Schools

Parents Create Nicole Marzano Scholarship

Wristbands inscribed with "Nicole Marzano #2" and "Live to Inspire" also will be sold to raise money for the scholarship fund.

Vincent and Francine Marzano knew they wanted to find a way to create a lasting legacy in loving memory of their daughter Nicole, while returning from a University of Delaware club soccer game.

Marzano graduated from in 2011 as the and was a freshman at the University of Delaware when she died. In high school, Marzano was a peer mediator, peer leader and a member of the Key Club. She also was a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She was a strong athlete who was on the basketball, soccer, and track & field varsity teams.

friends and fellow classmates were given the opportunity to express their feelings for Nicole or share a special memory of her by writing their thoughts on cards which were later presented to the Marzano family.

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“We were very touched by the kind words and stories that we read," said Marzano’s parents, Vincent and Francine. "Many classmates said that Nicole inspired them in some way, whether it was to be a better student, athlete, singer, friend or overall person.”

In keeping with this theme, wristbands inscribed with the words “Live To Inspire” are being sold for $3 as a fundraiser for the scholarship and are available at the Clark Recreation Center. (See them in our gallery, above right.)

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"I asked her friends to help me pick a color and they wanted a turquoise or teal and I thought that was a good idea," says Nicole's mom, Francine. "Nicole liked the color blue, and her room was a bright blue with a beach theme."

The wristband also reads "Nicole Marzano #2," because that was Marzano's soccer number and she was born October 2.

The Marzanos say they hope that Nicole’s life and her memory will continue to be an inspiration to others.

Friends say Marzano left behind a “legacy of love,” Fellow classmates said her smile could light up the room, that she was always willing to help everyone, and was an inspiration to many.  

At her graduation, Marzano sang “I’ll Always Remember You” by Miley Cyrus to her classmates (watch the video in our gallery, above right). The Marzano family has established this scholarship as a way to always remember Nicole and how she affected the lives of those who knew her. The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating ALJ student this June and the Marzanos hope it will continue for many years in the future. 

Donations can be made out to the Nicole C. Marzano Memorial Scholarship Fund, a 501(c)(3) designated fund, and can be sent to:

The Nicole C. Marzano Memorial Scholarship Fund
c/o Aldo Tripicchio
95 Westfield Avenue
Clark, NJ  07066     


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