The following was sent to us from Cranford Democratic Committee:

    Two Cranford Students Receive Allan C. Kane Scholarship Rebecca Deczynski and Daniel Murphy, both June graduates of Cranford High School, each received a check for $2500 this week from the Cranford Democratic Committee.

Daniel Murphy is a member of the National Honor Society, the Academy for Performing Arts, the Tri-Music Honor Society, the Cranford Green Team, the Student Environmental Task Force, and numerous other arts and service organizations.  “The most important thing I have learned is the value of service, of giving back to your community,” said Daniel.  “I have learned to not be afraid to put yourself out there and take chances.” He plans to attend Fordham University in September.

Rebecca Deczynski is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and the National Society of High School Scholars.  She coordinated the Holocaust Day of Remembrance for two years and participated in the Relay for Life for three years.  She will attend Barnard College in the fall.  Rebecca said, “My dreams are large, but my budget is small, so scholarship funds will help make those dreams come true.”

Both Rebecca and Daniel have served as student liaison to the Cranford Board of Education and have participated in projects for the Friends of the Cranford Public Library and Hanson Park.  Both have extensive experience in the performing arts at Cranford High School and beyond.

Funding for the Allan C. Kane Scholarships was provided by a bequest from the late Cranford resident and financial planner, Allan Kane.  At the awards ceremony this week, Allan Kane’s widow, Rae, congratulated Rebecca and Daniel and told them how proud Allan would have been of them.

“Allan was a self-made man,” said Rae. “He was raised in an orphanage, yet he never felt sorry for himself.  He worked hard and eventually established his own financial advisory firm, Allan C. Kane Associates.”  Allan and Rae moved to Cranford in 1980.  In addition to the Cranford Democratic Committee, Allan was a member of the Cranford Rotary Club, Temple Beth-El, and other organizations.

Cranford Democratic Chairman Carolyn Vollero said that Rebecca and Daniel are outstanding students who have done a great deal of service to their community and have shown that they have leadership qualities.  She thanked Rae for Allan’s making these scholarships possible.