The Hudson ASCS administrative team has convened to determine a way to show our support to honor the memory of Jersey City police detective and NJ charter school graduate, Detective Melvin Vincent Santiago. The school will be holding a ceremony on Thursday, October 6th at 9:30 am to dedicate the gymnasium/auditorium of Hudson Arts and Science Charter School to the memory of Detective Melvin Vincent Santiago. This date falls during the NJ Department of Education state-mandated WEEK OF RESPECT.
In the spirit of Detective Santiago’s love of sports, Hudson ASCS students and faculty are invited to participate in a sports-themed dress-down day on Monday, October, 3rd. His favorite teams were the New York Yankees, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Chicago Bulls, but all teams are welcome! The cost to participate is $2 for students, $5 for faculty and staff. All funds collected will be presented to the scholarship committee at the dedication ceremony. Families are also welcome to contribute to the scholarship fund by submitting donations to: The Detective Melvin Vincent Santiago Memorial Law Enforcement Scholarship Fund c/o iLearn Schools, Inc., 465 Boulevard, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407, or by sending donations directly to Hudson ASCS with your child. All funds will be presented to the Scholarship Committee at the ceremony on Thursday, October 6th.
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP: The Detective Melvin Vincent Santiago Memorial Law Enforcement Scholarship Fund was first conceived in 2014 to help provide economic assistance to a qualified graduating Jersey City high school senior student planning for a criminal justice degree that exemplifies academic excellence and community service, as Officer Santiago is remembered. The scholarship will be awarded for the first time to a student of the Class of 2017.
The limited glimpses of Detective Santiago’s life shared with us via the media evidence a young man with incredible academic success and a desire to serve others by heroically embracing a career in law enforcement. Detective Santiago graduated from CREATE Charter High School in Jersey City; the entire charter school community mourns the loss of such a gifted scholar and a young man who made our educational community so very proud. Family and friends are quoted as saying that he had dreamed of being a police officer since he was a boy, seeking to follow in his uncle’s footsteps. When Santiago accomplished his dream in December of 2013 and joined the Jersey City (NJ) force as a rookie officer, he asked to serve in the city’s toughest district. This heroic young officer was responding to a robbery call with his partner in July of 2014, and was tragically killed.
The scholarship advisory committee was formed with representatives from local government, police, and education, in addition to community leaders. These individuals have established scholarship criteria, and will review the scholarship candidates. The advisory committee includes: New Jersey Senator Steve Oroho (R-24), Sussex County Surrogate Gary Chiusano, Franklin Police Lieutenant Jeffrey Smith, Franklin Borough Councilwoman and CCO of iLearn Schools, Inc. Dawn Fantasia, VP of Business Development/Sales Manager of Sussex Bank Keri Marino, and Franklin Borough community leader Donna Arrigo.