JULIE BERNTSEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP OF DREAMS '24 -

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.