BODY POLITIC
by Jack Archibald,
Atlantic Highlands Councilman
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HENRY HUDSON'S RECORD ON
SCHOLARSHIPS IS IMPRESSIVE
At graduation time, it is only natural to reflect on our educational system
and there are some interesting numbers coming out of our regional school
district these days. It’s easy to find out the number of graduates or the grade
point averages, but the number that really counts to parents of high school
seniors is scholarship money. That is why the figure of $750,000 from Henry
Hudson Regional jumps off the page.
The challenge of financing a college education, these days is daunting. Most
of the colleges and universities are checking in around $25,000 per year and
that is before books or other living expenses are factored in. Parents have to
get creative in ways of finding money, and the figure for Henry Hudson Regional
students is impressive.
Broken down, that $750,000 equates to $13,392 per child attending an
institution of higher learning next year. Multiply that $13,392 per year
for four years, and that $53,571 is some substantial savings for a family. One
could argue that a scholarship to Harvard is much different than one to
Brookdale, but the fact remains that most of the senior class has chosen to
continue their education. To the parents of the graduates, any help in financing
their children’s dreams is gravy.
The guidance staff at Hudson is probably disappointed that they couldn’t
reach $1million in scholarship aid. Their disappointment should be tempered by
the fact that they have set a pretty high standard for next year. Sometimes
guidance isn’t just for the students, its helping parents turnover the rocks
that have the money. In the course of doing their job, the staff will have
contributed to the students intellectual growth, and eased some of the parents
burden as well.
Contact Jack Archibald - JCArch@msn.com
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