Bernards Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Al LiCata said the chamber had received a number of applications for its annual scholarship for a local student who will be going on to study business in college — but he added that Julie Bottini stood out.

Bottini, who just graduated in June from Ridge High School, was presented on July 18 with the $500 scholarship award. The presentation, attended by Bottini and her mother, Louise Vivona Miller, was made during the chamber's networking event held at Kearns and Duffy Law Office in the Liberty Corner section of the township.

Bottini said she is heading to Marist College this fall in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where she will major in business.

While living in Bernards Township — where she arrived as a third grader at Mount Prospect Elementary School, she said — she said she has been involved in many organizations and civic efforts.

Among her activities — but not all — Bottini said she was a cheerleader at Ridge, a Girl Scout since starting as a Daisy, a volunteer coach for Ridge Youth Sports, both employee and volunteer at Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge, a volunteer for the Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains, an assistant at the aftercare program at Mount Prospect School, and more.