Forman Scholar Jayden Wright Envisions Balancing Love of Learning and Football Throughout College Career

Jayden Wright is a self-professed “numbers guy.” Unlike many of his peers, he has always enjoyed mathematics and the potential to continually learn more about the field. Today, the Forman Scholar is taking his love for the subject in a new and exciting direction as he prepares to study electrical engineering at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in Ewing. Jayden will also play Division III football as a member of the TCNJ Lions.

An introductory engineering course Jayden completed during his sophomore year at Salem High originally set his career plan into motion. He says TCNJ is the ideal school for him to balance both his academic and athletic interests.

“My performance in the classroom and on the field are equally important to me,” Jayden said. “After visiting multiple schools, I eventually came to the conclusion that TCNJ offered me the best opportunity to allow these aspects of my life to complement – rather than compete against – each other.”

Jayden looks forward to building independence in college and living away from home for the first time.

“When you go off to college, you no longer have a parent to lead you in the right direction 24/7 and to remind you, for example, to get up and go to class,” Jayden said. “College will allow me to take my first real step into adulthood and experience success and failures on my own. And I’m sure I will confront plenty of each along the way.”

The Forman Scholar elected to major in electrical engineering to broaden his interest and understanding of the real estate and homebuilding industries.

“I’ve always been intrigued by engineering, but at first it wasn’t easy selecting the exact type of engineering I’d want to focus my degree on,” Jayden said. “When I got a better idea of the different options available, I determined that electrical engineering presented the best path forward for me.”

Throughout his time at Salem High, Jayden remained a committed athlete and fierce competitor. When the school’s football team won its first-ever regional championship in late 2021, Jayden helped bring home the trophy as a linebacker and defensive lineman.  

“Simply put, when we won regionals against Woodbury, we made history,” Jayden said. “I felt tremendously special to have played a role in the team’s success. The whole school won that day, not just us. That title brought back so much pride and excitement to our community.”

He also threw shotput in the off-season for the Ram’s track and field team, as well as participated in the school’s environmental science club. 

Jayden envisions nothing but good times and great memories ahead as he prepares to leave Salem for TCNJ’s campus. College will no doubt be a challenge. Jayden knows that much. However, he also knows the Forman Scholars program will always keep him pushing ahead on the right track.

“The Foundation’s support is such a blessing,” Jayden said. “Very few people can say they don’t have to take out loans to pay for college. Even less have a dedicated, multi-person support system on standby to guide them every step of the way.”