SCHOLARSHIP

  SCHOLARSHIP  
2024 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS SCHOLARSHIP


The open submission period for the Friday Night Lights Scholarship is now CLOSED for this year (2024). This scholarship is directly in line with the Fund’s mission; to honor the extraordinary life of everyone’s pal, Vito Trause and celebrates one of his most cherished activities, attending Friday Night Lights at Westwood Regional, which showcases all that is good in our extended high school community.

The Friday Night Lights Scholarship, given by The Vito Trause Memorial Charitable Fund, is a $1000.00 scholarship award presented to a Westwood Regional High School senior enrolling in a two/four-year college, accredited trade school, or branch of the military.

Candidates for consideration must have a minimum two-year participation commitment in the Friday Night Lights experience at Westwood Regional High School as a member of the Cardinals football team, cheer squad, marching band, color guard, or as a student-athlete who has supported Friday Night Lights with the Crazies
.
The submission criteria for consideration of this award is a 350-500 word, double-spaced, 12pt font essay in response to the following question:  Through knowing Vito Trause personally - or via research - how will his legendary life impact your future?

Biographic information on Vito Trause can be found on the home page. Essay submissions should be sent to Mrs. Debrody
 

 
2024 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS SCHOLARSHIP WINNER ANNOUNCED!

6/12/24 - Earlier tonight on behalf of his daughters Tori and Cindy Trause, the Trause Trust had the honor to present the Vito Trause 2024 Friday Night Lights Scholarship to graduating senior, Joe Klein.

Joe's essay perfectly captured the indelible mark Vito left on our community and how he was able to capture your attention and make you feel seen and heard no matter how old you were.  Joe shared an example of that with his story of how he got to hang out with Vito who kept him very entertained at his dad's softball game with his big personality, resemblance to Yogi Beara, and endless stories. Not lost on Joe was the magnitude of losing Vito when he passed to our community. Winning the state championship this year also reminded us all of Vito "knowing he was cheering from up above".

Joe will be attending SUNY Cortland University in the fall where he plans on continuing his football career. We wish him, the rest of our applicants, and the entire Westwood HS Class of 2024 the best of luck moving forward in the next chapter of their lives. 
2023 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED!

6/14/23 - Earlier tonight on behalf of his daughters Tori and Cindy Trause, the Trause Trust  had the honor to present the Vito Trause 2023 Friday Night Lights Scholarship to graduating senior, Jack Makdis.

Jack wrote a stand out essay explaining how Vito’s story of perseverance while being held as a POW helped him put his own season ending injury in perspective. Jack lost his ability to play football his senior year very early in the season, however as a team captain, he continued to lead and walked out to meet his opponents each week at the coin toss with his head held high.

We recognized Jack’s determination to persevere despite the incredible frustrations he faced by not being able to participate the way we know he wanted to. Jack told us he was “extremely thankful to recieve the award” and how much it meant to him. He also humbly said “things worked out for the best”.

Jack will be attending Rutgers University in the fall and we wish him, the rest of our applicants, and the entire Westwood HS Class of 2023 the best of luck moving forward in the next chapter of their lives. 

2022 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS SCHOLARSHIP WINNER ANNOUNCED!

6.8.22- On behalf of his daughters Tori and Cindy Trause, Trause Trust Chairperson Rich Poggi had the honor to present the 2022 Friday Night Lights Scholarship in the name of our Pal to graduating Senior, James Stickel a worthy recipient (as you will hear in the video - click here) and a wonderful young man who will continue to do great things as he heads off to college.

Congratulations and good luck to James and to all the entrants who applied for this year’s scholarship and were touched forever, as we all were, by Vito. ???? Click here to read James' essay.
 
2021 VITO TRAUSE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS SCHOLARSHIP  WINNERS!

We were honored to present along with Cindy Trause the 2021 Friday Night Lights Scholarship in Vito’s name to two worthy recipients who not only exemplify student athleticism and community in our district but were also beloved favorites of Vito as he rooted for them from the stands. This was the first year (in almost 60) that Vito didn’t attend a game at WWRHS but these two graduating Seniors - like their peers - were fortunate to have known him and had him there for a significant portion of their high school careers. Congratulations to Meghan Riedel and Ian Borgersen! ????


 
LUKE REKUCKI AWARDED FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS SCHOLARSHIP 2020


The Vito Trause Memorial Charitable Fund is pleased to announce Westwood Regional High School senior, Luke Rekucki, has been named the first recipient of the Friday Night Lights Scholarship.  The official award was made via video during a virtual presentation posted to YouTube by the school’s faculty and administration.   

The scholarship is directly in line with the Fund’s mission; to honor the extraordinary life of everyone’s pal, Vito Trause and celebrates one of his most cherished activities, attending Friday Night Lights at Westwood Regional, which showcases all that is good in our extended high school community. 

“Thanks to the many students who took the time to submit essays describing how Vito’s legendary life will impact their futures,” said Heather Henry, Scholarship Chair.  “They are all winners who were obviously deeply affected and inspired by Vito - as we all were and continue to be.  Luke’s essay just touched us a little more and was the unanimous choice by our board.”

Rekucki who will be attending Lehigh in pursuit of an integrated business and engineering degree this Fall summed up news of the award by saying, “I appreciate this so much, especially since it's associated with Mr. Trause who I was lucky to get to know my senior year before his passing.”