hainesport, Mount Laurel, Medford, Mount Holly, Eastampton, Southampton, and Westampton. Meetings are typically held the second Wednesday of each month, hosted by a GLRBA member and held at the Diamond Diner in Hainesport, NJ. Business card exchanges take place and discounts are provided on a member-to-member basis.

For more information on the Greater Lumberton Regional Business Association please visit it’s website: HTTP://WWW.GLRBA.ORG

Greater Lumberton Regional Business Association P.O. Box 250 Lumberton, NJ 08048 (609) 267-2855 Website – http://www.glrba.org Email – info@glrba.org

Media Contact Sonina Matteo Tech Research Services, LLC http://www.techresearchservices.com (for the Greater Lumberton Regional Business Assn.) (609) 230-0398 soninamatteo@techresearchservices.com

GREATER LUMBERTON REGIONAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2009 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Mark D. Mansdoerfer and Stephanie K. Otake have been selected as the 2009 GLRBA Scholarship award recipients. The scholarship demonstrates the Lumberton business association’s continued support of regional youth, by assisting outstanding students with their undergraduate education.

Lumberton, NJ May 13, 2009 –The Greater Lumberton Regional Business Association (GLRBA) is pleased to announce its scholarship award recipients for 2009: Mark Mansdoerfer, a senior from Rancocas Valley Regional High School, and Stephanie Otake, a senior from Lenape High School. The $1000 scholarships were presented at the organization’s monthly meeting held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. The recipients’ family and friends were on hand for the ceremony, as well as business people from the community.

The Greater Lumberton Regional Business Association Scholarship is awarded to 2 high school seniors continuing their education with a business major in college. Students, who are eligible, must complete an application and essay and live in Lumberton, Hainesport, Mount Laurel, Medford, Mount Holly, Eastampton, Southampton, or Westampton.

“Earning a GLRBA scholarship speaks volumes about the students and their families,” said Barry Lefkowitz, GLRBA president. “We congratulate the recipients and all of our applicants for their achievements, and applaud them for demonstrating the values that make us feel that our future is more secure.”

"This scholarship is an important piece in bringing leadership to our community," Lefkowitz said. "The future economic stability of our region depends on supporting outstanding youth scholars from the communities throughout our area. Without question, these students are our future leaders."

Mark D. Mansdoerfer
Born in Lumberton, New Jersey, Mark Mansdoerfer grew up through the Lumberton school system. Continuing his education at Rancocas Valley Regional High School, he is a student on high honor roll. He will be graduating from RV in June 2009 with Honors. Mansdoerfer has been recognized continuously for his academic and sports achievements. While at RV he was selected as a Governor’s School nominee and a participant in the American Legion Boys State Program. He has also participated in RV Football and captain of the RV Lacrosse team. During his time at RV, Mansdoerfer has also been active in Team MEGA, a club that allows 8th graders to become aware of the benefits and realities of high school life.

In addition, Mark is a member of the National Honor Society and the French National Honor Society, and has a class schedule that includes Advanced Placement courses, while holding a 5.07 weighted senior year GPA. He excelled with his studies to where he achieved the class rank of 15 out of 538.

Mansdoerfer says his greatest pride is with community involvement. He is an active member of both the Lumberton Emergency Squad and the Lumberton Fire Department. Today, he is a certified EMT and has also completed Firefighter training with the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Academy.

“I believe that business has a great influence over our community, along with our community’s development.” said Mansdoerfer.

This fall he will begin his studies at George Mason University where he will major in business management. Once finished, Mansdoerfer plans to go on to law school and perhaps study contract law.

Mark is currently employed at Dadz Bar and Grille in Lumberton, NJ, and works part-time for Lumberton Township’s Summer Recreation Program.

Stephanie K. Otake
Stephanie K. Otake is the oldest of three, and will be the first in her family to attend college. Born in south jersey, she is a descendant of a Peruvian and Japanese family.

Otake will be graduating from Lenape High School in June 2009 with Honors and then continuing her education at Villinova University, where her coursework will focus on international business.

Stephanie, who has continually worked part-time and summer jobs, has always been active in business, from selling Spanish cuisine at construction worker sites at the age of 11, to being a manager, cashier and waitress at her family’s Spanish restaurant called Mango’s Café in Lumberton, NJ.

“I was a timid girl that was afraid to speak up; however, working with my Mom out there I had to mature quickly. We had to compete with others who sold food for a living. Through this experience I learned and understood the value of sacrifice. I realized that I had to overcome that shyness that held me back and I had to mature and adjust to circumstances in order to help out my family,” said Otake.

Stephanie has been recognized for her academic achievements and club participation during her four years at Lenape. Even with a schedule that includes AP classes, she held a high GPA in her senior year and managed to achieve a rank of 7th in her class of 463.

During her time at Lenape, she has been active in REBEL, a club that encourages teens to not smoke and provides community awareness of the dangers and intense marketing of smoking. She also volunteers at the Githens Center and at different nursing homes on weekends, including the Evergreens Home in Moorestown, NJ.

Outside of school, Otake placed 1st in a business camp competition hosted by Drexel/Commerce (TD Bank). In addition, Otake is an active member of the National Honors Society and the Hispanic Honors Society, of which she was an officer during her senior year. Otake was also an officer with both the African American and Asian Clubs throughout her senior year at Lenape.

Otake has also been an active member of the school’s Spanish Club, Interact Club, and Renaissance Club. On her spare time she played soccer for Lenape and was a dancer with the Marcia Hyland Dance Company.

She and her family currently live in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

GREATER LUMBERTON REGIONAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2008 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

HangWei Zheng, Ramone Barnes, and Michael T. Wychozowycz have been selected as the 2008 GLRBA Scholarship award recipients. They will each receive a $1,000 scholarship from the organization. This scholarship program demonstrates the group's support of regional youths, by presenting scholarships to students to assist them with their undergraduate education.

The Greater Lumberton Regional Business Association (GLRBA) is pleased to announce its scholarship award recipients for 2008: HangWei Zheng and Ramone Barnes, seniors from Rancocas Valley Regional High School, and Michael T. Wychozowycz, a senior from Seneca High School. The $1000 scholarships were presented to Mr. Zheng, Mr. Barnes, and Mr. Wychozowycz at the GLRBA's Monthly Meeting held on Wednesday May 14, 2008, at the Residence Inn at Bishop's Gate in Mount Laurel, NJ. The recipients' friends and relatives were on hand for the ceremony.

The Greater Lumberton Regional Business Association Scholarship is awarded to 2-3 high school seniors continuing their education as a business major in college. Eligible students must complete an application and essay and live in Lumberton, Hainesport, Mount Laurel, Medford, Mount Holly, Eastampton, Southampton, or Westampton.