Hunterdon County Polytech Student Awarded Two Rotary Scholarships

Flemington, N.J. – Samantha Ruby, a Hunterdon County Polytech Career and Technical High School senior in the Pre-Nursing program, has earned scholarships from two area Rotary Clubs for her service to the community and overall ambition to succeed. Ruby was awarded a $1,500 Flemington Rotary Scholarship and a $3,000 Clinton Rotary Scholarship in recognition of her devotion to help others, while approaching her coursework and extracurricular activities with the same high level of commitment.

Finding ways to assist others became even more important over the past year, and Ruby seized the opportunity to do so. She started volunteering as a member of South Branch Emergency Services in June. She assists EMTs both in and out of the station while ensuring their equipment is clean and ready to treat patients.

As a member of Hunterdon County Polytech’s HOSA chapter, Ruby organized a hygiene drive to collect toiletries and essential products, helping support the Flemington Area Food Pantry with all donations. On an even larger scale, she contacted the American Red Cross to organize and host two blood drives; she currently is setting up a third.

NJ HOSA recently recognized Ruby’s hard work by presenting her with yet another scholarship. She earned both $3,000 and the Barbara James service award – gold level – from the organization, which brings together and helps prepare future health professionals. The Barbara James award honors individual HOSA members, like Ruby, who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to community service in health.

Ruby plans to continue volunteering and serving her home community as well as areas around the University of Tampa, where she will be attending in the fall.

“The pandemic really highlighted how important it is to help others,” she explained. “Hunterdon County Vocational School District has provided me with such valuable tools and, with them, I hope to continue improving the lives of others.”

“Congratulations to Sam for earning recognition for her hard, selfless work, and we thank her on behalf of our entire community for her service!” said HCVSD Director of Grant Management, Admissions, & Security and Supervisor of the Bartles Campus, Tanya Nalesnik. “She has chosen a career path that will enable her to continue helping others, and we know she will pour her whole heart into it, just as she has done in her courses at Polytech and in her community endeavors.”

Ruby lives in Milford, N.J., and is the daughter of Beth and Richard Ruby.

Hunterdon County Polytech Career and Technical High School is the largest component of Hunterdon County Vocational School District (HCVSD). Polytech is the district’s shared-time high school that prepares students for a seamless transition to college and career paths. HCVSD also operates an Adult and Continuing Education school and three science-based high school academies: the Biomedical Sciences Academy, the Computer Science and Applied Engineering Academy and the Environmental Sustainability and Engineering Academy. Learn more at www.hcvsd.org.

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All pupils will be given equal opportunity for enrollment in programs operated by the Hunterdon County Vocational School District regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status (34 C.F.R. Part 100, Appendix B, Section IV-A). No qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity which receives federal financial assistance, et seq (34 C.F.R. Part 104.4(a)(b).