Jennifer Lucas Memorial Scholarship

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Jennifer Lucas was a treasured member of the Clifton Public Schools community,

serving the students she adored for nearly 30 years. She began her career in

Clifton in 1995 as an elementary music teacher, providing music education to

students in Schools 9, 11 and 12. Sharing her musical gifts, Ms. Lucas inspired

countless students, teaching them to embrace the many ways the beauty of

music cultivates talents, expands imagination, serves to connect to others, and

fills the soul.

Rising to the role of Assistant Principal of the School 12 Annex and eventually

becoming the beloved Principal of School 2 in 2010, Ms. Lucas left an indelible

mark on the entire Clifton Public Schools community. Despite leaving the

classroom, she never abandoned her love of music, often sharing her gift as a

pianist during school assemblies and gatherings.

Ms. Lucas has been described as a “second parent” by many, offering compassion,

warmth, kindness, and dedication to not only students and colleagues who

benefited from her leadership and kind heart, but also parents who sought her

guidance and wisdom, effortlessly given, making recipients feel seen, respected

and a valuable part of the school community. It has been said that she was “born

to be an elementary school principal.” She often contributed her leadership

beyond the confines of the city, most notably as the leader of the annual Safety

Patrol trip to Washington, DC, undertaking the daunting task of ensuring the

safety of the children in her charge. Parents and guardians had a sense of security

in knowing their most precious gifts were in Ms. Lucas’s capable hands.

Jennifer Lucas’s presence will be felt throughout the district whenever music fills

the air, reminding all whose lives she touched of her enduring legacy that will

reverberate for generations to come.

The Clifton Education Foundation is honored to be the administrators of the

Jennifer Lucas Memorial Scholarships, established by the Lucas family, awarding

two individual scholarships to deserving Clifton High School seniors pursuing a

career in Education or Music.

Those wishing to contribute to the scholarships may do so by sending a check

payable to Clifton Education Foundation, P. O. Box 2071, Clifton, NJ 07015. Please

include your email address and add a note that your donation should support the

Lucas scholarship. All donations are tax deductible.