Officials hope alum's example will spur more scholarships OLD BRIDGE - More than 25 years ago, a student at the former Cedar Ridge High School made a promise to himself that one day he would give back to the community where he came from and be there for children like himself. Donovan Mannato and his sister were raised in the formerArcadiaGardensApartments, located off Route 9, by their mother. He said his life was not easy, and recalled one daywalking around the streets and asking himself "why somebody didn't see something in me. ... Times were tough." Mannato now wants to be that "somebody" for a student at Old Bridge High School. As a result, he has initiated a scholarship fund that will reward one student each year with a $5,000 per year college scholarship for four years, as long as the student maintains a 2.0 grade-point average in college. The conditions of the scholarship are that the student must play two different varsity sports for three years, attain a minimum 3.0 average and live in the former Arcadia Gardens (now Stratford Arms). If no one qualifies from that complex, then the student can reside in any of the apartment complexes along the Route 9 corridor. Today, life for Mannato is much easier. He resides in Rumson with his wife and 2- year-old son. He is employed as a wealth adviser for Morgan Stanley in New York. Mannato, who played football and wrestled at Cedar Ridge High School, said he is grateful to the school for what he has, and he wants to give back to the community and help someone "walking in my shoes." "I want to get the message to kids that it's [the scholarship] there and they have something tangible to work for," he said. "People care. It doesn't matter your starting point; nothing is out of reach." School officials are hoping that more current and former members of the community step forward to provide scholarship funding. Last year, more than $250,000 in scholarships was awarded to graduating seniors at Old Bridge High School during its annual Senior Scholarship Night. Students were honored for academic success, athletic success and community service, as well as participation in clubs and programs offered at the school. Any members of the community, graduates, local businesses or others interested in establishing scholarships should contact high school Vice Principal Ann Panagakos at (732) 290-3900.