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To friends of Bruce Selman and to those who wish to honor his contribution to our sport:
by Joseph F. Jones

As many of the readers of this letter already know, Bruce died January 24,2001 due to multiple myeloma. I would like to invite you to make a contribution in his memory to a scholarship fund created for a candidate for graduation, once the fund is set up and for future graduates at Curtis High School, his Alma Mater.

The goal is to continue a fund raising campaign until we have a solid endowment to encourage and to help support students to continue into higher education. Bruce was a graduate of the class of 1965. Following his winning the city championship in the Indoor mile, he won a scholarship to N.Y.U., where he had a great college experience, while turning in a more than decent mile time of 4:04. But let us talk about Bruce who went on to become a teacher. This is where he is noticeably seen as a giving person. He was a physical education and health teacher and the track coach at John F. Kennedy High School in the Bronx. He was always finding ways to raise money to take his team and outfit his team for meets in and outside of the city. He led Kennedy to a city championship in cross country. At Kennedy Bruce was known as the pretzel man , as he sold countless pretzels to raise money for the kids. He once told me that one of the best gifts he could give a student was a healthy dose of self esteem, which he taught them to find from within. Eight months before his death, Bruce and his family had suffered a personal tragedy, the loss of his eldest daughter Rachel. Bruce touched the lives of those who knew him, always encouraging the best in them to find its way toward fulfillment. As his life long friend I ask you to be as generous as he was by helping to establish this scholarship fund which will be in his memory for the purpose of helping to bring a greater purpose to many young aspiring college bound students graduating from Curtis H.S. On behalf of the Selman family and myself, thank you for your thoughtful and worthwhile contribution.

Please make your checks payable to:   Bruce Selman Scholarship Fund.

Mail to:

Joseph F. Jones
94 Clinton Ave.
Staten Island N.Y. 10301.

The initial funds will be turned over to and managed by the Curtis High School scholarship administrators. Subsequent collected funds will be added to the endowment as collected from year to year by a committee of interested friends. All monies collected will be listed for verification by all contributors and will be submitted to Curtis H.S. Anyone interested in being on this committee should indicate your interest to myself in writing or on phone. I thank you again.

Sincerely, Joseph F. Jones
Phone # 718-981-2241 Home
Work # 718-667-2786 Desk
Messages-718-667-2786