2026 Vincent Gagliardi Memorial Scholarship
Last night, the Vincent R. Gagliardi Foundation gave out its 5th scholarship at the Somerville High School awards presentation. Kelly Gagliardi presented the scholarships.
For those who may not be familiar with me, I am the mother of Vincent Gagliardi. Vincent was just 17 years old, a senior at Somerville High School, when he tragically lost his life in a devastating car crash. On October 8, 2021, he was a passenger in a car being recklessly driven by another 17-year-old. That day marked the darkest moment of my life. We deeply miss his warm hugs, infectious laughter, striking blue eyes, and the love he shared with family and friends. In honor of Vincent, we chose to turn our grief into something meaningful by establishing The Vincent R. Gagliardi Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to promote awareness about teen driver safety by sponsoring speakers at high schools, installing signs that read “Buckle Up, Someone Loves You,” and launching the #buckleupforvincent campaign, with the support of the SHS Crochet Club.
This year holds particular significance, as it would have been Vincent's college graduation year. In light of this milestone, the foundation has decided to award two scholarships this year. The competition was incredibly close!
Emily Smith - 2026 Scholarship Winner
The first $1,000 scholarship goes to Emily Smith.
Emily serves as the Student Council President and Co-President of the Photography Club while also leading the SHS Chapter of Blood Cancer United. Through her dedication and that of her team, they raised over $12,000 for a 9-year-old cancer survivor named Jordan. You are an inspiration to us all. We also appreciate you and your family for participating in Vincent’s Run. Your stunning photography is truly remarkable! Wishing you the best as you graduate and pursue a career in education.
Sarah Graber - 2026 Scholarship Winner
Our second scholarship of $5,000 is awarded to Sarah Graber.
Sarah is an exceptionally motivated and hardworking young woman. She has maintained straight A’s across all her classes, and is actively involved in the Key Club, Interact Club, and Peer2Peer, in addition to being the Senior Captain of the Varsity Softball Team. Sarah has volunteered at the Raritan Food Pantry and has played a pivotal role in organizing various community initiatives, such as the Thanksgiving Food Drive, Easter Basket Drive, Children's Book Drive, card writing for elderly residents in nursing homes, local clean-up efforts, and bake sales to support victims of California wildfires. It’s clear that Sarah has made a significant positive impact on our community. Best of luck as you graduate and head to Elizabethtown College.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Live life to the fullest and make a difference wherever you can.