Colts Neck High School business teacher Cindy Bravaco was selected by former student Bradley Polkowitz as the teacher-mentor who had the greatest impact on Bradley’s academic achievement. Bradley, a senior at the University of Maryland in College Park in the Robert H. Smith School of Business, has been chosen as a 2022-2023 Philip Merrill Presidential Scholar. 

This highly selective program is made possible by the generosity of the Philip Merrill family. It recognizes students’ academic excellence and the important role that teachers and faculty have as mentors. In addition to recognizing the seniors, the Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars program honors the K-12 teachers and University of Maryland faculty selected by the students themselves. 

To celebrate this honor and to recognize the impact of teaching and mentoring on the academic success of student scholars, Ms. Bravaco was invited to a day of special activities on the College Park campus earlier this month. The day included a workshop led by distinguished faculty and a celebration luncheon for scholars, teachers, and faculty. 

The University of Maryland recognizes the essential contributions of K-12 teachers to the academic success of its students. To continue this circle of excellence, the University and the Merrill family will offer a $1,500 scholarship in Ms. Bravaco’s name to an incoming first-year student in Fall 2023 from Colts Neck High School or a high school in the Freehold Regional High School District. Ms. Bravaco also received an honorarium in recognition of the achievement.