EDISON — New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation President Emily Scharf and her daughter have announced the inaugural recipient of the Scharf Family Scholarship, awarding the honor to Susana Inkoom, a Health Science major at Atlantic Cape Community College and a rising leader in New Jersey Circle K International (CKI).
Scharf, a longtime Kiwanian and former Circle K member, said the scholarship was inspired by her own experience as a student leader.
“When I was in Circle K as a student, NJCKI didn’t have nearly as many scholarships as it offers now,” Scharf said. “I was encouraged by our District Administrator at the time, Ron Weber, to apply for one of the few scholarships available. Applying had never even crossed my mind. My grades were decent, and I was active in CKI, but I always assumed scholarships were out of my reach.”
She said receiving that scholarship became a turning point in her life.
“I took Ron’s advice and applied — and to my surprise, I received my first-ever scholarship,” Scharf said. “From that moment on, everything shifted. I worked harder in CKI and in my academics. As Larry would say, I ‘faked it till I made it.’ Someone I didn’t even know believed I was worth supporting, and that changed the trajectory of my life.”
Now, Scharf said, she is grateful for the opportunity to help support the next generation of leaders.
“Because of continued hard work and the opportunities that followed, I’m now able to pay it forward,” she said. “It means so much to my family and me to invest in one of our future leaders. Circle K invested in me, and now it’s time to invest in a rising leader whose life has been forever changed by the Kiwanis family.”
The Scharf Family Scholarship, funded in partnership with the New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation and the Pfizer Pharmaceuticals CARES Program, will be awarded annually to a deserving CKI member who demonstrates leadership, service, and academic commitment.
The New Jersey District of Kiwanis International Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing youth leadership development, scholarships, and health and welfare programs across New Jersey. The Foundation supports Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs while funding initiatives that improve the lives of children and strengthen communities.
Circle K International is the world’s largest collegiate student-led service organization, with thousands of members on hundreds of campuses worldwide. As the collegiate branch of the Kiwanis family, CKI is dedicated to developing student leaders through service, leadership, and fellowship.
For more information about the New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation, visit the Foundation website or follow the organization on Facebook and Instagram. More information about Circle K International is available through NJ Circle K’s website and social media channels.
