WAYNE, N.J. - Tuesday, June 27, 2017 - Valley National Bank, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Valley National Bancorp (NYSE:VLY)(“Valley”), is pleased to announce the five winners of the 2017 Samuel F. Riskin Memorial Award.
Established by the Riskin Family and Valley National Bank, the Samuel F. Riskin Memorial Award was created as a way to keep alive the memory of Samuel F. Riskin who served as Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Valley National Bank for 40 years. The purpose of the award is to support Bank employees and/or their children to achieve their career goals. These five winners were chosen from over 50 applicants based on their career aspirations and the passion each demonstrated for reaching them. Funding for the scholarships is provided by the Riskin Family and Valley National Bank.
This year’s winners will receive a $3,500 scholarship award to be used at the higher education institution of their choice. Funding for the scholarships is provided by the Riskin Family and Valley National Bank.
The 2017 winners are:
- Delia Zumpano (The College of New Jersey) is a biology major pursuing her goal of becoming an emergency medicine doctor. Delia was inducted into the National Italian Honor Society in May 2015, the National Social Studies Honor Society in April 2016, the National Honor Society in October 2016, and received an AP Scholar Award in August, 2016. She was named captain of the Girls Varsity Fencing Team her senior year of high school, and participated in various clubs such as Key Club, Italian Club and Women’s Acappella Choir.
- Ashley R Silecchia (Kutztown University) aspires to be a special education teacher for elementary students, specifically focusing on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She plans to complete the four-year program offered by Kutztown and hopes to find a full-time position prior to graduation. She is a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority which supports Berks Women in Crisis, a nonprofit to aid victims of domestic and sexual violence. Outside of school Ashley spends her time with her family and friends and enjoys hiking, boating and playing sports.
- Sarah O’Sullivan (University of Rhode Island) is passionate for marine life and wishes to earn her degree in Marine Biology to develop solutions to overcome water plastic pollution in our environment. To achieve her goal of becoming a marine scientist, she will work alongside her college professors and colleagues on solutions for water pollution. Sarah has been a Girl Scout for over 12 years and has received the Bronze and Silver Awards for her work in the community. She is involved in various after school activities such as Peer-to-Peer Club, Interact Club, Go-Green, International Friendship Circle, Red Cross Club, National Honor Society, French Honor Society and was named captain of the Girls Cross Country and Track team.
- Haley A Sanborn (Florida Gulf Coast University) has spent the beginning of her college career studying biochemistry in the hope of becoming a pediatrician. She is applying to premedical school in the fall semester of 2017, and before graduation in 2019 she will apply to UCLA medical school. Haley received her laureate diploma at Naples High School and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success at FGCU. She has attended the CEO Academy at FGCU and is currently being initiated into the honors program. She is a member of 13 different clubs at FGCU but is most active in the French Club. In Haley’s free time she enjoys running her blog, enjoying the outdoors, and keeping fit by running, practicing yoga and playing sports.
- John Butler (Shippensburg University) is a freshman accounting major at Shippensburg University. John’s goal is to work in forensic accounting for the Internal Revenue Service, as he aims to earn his MBA and take an additional 30 credits to meet the requirement to take the CPA exam. During the summer, he hopes to intern with a large regional CPA firm located in Monmouth County to gain experience. John has been recognized for three years as a Spartan Scholar and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is a member of the marching band, concert band, jazz band and pep band and is a member of the Varsity Bowling Team. Outside of school John is an Eagle Scout, volunteers at childcare services, and aids his church’s CCD program.
Valley National Bancorp is a regional bank holding company headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey with approximately $23 billion in assets. Its principal subsidiary, Valley National Bank, currently operates over 200 branch locations in northern and central New Jersey, the New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, and Florida. Valley National Bank is one of the largest commercial banks headquartered in New Jersey with Executive Offices in Manhattan and West Palm Beach. Helping communities grow and prosper is the heart of Valley’s corporate citizenship philosophy. For more information about Valley National Bank and its products and services, please visit a convenient branch location, www.valleynationalbank.com or call our Customer Service Team at 800-522-4100.