Wayne NJ Athletes Compete for $10K in Scholarships

High school athletes in Wayne, New Jersey, are competing for $10,000 in scholarships this year through a program that celebrates excellence while keeping a beloved student's memory alive.

The Rocco Sivolella Athlete of the Year program, now in its fourth year, honors Rocco Sivolella, a Wayne Valley student and athlete who died from acute myeloid leukemia in May 2022 at just 15 years old. His mother, Paula Corrieri, helps organize the annual awards dinner each June.

This year's prize pool jumped 25% from $8,000 to $10,000, thanks to support from three local sponsors. Wayne Surgical Center is donating $5,000 for the top scholarship, while Kingsview Partners contributes $3,000 for the runner-up and Big Blue Swim School adds $2,000 for third place.

Here's how students earn their shot at the scholarships. Each month from September through May, one athlete from Wayne Hills High School and one from Wayne Valley High School gets nominated as Athlete of the Month. Winners receive gift cards from local restaurants and automatically qualify for the year-end scholarship competition.

By May, 18 athletes will be in the running for the three scholarships. The program has previously honored swimmers Sarah Rodrigues (a two-time winner) and Peter Swede, both from Wayne Valley.

The Ripple Effect

The program does more than provide college money. It brings together Wayne's two public high schools in celebration rather than rivalry, creating a tradition of recognizing excellence on and off the field.

At the June dinner, all 18 monthly winners receive recognition, and their coaches present them with framed copies of their featured articles. Local businesses donate the meal and gift cards throughout the year, making it a true community effort.

The competition is already underway, with this year's winners to be announced at the awards dinner next June. For these student-athletes, every game and meet is now an opportunity to honor Rocco's legacy while earning support for their future.