SOUTH AMBOY – Scott Kwiatek was just two months old when his father was tragically killed in a freak accident at work.
It was a life-changing event, which left Scott’s mom struggling with finances.
“Without the help of the generous scholarship that Petro Cohen and Kids’ Chance provided to me, I would not have been able to afford a college degree at my dream school,” Kwiatek said.
The law firm of Petro Cohen Petro Matarazzo has teamed up with Kids’ Chance of New Jersey (KCNJ) to award a student with financial hardship a “Doctorate Degree” scholarship. The scholarship benefits young adults who have endured financial burdens due to the loss or serious injury of a parent during a workplace accident.
The South Amboy resident is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Arts degree in Business at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).
In addition to a busy school and work schedule, Kwiatek has managed to find time to give back to Kids’ Chance by working and speaking at KCNJ events, actively fundraising, interviewing fellow scholarship recipients on video and serving on the KCNJ Gala Committee, according to information provided by the law firm.
He has been an active member of the South Amboy community and a member of the volunteer First Aid Squad since he was 16 years old.
“I was brought up to pay it forward. Volunteering for KCNJ is my small way of showing my immense gratitude for all that the organization has done for me and my family.”
Kwiatek intends to pursue a job in accounting or marketing after graduation.
Representatives from Petro Cohen Law Firm and Kids’ Chance of NJ will present the scholarship award to Kwiatek at this year’s annual fundraiser gala on July 13 at the Hilton East Brunswick.
For more information on the scholarship criteria, visit petrocohen.com/communit
