The Ridge Alumni Memorial Scholarship selection committee has named RHS senior Francisco Cabrera recipient of the 2018 Ridge Alumni Memorial Scholarship, an $18,000 grant. Following are excerpts from his application essay:

I was 15 when I decided to come to the U.S. from Guatemala.  When I got to NJ I was ready to work. I worked days and evenings for three months and I paid my brother all the money he borrowed to help me. Then I found out I could go to school for free. Some people said I would waste my time because I would not make money. I had to think: Am I going to go to school or am I going to work? If there was a possibility of me graduating, then I’ll go. 

At the time I lived on top of The Station Restaurant and I went to Bernards High School. When the fire happened at the Station, my apartment burned. I moved to Basking Ridge. 

Everybody at Ridge was so helpful. I took more difficult classes so that I could graduate on time. This year I have 8 classes. I also took 2 summer classes to meet my requirements. I have one free period, lunch, which I work through. I work at two restaurants 6 -7 days a week. I work very hard. I come to school early (6:50 every day) and meet with teachers. Then I stay after school to continue working. Then I go to work until 11:00 PM – 12:00 AM. I go home, go to sleep, and wake up to do it all over again. 

I support myself, I pay for my car, insurance, and the home we live in. I live like a grown-up and I have a sense of responsibility. If I won this money, I would use it toward some personal needs and to further my education. Without Ridge High School I wouldn’t have been able to do this.