Hoopfest Raises $111K for Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children

The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) raised $111,450 to support partial tuition assistance scholarships for underprivileged students attending Archdiocese of Newark Catholic schools at the Founders’ 21^st Annual Hoopfest on Jan. 11 at Roselle Catholic High School.

More than 530 spectators enjoyed three fast-paced games featuring some of New Jersey’s most talented high school basketball players. Four of the five participating teams represented the Archdiocese: Roselle Catholic, Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, Seton Hall Prep, and Oratory Prep. Many of the players who competed this year were SFIC scholarship recipients.

In addition to the basketball games, SFIC recognized the academic achievements of several student-athletes. Players with the highest grades on each of the six teams — including Ridge High School, a non-archdiocesan school — were awarded special plaques in recognition of their outstanding classroom performance. The recipients are listed below:

Game 1 — Girls Teams

Roselle Catholic High School: Gabriella Brown

Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child: Betsy Burton

Game 2 — Boys Teams

Roselle Catholic High School: Chibueze Onwuzuligbo

Seton Hall Prep: Dylan Guzzardo

Game 3 — Boys Teams

Oratory Prep: Julian Stauffer

Ridge High School: Quinn Dshefsky

“We love hosting the Hoopfest every year because it gives us the chance to put the spotlight on our talented students,” said Dr. Michelle L. Hartman, SFIC’s chief executive officer. “It also helps people realize that many of these athletes might not have had the opportunity to play for their schools without the tuition assistance SFIC provides. Our scholarships open up a world of possibilities, and the more support we receive, the more young people we can help achieve their dreams.”

Launched in 2004, the Founders’ Annual Hoopfest has become a beloved tradition for SFIC, with many future NBA stars like Kyle Anderson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist participating through the years. All proceeds from the event’s ticket sales support SFIC’s partial-tuition scholarships, which benefit children from families at or below the poverty level regardless of ethnicity, gender, race, or religion. To learn more about SFIC and its scholarship programs, visit www.sficnj.org.

About the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children

Founded in 1983 as the Fund for Educational Advancement, the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) is a non-profit organization that provides children in need with the opportunity for a quality, values-based education in a safe environment.

It offers partial-tuition assistance for students from economically disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds attending private and parochial schools within Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Scholarships are based on need without regard to religion, gender, race, or ethnic background. To date, SFIC has provided $53.5 million in partial-tuition assistance. Applicant families must be ready to provide proof of income and intend to attend one of the schools within the four counties it serves. For more information, visit www.sficnj.org.

About the Archdiocese of Newark 

The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics across northern New Jersey’s Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. Led by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, the Archdiocese includes 211 parishes, 67 Catholic schools, and numerous missions and ministries committed to faith, education, and social service. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.