(WHITE TWP., NJ – July 21, 2026) - The Warren County Board of County Commissioners honored six recent Warren County Technical School graduates who were awarded scholarships through the NJAC Foundation, the charitable arm of the New Jersey Association of Counties, during its July 8 meeting.

The Foundation is granting $113,000 in scholarships this year to county vocational-technical school graduates throughout the state who plan to continue their educational journeys at a county college or state college or university in the fall.

Warren County’s 2026 recipients were Laurel Hartman, Zohair Khan, Kellen Limoli, Alexis Smith, Aiden Waagner and Maciej Waclawski.

(Group photo, l-r) - NJAC Executive Director John Donnadio, Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski, Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla, Alexis Smith, Laurel Hartman, Commissioner James R. Kern III, Aiden Waagner, Patrick Coan of SJI and Maciej Waclawski. Missing: Kellen Limoli, who could not attend; and Zohair Khan, who arrived later.

"Every one of these students has shown a commitment not only to academic excellence, but to leadership and community service,” Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla said, adding, “We're grateful to NJAC and its partners for recognizing and rewarding these students’ hard work and dedication.”

"Reading through the accomplishments of these students, it's clear that they have already made a positive impact in their schools and communities. They represent the best of Warren County, and I know they'll continue to make us proud wherever their educational journeys take them," said Commissioner James Kern III.

Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski said, “I want to thank NJAC and all the partners that have been so gracious in donating to these wonderful young adults who are pursuing their next steps of their education.”

He added that NJAC Executive Director John Donnadio has been a great advocate for the program, and that the scholarship dollars keep increasing.

 “I love hearing when someone says they’re going to Warren County Community College; it’s such a great place to start,” said Donnadio, offering congratulations to the students and their families.

Donnadio noted that the candidates “keep getting better and better.”   

Laurel Hartman of Harmony received the South Jersey Industries (SJI) scholarship of $1,650. Hartman was a member of the Military Appreciation Club, serving in leadership positions all four years; served as Vice President of Student Government; and was the cross-country girls team captain her junior and senior years. She has participated in SKILSUSA since sophomore year, executing wedding cake and quiz bowl competitions. Hartman intends to start out at WCCC through the NJ STARS program, then move on to Rowan University to major in Animal Science.

Zohair Khan of Lopatcong was awarded the AT&T Scholarship of $1,000. He was inducted into the National Honors Society and served as vice president; was co-editor of the Key Club, creating infographics of the club’s accomplishments; was co-secretary of Student Government; and was the yearbook club manager. Khan mentored younger students as a member of Warren Tech’s Peer2Peer program. He holds certifications in Microsoft Excel, and is multilingual, speaking fluent Urdu, Hindi and Arabic. Khan is heading to New Jersey Institute of Technology to pursue a Science and Information Technology major.

Kellen Limoli of Alpha received the Amazon Scholarship of $1,000. He was part of the historic class of firefighters in the county, graduating in June 2025 with firefighter 1 and 2 concurrently. He also achieved third place in SkillsUSA in Firefighting in 2025, and planned to compete again in 2026. He was the captain of the Police Explorers Club, helping with extracurricular activities around school. Limoli has worked at Turnkey Enterprises, a family business, since 2022. Too busy working to attend the presentation in person, Limoli will study Criminal Justice at WCCC.

Investors Bank, a division of Citizens Bank N.A., awards two $500 scholarships in all 21 counties, and Alexis Smith and Aiden Waagner were this year’s Warren County recipients.

Smith, of Phillipsburg, was part of Warren Tech’s Child Development program, creating and executing lessons for the preschoolers in the afternoon program. She participated in the Peer2Peer program, mentoring younger students, and competed in SkillsUSA. Smith was a member of the prom committee; is an active member of Washington Presbyterian Church, and works as a private caregiver for a local senior. She will pursue Elementary and Secondary Education at WCCC.

Waagner is from Lopatcong and ranked fourth in his class with a 4.20 GPA. He served as secretary and fundraising chair of the Key Club, and co-secretary of Student Government. He was very involved with the Boy Scouts, being Order of the Arrow leader for all of Warren County and leading his own troop for over a year. Waagner will major in STEM/Education at Kean University with plans to be a math teacher. Having tutored Warren Tech students, he is off to a running start!

Maciej Waclawski of Blairstown received the SHI International scholarship of $250. He participated in the SkillsUSA for two years, competing in commercial drones and architectural drafting. He fences for Valhalla Fencing Club in Hackettstown and is ranked 20^th in the state. He served on the 4H Teen Council, taking on leadership roles including managing the milkshake booth at the Farmers’ Fair! For the last three years, Waclawski has been working as a part time precision machinist at Blairstown Machining. He will attend County College of Morris to study Mechanical Engineering Technology.

Also attending the awards presentation was Patrick Coan of South Jersey Industries, who made the trip to congratulate the students and their families in person. “It’s a testament to how hard you work, and we’re super proud to able to contribute to this foundation,” he said.

Laurel Hartman with (l-r) Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski, NJAC Executive Director John Donnadio, Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla, Commissioner James R. Kern III and Patrick Coan of SJI.

Zohair Khan with Commissioners Sarnoski, Ciesla and Kern. (He arrived too late for the group photo.)

Alexis Smith with (l-r) Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski, NJAC Executive Director John Donnadio, Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla, Commissioner James R. Kern III and Patrick Coan of SJI. 

Aiden Waagner with (l-r) Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski, NJAC Executive Director John Donnadio, Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla, Commissioner James R. Kern III and Patrick Coan of SJI.

Maciej Waclawski with (l-r) Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski, NJAC Executive Director John Donnadio, Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla, Commissioner James R. Kern III and Patrick Coan of SJI.

Sarnsoki, Ciesla, Kern and Coan listen as NJAC Executive Director John Donnadio (second from left) discusses the NJAC Foundation Scholarship programs.