Jackson Lightfoot Whitsett Memorial Fund Honors Glenfield Student
- Erin Madigan White
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence congratulates Elodie Trinh, an eighth grader at Glenfield Middle School and the 2025 recipient of the Jackson Lightfoot Whitsett Memorial Fund Award.
Trinh, (pictured above with Glenfield dance teacher Julia Sprung), was selected for this honor by Glenfield staff and received a $100 cash award for embodying the spirit of Jackson Lightfoot Whitsett, for whom the award is named.
"[Elodie] has been a dedicated and solid presence in Glenfield's GSA [Gender and Sexuality Alliance] for all three years, showing up with heart, purpose, and unwavering commitment. They consistently volunteered their time to support events and initiatives, always going the extra mile to ensure that every voice was heard and every person felt seen, valued, and accepted. Their leadership and compassion have helped make our community stronger, safer, and more inclusive," said Steven Titus and Samantha Buttitta, advisors of the Glenfield GSA.
Lightfoot Whitsett graduated from Glenfield, was active in dance and cheerleading at Montclair High School, and inspired others to unapologetically celebrate their identity. Lightfoot Whitsett co-founded the Glenfield GSA. The Memorial Fund was established in 2023 to honor his life and legacy.
“The Jackson Lightfoot Whitsett Award, given in his memory, continues the legacy of an incredibly kind and talented young man who had a vision to create a more joyous and inclusive world," said Syreeta Carrington, a Glenfield teacher and Whitsett family representative.
MFEE raises money through the JLWMF with the goal of supporting and creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth across the Montclair Public Schools.
MFEE recently worked with The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization that provides suicide prevention, crisis support, research and advocacy for LGBTQ+ young people, to design and implement professional development training for staff at all three Montclair middle schools. Additionally, MFEE hosted an allyship workshop for parents and caregivers.
“Part of our mission is to fund experiences that have a positive impact on students’ social-emotional and mental health, something that’s particularly critical during middle school,” said Dory Hack, MFEE’s director of innovative programming. “These sessions provided an opportunity for teachers, staff, parents and caregivers to deepen their capacity to support students and help them thrive."
Click here to learn more and support this donor-dedicated fund.
