At White Glove Moving & Storage, helping people through major transitions has been at the heart of our work for more than 30 years. We are proud to announce Naliah Perez, a student at the Culinary Institute of America from Colonia, New Jersey, as the recipient of our 2026 $1,000 scholarship.

Through this scholarship program, we extend our commitment beyond moving services by supporting students and recognizing the experiences that have shaped their lives.

About the Scholarship

For this year’s scholarship, we invited high school seniors, college students, and university students across the country to submit an essay on a topic closely connected to our work: “The Most Challenging Move I Experienced and What It Taught Me.”

The response was overwhelming. Nearly 900 students shared their personal stories with us. Their essays reflected a wide range of experiences, from childhood relocations and family changes to moves connected with education, career goals, and new opportunities. Each submission offered a unique perspective on navigating change and the lessons students carried forward from those experiences.

After reviewing the submissions, our team selected five finalists based on creativity, originality, clarity, and depth of reflection. The finalist essays were then shared on our social media channels for public voting, and Naliah’s essay received the highest engagement to become the winning submission.

Meet Our 2026 Scholarship Winner

Naliah Perez took a thoughtful and unique approach to the scholarship topic. Instead of focusing on a single move from one place to another, she reflected on a different kind of transition: growing up between two homes in Jersey City and Camden, New Jersey.

For nearly eighteen years, her regular trips along the I-95 corridor became a defining part of her childhood, teaching her how to adapt to different environments while maintaining her own sense of identity.

In her essay, Naliah describes how both of her parents shaped the way she views the world. Her mother encouraged her to think critically, ask questions, and consider different perspectives, while her father taught her the importance of perseverance and continuing forward when challenges arise.

One of the most memorable passages reads:

“Physically, mentally, and emotionally ‘moving’ back and forth between these spaces could have easily broken the spirit of any adolescent. Instead, I took what would likely be perceived primarily in a negative connotation or defining circumstances and decided to make my lived experience a positive aspect of my life.”

— Naliah Perez, 2026 White Glove Moving & Storage Scholarship Winner

Naliah’s essay shows that the impact of a move is not always defined by distance. By transforming a challenging childhood experience into a source of strength, she demonstrated the adaptability and perseverance that will continue to guide her as she pursues her passion for culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America.

We are honored to provide this $1,000 scholarship to support Naliah as she continues her education and works toward achieving her professional goals.

A Commitment Beyond Moving Services

Every major move marks the beginning of an important new chapter. Over the years, we have helped families, individuals, and businesses navigate significant milestones, and we understand the value of having support during times of change.

“Every move tells a story, and this scholarship was created to recognize the experiences that shape who we become. The thoughtfulness, honesty, and resilience we saw in this year’s submissions were truly inspiring. We’re proud to congratulate Naliah and grateful to every student who shared their story with us.”

— Julie Cabrera, General Manager of White Glove Moving & Storage

Investing in students and encouraging their academic pursuits is one of the ways we give back to the communities that have trusted us for decades. Through this scholarship program, we are able to make a positive impact in ways that go beyond our everyday work of moving, packing, and storage.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 scholarship highlighted the many meaningful stories students shared with us and strengthened our commitment to continuing this initiative in the future. We look forward to celebrating more student journeys and providing opportunities for students to share their stories.

• Interested in future scholarship opportunities? Follow White Glove Moving & Storage on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and check our official Scholarship Page for future announcements, deadlines, and eligibility requirements.
• Planning an upcoming transition? Explore our full range of moving, packing, and storage services to learn how White Glove Moving & Storage can support your next relocation.