2026 Scholarship Impact
High School Leadership Scholarship Program
Sponsored by the Pisani Family of New Rochelle
In 2026, the BrightPath Foundation, through the generous sponsorship of the Pisani Family of New Rochelle, awarded three scholarships totaling $3,500 to graduating seniors from John Jay High School, Wappingers Falls, NY. These scholarships recognize students who exemplify leadership, perseverance, service, and personal growth.
2026 Recipients
Three Pathways to Leadership
Leadership Excellence Scholarship
Kyle Kershaw
Academic Excellence & Leadership
$2,500
Scholarship
Graduating with a 104 GPA, Kyle served as President of the National Computer Science Honor Society and distinguished himself as a 6'6" high jumper — balancing elite athletic performance with outstanding scholastic success.
Kyle Kershaw received the Foundation's highest scholarship award in recognition of exceptional academic and leadership achievement. Kyle embodies the Foundation's belief that leadership is built through discipline, integrity, and consistent effort.
Perseverance Scholarship
Matt Doss
Resilience, Loyalty & Humility
$500
Scholarship
Throughout all four years of high school football, Matt remained a second/third-string player and never earned a starting position — yet he never quit, never stopped supporting his teammates, and never stopped showing up.
Matt Doss was selected for demonstrating one of the most overlooked qualities in leadership: commitment without recognition. His story reminds us that true character is revealed not when the spotlight is on us, but when no one is watching.
Emerging Leader Scholarship
Jackson Santiago
Organizational Leadership & Community Service
$500
Scholarship
Beginning as a freshman, Jackson advanced from Assistant Stage Manager to Stage Manager to elected President of the Proscenium Theatre Program — managing productions involving more than 150 students.
Jackson Santiago earned this scholarship for his extraordinary growth through John Jay High School's Proscenium Theatre Program. He helped oversee five-figure organizational budgets, organized fundraising initiatives, and partnered with NAMI to promote mental health awareness through student productions.
Made Possible By
About the Sponsor
The Pisani Family of New Rochelle
The Pisani Family's generous sponsorship made these three scholarships possible, directly investing in the next generation of leaders from John Jay High School. Their commitment reflects the BrightPath Foundation's belief that community members investing in young people is how strong communities are built.
Our Philosophy
Why It Matters
The BrightPath Foundation believes that scholarships should recognize more than grades alone. By celebrating students who demonstrate resilience, leadership, service, and character alongside academic achievement, we invest in young people who are prepared to strengthen their communities long after graduation. Each scholarship recipient represents a different pathway to success, reinforcing the Foundation's core belief that leadership can be found in the classroom, on the athletic field, behind the scenes, or anywhere a student chooses to serve others with integrity and purpose.
Leadership Areas Recognized
Help Us Award More Scholarships
Sponsor a scholarship or make a donation to help BrightPath Foundation recognize the next generation of leaders.