SEA GIRT — The newly launched Maryann Apostolou Memorial Scholarship, presented by the Sea Girt 5K, will award scholarships to local high school students in honor and remembrance of Sea Girt Elementary School teacher Maryann Apostolou, who died last year.
Janine D’Altrui, head of the scholarship committee, said the scholarship has been created to honor Apostolou for her years of “outstanding teachings,” and to keep her memory and teachings present in the Sea Girt community.
“When you remember Mrs. Apostolou, it brings a smile to your face because she was the most kind and caring person,” said D’Altrui. “This scholarship allows us to remember and honor Maryann Apostolou in the most fitting of ways. Her legacy will be kept alive by awarding a student who has also shared their kindness and compassion to others.”
Apostolou, who worked as a teacher for more than 40 years, is remembered for the “immeasurable” impact she had on the lives of students, faculty and staff whom she touched, with many graduating eighth-graders still reflecting on her as their favorite teacher.
Apostolou’s “warmth, caring, compassion and love for her students was evident in everything she did. Whether with thoughtful words, a hug, a smile, or her seemingly unending patience and empathy, she was the embodiment of kindness,” according to a biography shared by Sea Girt 5K Race Director Mike D’Altrui.
Differing from other student scholarships which focus strictly on academic and extracurricular requirements, as a way to honor the person Apostolou was, the scholarship will be awarded based on the kindness, good deeds and charitable work demonstrated by the applicant, while maintaining strong academic performance.
The $1,000 Maryann Apostolou Memorial Scholarship is available to any high school seniors who have graduated from Sea Girt Elementary School and attended at least four years, or are currently full-time residents of Sea Girt. Applicants must also be planning to attend a four-year college or university.
Mark Apostolou, Maryann’s widower, said that he is “very honored” to have the scholarship created in the name of his late wife, and recalled to The Coast Star characteristics that made her such a beautiful, impactful and caring person to so many.
“She was a spectacular person. It (teaching) meant everything to her. Children were her life, not only her own children, not only her own grandchildren, but every child that she met,” he said.
“She had a very special talent, she could be the most loving, and yet she was also strict in the sense that she taught them great lessons of life and so she had that perfect balance of being absolute love, with teaching skills,” he added, “and every child I think, became a much better person because of her.”
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