Julie Berntsen Memorial Scholarship of Dreams INC

JULIE BERNTSEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP OF DREAMS '25

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

My name is Tyler Berntsen. During my freshman year at West Morris Central High School, my mother passed away after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was a woman of strong values—always emphasizing the importance of giving back and helping those in need.

After graduating from college, I found myself in a position to honor those values. I reflected on the incredible support my family and I received from our community during the most difficult time in our lives. Friends, neighbors, coaches, teachers, teammates, and fellow students all stepped in to ease the pain, and I’ve never forgotten their kindness. I know I was not the first, and I won’t be the last student at WMC to experience such profound loss.

West Morris Central hosts a Senior Scholarship Night for graduating seniors. I still remember the impact of receiving two scholarships during my own senior year—it was a powerful reminder of how deeply this community cares. Inspired by that generosity, I reached out to Joey Wagner at WMC with an idea: to create a scholarship in memory of my mother, to support students who have also endured the heartbreaking loss of a parent.

Since 2015, the Julie Berntsen Memorial Scholarship of Dreams has been awarded annually. Each year, students apply by writing an essay reflecting on the lessons they’ve learned from their late parent, and how those values fuel their dreams. Every story is unique, but the heartache is universal.

The scholarship is designed to support students who have experienced the loss of a parent. Applicants are asked to write an essay reflecting on the lessons they learned from their parent and how those lessons continue to drive them to pursue their dreams. This year’s recipient is an extraordinary young woman who has maintained honor roll status all four years, worked diligently as a waitress, and has found inspiration in the memory of her late father. She is pursuing her passion for creativity and drawing, something her father encouraged her to do before his passing when she was just seven years old.

I’m reaching out to the same community that once supported me—to my friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, and colleagues—and asking for your help. Whether you’re able to contribute financially or simply share our mission with others, your support makes a difference. I would not be where I am today without this community. I hope you’ll join me in helping these promising young people continue their journey.

Thank you for your support.

If you are unable to give, please consider sharing our story.

With gratitude,

Tyler Berntsen

Founder

The Julie Berntsen Memorial Scholarship of Dreams Inc.

(501(c)(3) nonprofit organization)

JULIE BERNTSEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP OF DREAMS '24

Hi, my name is Tyler Berntsen. My mother passed away from breast cancer during my freshman year in high school at West Morris Central. My mother was a woman of strong values. She taught me to always give back and to help those in need. Once I graduated from college, I found myself in a position to honor those values, and I decided it was my turn to give back to the community that was instrumental in supporting me after my mother's passing. During that time, members of my community did everything they could to help ease the pain that I and my family experienced during the most difficult time in my life. Between friends, neighbors, coaches, teachers, fellow students and teammates, I continue to appreciate everything that was done for me as a kid going through a challenging time in my life's journey. I was not the only kid, nor will I be the last student at West Morris Central to go through similar pain.

West Morris Central High School hosts a Senior Scholarship Night for their graduating senior class. As a senior at WMC, I was a recipient of two scholarships, and I couldn’t help thinking how incredible it was for so many community members to be helping out seniors taking the next step in their life’s journey. Thus, when I finished college, I decided this was a way I could give back to my community. I reached out to Joey Wagner at West Morris to share my idea for creating a scholarship in the memory of my mother that would aid graduating students who had also experienced the devastating loss of a parent. Since 2015, at least three applicants apply for this scholarship every year. This year, in 2024, there are FOUR. Every story is different, but the heartache is the same.

I realized that my dream and need had become bigger than me, so I decided to create a Non-For-Profit, the Julie Berntsen Memorial Scholarship of Dreams Inc.

Students that apply for the Scholarship are asked to write an essay. The essay prompt asks students to reflect upon the lessons they have learned from their lost parent and how that parent’s values have created a drive within them to go out and accomplish their dreams.

In 2024, the Julie Berntsen Memorial Scholarship of Dreams Inc. will provide scholarship funding to all four applicants that have applied for the scholarship. The scholarship funds will be put towards their educational expenses, including tuition, room and board, and books. Their college pursuits involve studying Meteorology, and Business Studies between the four applicants. Each and every applicant is reaching for their dreams with the encouragement and values instilled in them by their loved ones who are no longer here.

I turn now to my friends, neighbors, coaches, teachers, and colleagues and ask for your help in raising additional funding for these outstanding and deserving young scholars. I realize that I would not be where I am today without the support I received from all of you, and I hope you will consider contributing to help aid the future of these four promising applicants as they pursue their dreams.

Thank you for your contributions. If cannot contribute please share if you can

Sincerely,

Tyler Berntsen, Founder

The Julie Berntsen Memorial Scholarship of Dreams Inc is a 501c3.

Hi, my name is Tyler Berntsen. My mother passed away from breast cancer during my freshman year in high school at West Morris Central. My mother was a woman of strong values. She taught me to always give back and to help those in need. Once I graduated from college, I found myself in a position to honor those values, and I decided it was my turn to give back to the community that was instrumental in supporting me after my mother's passing. During that time, members of my community did everything they could to help ease the pain that I and my family experienced during the most difficult time in my life. Between friends, neighbors, coaches, teachers, fellow students and teammates, I continue to appreciate everything that was done for me as a kid going through a challenging time in my life's journey. I was not the only kid, nor will I be the last student at West Morris Central to go through similar pain.

West Morris Central High School hosts a Senior Scholarship Night for their graduating senior class. As a senior at WMC, I was a recipient of two scholarships, and I couldn’t help thinking how incredible it was for so many community members to be helping out seniors taking the next step in their life’s journey. Thus, when I finished college, I decided this was a way I could give back to my community. I reached out to Joey Wagner at West Morris to share my idea for creating a scholarship in the memory of my mother that would aid graduating students who had also experienced the devastating loss of a parent. Since 2015, at least three applicants apply for this scholarship every year. This year, in 2022, there are four. Every story is different, but the heartache is the same.

I realized that my dream and need had become bigger than me, I decided to create a Non-For-Profit, the Julie Berntsen Memorial Scholarship of Dreams Inc.

Students that apply for the Scholarship are asked to write an essay. The essay prompt asks students to reflect upon the lessons they have learned from their lost parent and how that parent’s values have created a drive within them to go out and accomplish their dreams.

In 2022, the Julie Berntsen Memorial Scholarship of Dreams Inc. will provide scholarship funding to all four applicants that have applied for the scholarship. The scholarship funds will be put towards their educational expenses, including tuition, room and board, and books. Their college pursuits involve studying Environmental Science, Nursing, Accounting, and Occupational Therapy between the four applicants. Each and every applicant is reaching for their dreams with the encouragement and values instilled in them by their loved ones who are no longer here.

I turn now to my friends, neighbors, coaches, teachers, and colleagues and ask for your help in raising additional funding for these outstanding and deserving young scholars. I realize that I would not be where I am today without the support I received from all of you, and I hope you will consider contributing to help aid the future of these five promising applicants as they pursue their dreams.

Thank you for your contributions.

Sincerely,

Tyler Berntsen, Founder

The Julie Berntsen Memorial Scholarship of Dreams Inc is a 501c3.