Robert DeVita Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship honors the memory of Robert (Bob) DeVita, who passed away on September 23, 2009. Bob was a 32-year employee of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC) and served most recently as the manager of the PVSC River Restoration Program. The PVSC was established as an agency of New Jersey in 1902 and is responsible for reducing pollution of the Passaic River and its tributaries.

Bob worked enthusiastically and tirelessly on improving the environment and educating schoolchildren about how they could do the same. He formed relations with municipal leaders, state legislators, community activists, and school teachers and administrators. He and his staff conducted over 250 shoreline clean-up efforts with school and volunteer groups, removing more than 7,000 tons of litter and debris.

Bob's work on the Passaic River is a legacy that will benefit thousands of people for many years to come. Bob was an important supporter of the Passaic River Rowing Association (PRRA), which is proud to administer this scholarship in Bob's name.

Eligibility

The scholarship is open to current senior-year students who have participated in their school's rowing program at those schools that row on the Passaic River, namely Belleville, Nutley, Montclair, Kearny, and Ridgewood High Schools, and Don Bosco, St. Benedict's, and St. Peter's Preparatory Schools.

Two awards of $500 will be given, one each to a male and a female student. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm EDT on Wednesday, June 6, 2012.

Application form

Name
School
Gender male female
Address
Phone
Grade-point average out of
Class rank top 10%
top 25%
top 50%
bottom 50%

Note: Schools will be contacted to confirm GPA and class rank prior to award.

School activities (include rowing; indicate years in each activity)

Academic awards (e.g., honor roll, National Honor Society)

Activities outside school (e.g., volunteering, employment, scouting)

Select one of the questions below and write a single paragraph in response.
What benefits have you gained from participating in your rowing team?
Which of your teachers do you admire, and why?
What do you think is the biggest threat to water quality today?