NJ: NEW PROVIDENCE.Twelve high school seniors from all throughout New Jersey who have demonstrated a remarkable dedication to spreading awareness about organ and tissue donation and transplantation have received scholarships from the Sharing Network Foundation.
At a ceremony held at NJ Sharing Network’s New Providence offices, the 2025 graduates were honored. Each honoree received recognition for their scholastic accomplishments, community service, and advocacy work stemming from their individual organ and tissue donation experiences.
The Daniel S. Buckiewicz Scholarship Fund, Hearts for Emma Partner Fund, Jim Rhatican Scholarship Fund, Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund, and Riley’s Path are just a few of the Foundation’s family and partner funds that helped make scholarships possible. These funds were established to honor transplant recipients and advocates, as well as to remember donors.
One of the recipients is Wall Township High School student Thomas Ekberg, who spearheaded efforts to advocate for donations after his mother gave his aunt a kidney. After the unexpected death of her mother, an organ donor, Gabrielle Johnson of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School received recognition for her long-standing involvement. Transplant recipients, leaders of student organizations, and young people who transformed personal sorrow into a lifetime of advocacy are among the other honorees.
Student activists are honored for the donation’s lasting influence.
The following is the complete list of 2025 scholarship recipients:
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Thomas Ekberg
Wall, NJ (Wall Township High School), attending The College of New Jersey -
Gabrielle Johnson
Scotch Plains, NJ (Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School), attending UC Santa Barbara -
Julia Rowniewski
Wallington, NJ (Applied Technology High School), attending Villanova University -
Frank Furnari
Oak Ridge, NJ (Jefferson Township High School), attending County College of Morris -
Christopher Kolb
Warren, NJ (Gill St. Bernard s), attending University of Notre Dame -
Greta Clausen
Short Hills, NJ (Millburn High School), attending Union County College -
Lily Coniglio
New Providence, NJ (New Providence High School), attending Boston College -
Brian Lippman
New Providence, NJ (New Providence High School), attending Boston College -
Paige Henrikson
Andover, NJ (Lenape Valley Regional High School), attending East Stroudsburg University -
Reilly Hoagland
Toms River, NJ (Toms River High School East), attending University of Alabama -
Thomas Olski
Brick, NJ (Brick Township High School), attending Rutgers University New Brunswick -
Eryn Rubenacker
Wharton, NJ (DePaul Catholic High School), attending University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The Sharing Network Foundation began its scholarship program in 2011 and has now given more than $140,000 to 74 students who have used outreach and advocacy to thank donors and winners and educate communities.
