Four Summit women are headed to college this fall with a combined $25,000 boost — the biggest payout in the Fortnightly Club of Summit's scholarship history, and proof the local giving keeps growing.
The Fortnightly Club's Manley-Winser Scholarship recipients, announced the week of July 6, are:
- Wu-Yi Kessler — advertising at Marist University
- Jaenelle Osei-Yeboah — molecular and cell biology at the University of Connecticut, with an eye on a genetics career
- Jennifer Zhou — double major in biology and linguistics at Northwestern University
- Lauryn "Rory" Gingeleskie — communications at the University of Tennessee
"These young women have already demonstrated remarkable dedication, resilience, and a desire to make a positive difference in the world around them," said Stephanie Perrone, chair of the club's Scholarship Committee.
This isn't a one-time windfall — it's a trend. The scholarship pot has grown every year: $15,000 split three ways in 2024, $20,000 split two ways in 2025, and now $25,000 across four recipients in 2026, the largest class yet. Per-recipient amounts for this year weren't disclosed.
The scholarship is open to any female Summit resident heading to a two-year or four-year college, professional school or trade school, with awards based on financial need, academic merit and a personal essay.
The Fortnightly Club is a nonprofit women's organization with more than 100 members from Summit, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Chatham and Short Hills. It meets at the historic Twin Maples estate at 214 Springfield Ave., and its scholarship fund — supported by the Manley-Winser Foundation — has run continuously since at least 2004.
Thinking about next year?
The 2027 application deadline hasn't been announced yet, though past cycles have closed in early April. Interested applicants can reach the committee at [email protected] or visit fortnightlyclub.org.
