Northeast Catholic Alumni Memorial Scholarship
The History of the Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Fund was founded on April 30, 1968, by then Alumni Association President Leonard F. Knobbs, '53, to award tuition assistance grants to graduating seniors from NECHS to attend Allentown College of St. Francis deSales (now deSales University). The Fund was granted Articles of Incorporation by Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Griffiths on January 22, 1969. On February 13, the IRS granted the Fund tax exempt status as a charitable organization. The Fund is administered by a Board of Trustees consisting of all past presidents of Northeast Catholic Alumni Association, Inc. In 1973, the Board of Trustees expanded the number of colleges to also include LaSalle, St. Joseph's, Villanova, and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. A major change was enacted in 1977 when the Trustees established grants to be awarded to the son/daughter of a dues paying alumnus to attend one of the approved colleges and a grant was established to partially underwrite the tuition of a Freshmen entering Northeast Catholic High School. Over the years, the number of tuition assistance grants and their annual value was increased until in 1992 the Fund was awarding $106,000 annually to four college students and twenty-one Northeast Catholic students. Faced with the threatened closure of Northeast Catholic, the Board of Trustees responded by suspending future college grants and increasing the number of tuition assistance grants awarded to incoming Freshmen at NECHS to 57 with an annual value of $165,000. By 2008, the Trustees had increased the value of the grants being awarded to $250,000 annually to incoming Freshmen at NECHS. With the closure of Northeast Catholic High School in 2010, the Board of Trustees made the following changes. Grants would be awarded to the children and grandchildren of dues paying members of the Alumni Association. In 2010, the grants were valued at $250,500 annually. In 2013, the grants were increased to $261,000 annually; and in 2016 to $300,000 annually. Commencing with the grants awarded in 2018, $500,000 in grants were awarded as follows: Four grants of $32,000 each to attend specific universities/colleges; Five grants of $20,000 each, five grants of $16,000 each, five grants of $12,000 each, and five grants of $8,000 each to attend specific high schools; and three grants of $9,000 each, four grants of $6,000 each, and three grants of $3,000 each to attend specific parochial grade schools. For complete details on the schools and eligibility requirements go to the News page. The Scholarship Fund evolved again in 2022. Scholarships will be offered to children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren of current dues paying members of the Northeast Catholic Alumni Association. Furthermore, as of 2023, these grants now include Catholic Elementary and High Schools in the boundaries of the Philadelphia, Camden, and Trenton Dioceses. In addition to Diocesan schools, this includes Private Catholic Elementary, Regional Catholic Schools and Independent Catholic Mission Schools in these Dioceses. The college grants are limited to 4-year programs at any Catholic Colleges and Universities in Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester counties of Pennsylvania, with the only exception being DeSales University in Center Valley, PA, an Oblates of St Francis de Sales run institution. The complete list of eligible colleges and universities are: Cabrini College – Radnor, PA, Chestnut Hill College – Philadelphia, PA, DeSales University – Center Valley, PA, Gwynedd-Mercy College – Gwynedd Valley, PA, Holy Family University – Philadelphia, PA, Immaculata University – Immaculata, PA, La Salle University – Philadelphia, PA, Manor College – Jenkintown, PA, Neumann University – Aston, PA, Rosemont College of the Holy Child Jesus – Rosemont, PA, Saint Joseph University – Philadelphia, PA, Villanova University – Villanova, PA The college and high school grants are payable over four years in equal semi-annual installments and the grade school grants over three years in equal semi-annual installments directly to the institution on the students' behalf. Since its inception, the Fund has expended in excess of $6.3 million in helping young men and women further their Catholic education. The bulk of this, over $3.16 million went to underwrite tuition for students at Northeast Catholic High School. Among the other Catholic educational institutions that have been major recipients are: LaSalle, Holy Family, DeSales, and St. Joseph Universities; Roman Catholic, Father Judge, Little Flower, and Archbishop Ryan High Schools; and Our Lady of Port Richmond, St. Cecilia, St. Christopher, and St. Jerome parochial grade schools. Students at eleven colleges, twenty-one high schools, and forty-one parochial grade schools in the Philadelphia, Camden, and Trenton Dioceses have received tuition assistance. Tax deductible donations may be sent to the Fund at P. 0. Box 7005, Philadelphia, PA 19149-0005.
Request a Grant Application
The Scholarship Application request period has ended for the 2023-24 school year. Please check back toward the end of 2023 for the application request form for the 2024-25 school year. Remember, the person requesting a scholarship application must be a living dues paying member of the Northeast Catholic Alumni Association, and the student must be in 5th grade for the Grade School scholarship, 8th grade for the High School scholarship and 12th grade for the College scholarship when the application is submitted.
Memorial Scholarship Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees of the Northeast Catholic Alumni Memorial Scholarship is comprised of current and former Presidents of the Northeast Catholic Alumni Association. The current members include the following:
Chairman:
Treasurer:
Trustees:
Robert J Kensil Jr '74
Stephen A Cardullo '72
James W Bollendorf '73
Patrick J Boyle '49
Jeffrey W Brown '79
John J Hanejko '65
Rocco G Iacone '55
Thomas P Morgan '64
John T Musial '63
Albert P Waskiewicz '79
Raymond P Zegarski '59
Grant Winners
College Grants
2023
Melaina Caruso
$32,000
From Little Flower HS to Immaculata University
2023
Michael McDevitt
$32,000
From Father Judge HS to Villanova University
2023
Paige Smith
$32,000
From St Hubert HS to St Joseph's University
2023
Shane Thompson
$32,000
From Father Judge HS to La Salle University
2023
Tyler Wojnar
$32,000
From Holy Cross HS to St Joseph's University
2022
Nathan Crompton
$32,000
From Archbishop Ryan HS to Holy Family University
2022
Gabrielle Dugan
$32,000
From Little Flower HS to LaSalle University
2022
Michael McGerry
$32,000
From Father Judge HS to Holy Family University
2022
Connor McKnight
$32,000
From Holy Cross HS to Holy Family University
2022
Patrick McLaughlin
$32,000
From Archbishop Ryan HS to Holy Family University
2021
Hannah Dolan
$32,000
From St Basil Academy to Holy Family University
2021
Chloe Dolan
$32,000
From St Basil Academy to Holy Family University
2021
Samson Gerner
$32,000
From Holy Spirit HS to Rosemont College
2021
Kathryn McCole
$32,000
From Hallahan HS to St Joseph's University
2021
Brianna Wojnar
$32,000
From Holy Cross HS to Holy Family University
2020
Lilyanna Baynum
$32,000
From Camden Catholic HS to Cabrini University
2020
Peter Dolan
$32,000
From Father Judge HS to Holy Family University
2020
Olivia Headley
$32,000
From Conwell-Egan HS to Gwynedd Mercy University
2020
Kyle Vella
$32,000
From New Foundations Charter HS to Holy Family University
High School Grants
2023
Taryn Connor
$20,000
From St Joan of Arc to Paul VI HS
2023
Anna Mulderrig
$20,000
From Our Lady of Calvary to Archbishop Ryan HS
2023
Saige Primavera
$20,000
From St Katherine of Siena to St Hubert HS
2023
Hailey Sarzynski
$20,000
From St Michael The Archangel to Conwell-Egan HS
2023
Colin Schultz
$20,000
From St Jerome to Father Judge HS
2023
Samatha Crompton
$16,000
From St Martha to Archbishop Ryan HS
2023
Mackenzie Huckel
$16,000
From Our Lady of Grace to Conwell-Egan HS
2023
Madelyn McNeill
$16,000
From Our Lady of Calvary to Archbishop Ryan HS
2023
Mia Nottingham
$16,000
From Franklin Towne Charter to St Hubert HS
2023
Abigail Sullivan
$16,000
From St Mary's Interparochial School to Nazareth Academy HS
2023
Francesca Cannizarro
$12,000
From St Martha to Archbishop Ryan HS
2023
Brayden Miller
$12,000
From St Martha to Archbishop Wood HS
2023
Dylan Naldzin
$12,000
From Arcola Intermediate to La Salle College HS
2023
Chloe Secoda
$12,000
From Holy Family Regional School to Conwell-Egan HS
2023
Thomas Shirk
$12,000
From Franklin Towne Charter to Roman Catholic HS
2023
Joseph Cahill
$8,000
From St George to Father Judge HS
2023
Julia Coyle
$8,000
From Our Lady of Hope Regional School to Our Lady of Mercy Academy HS
2023
Thomas Maher
$8,000
From Franklin Towne Charter to Father Judge HS
2023
Michael Primavera
$8,000
From St Katherine of Siena to Roman Catholic HS
2023
Kenndi Walton
$8,000
From St Katherine of Siena to Archbishop Ryan HS
2022
Christopher DiPasquale
$20,000
From St Matthew to Father Judge HS
2022
Thomas McGerry
$20,000
From St Katherine of Siena to Father Judge HS
2022
Cara Mott
$20,000
From St Christopher to Little Flower HS
2022
Isabella O'Connor
$20,000
From St Matthew to Archbishop Ryan HS
2022
Aislin Slook
$20,000
From St Katherine of Sienna to Little Flower HS
2022
Sean Cahill
$16,000
From Our Lady of Calvary to Archbishop Ryan HS
2022
Jessica Helder
$16,000
From St Margaret Regional School to Paul VI HS
2022
Brendan Kelly
$16,000
From St Dominic to Father Judge HS
2022
Jessica Long
$16,000
From St George to Archbishop Ryan HS
2022
Luke Thomas
$16,000
From MAST Community Charter School to Father Judge HS
2022
Alyssa DiNezza
$12,000
From St Cecilia to Archbishop Wood HS
2022
Jeffery Kolakowski
$12,000
From St Jerome to Father Judge HS
2022
Michael Rossi
$12,000
From St Cecila to Father Judge HS
2022
Matthew Sears
$12,000
From St Matthew to Roman Catholic HS
2022
Grace Smith
$12,000
From St George to St Hubert HS
2022
Austin Synder
$8,000
From First Philadelphia Charter to Father Judge HS
2021
Alexa Harr
$20,000
From St Laurentius to Little Flower HS
2021
Hayden Johnston
$20,000
From St Laurentius to Little Flower HS
2021
Aiden Kain
$20,000
From St Katherine of Siena to Father Judge HS
2021
Kevin Szychulski
$20,000
From Maternity BVM to Father Judge HS
2021
Kelly Walsh
$20,000
From St Christopher to Archbishop Ryan HS
2021
Katie Crompton
$16,000
From St Martha to Archbishop Ryan HS
2021
Michael Dunbar III
$16,000
From Stephen Decatur to Father Judge HS
2021
Tierney McGovern
$16,000
From St Christopher to Archbishop Ryan HS
2021
Francis Schick
$16,000
From St Katherine of Siena to Father Judge HS
2021
Christopher Somers
$16,000
From Blessed Trinity to Father Judge HS
2021
Leo Hofmann
$12,000
From Franklin Towne Charter to Father Judge HS
2021
Kaiden Laverty
$12,000
From Our Lady of Calvary to Father Judge HS
2021
Connor McLaughlin
$12,000
From St Martha to Archbishop Ryan HS
2021
Kathleen Sortino
$12,000
From Our Lady of Port Richmond to St Hubert HS
2021
Cecelia Zaleski
$12,000
From St Matthew to St Hubert HS
2020
Grace Edney
$20,000
From St Jerome to St Hubert HS
2020
Anthony Frazier
$20,000
From St Pio Regional School to Roman Catholic HS
2020
Emily Krajewski
$20,000
From Our Lady of Port Richmond to Little Flower HS
2020
Christopher McCole
$20,000
From Immaculate Heart of Mary to Roman Catholic HS
2020
Molly McGovern
$20,000
From St Peter to Camden Catholic HS
2020
Grace Mott
$20,000
From St Christopher to Little Flower HS
2020
Logan Klose
$16,000
From St Matthew to Father Judge HS
2020
Gavin Lamb
$16,000
From Our Lady of Port Richmond to Father Judge HS
2020
Joseph McKillip
$16,000
From St Laurentius to Roman Catholic HS
2020
Juliane Quinn
$16,000
From St Martha to Archbishop Ryan HS
2020
Aidan Slook
$16,000
From St Katherine of Sienna to Father Judge HS
2020
Lauren Headley
$12,000
From Our Lady of Grace to Conwell-Egan HS
2020
Lillian Quaresima
$12,000
From St Martha to Archbishop Ryan HS
2020
Nicholas Ricci
$12,000
From St Katherine of Sienna to Roman Catholic HS
2020
Sean Rola
$12,000
From Christ The King to Archbishop Ryan HS
2020
Jayden Rounbehler
$12,000
From Willamstown Middle School to Roman Catholic HS
2020
Allison Coleman
$8,000
From Philadelphia Academy Charter to St Hubert HS
2020
Ashlyn Fields-Clarkson
$8,000
From St Ephrem to Archbishop Ryan HS
2020
Brayden Henes
$8,000
From Bridesburg Elementary to Father Judge HS
2020
Ethan Large
$8,000
From New Foundations Charter to Archbishop Ryan HS
2020
Timothy Rauch
$8,000
From Our Lady of Calvary to Father Judge HS
Grade School Grants
2023
Chloe Watson
$9,000
St Jerome
2023
Cambree Kelly
$9,000
St Jerome
2023
Scarlett Huckel
$9,000
Our Lady of Grace
2023
Timothy Walton
$6,000
St Katherine of Siena
2023
Jax Thomson
$6,000
St Albert The Great
2023
Luke Szchulski
$6,000
St Katherine of Siena
2023
Roscoe Pazdunkiewicz
$6,000
Nazareth Academy Grade School
2023
Leah Rettershofer
$3,000
St Laurentius
2022
Jack Szychulski
$9,000
Maternity BVM
2022
Brendan Smith
$9,000
Our Lady of Calvary
2022
Joseph McGerry
$9,000
St Katherine of Siena
2022
Kevin Wojnar
$6,000
St Charles Borromeo
2022
Brendan Vena
$6,000
St Jerome
2022
Avery Harr
$6,000
St Laurentius
2022
Koko Hane
$6,000
St Thomas the Apostle
2022
Cole Roberts
$3,000
Holy Innocents
2022
Scarlett Mendys
$3,000
St George
2022
Richard Dempsey
$3,000
Our Lady of Calvary
2021
Michael Szychulski
$9,000
St Katherine of Siena
2021
Cole Kelly
$9,000
St Jerome
2021
Emma Hand
$9,000
St Jerome
2021
Sydney Schick
$6,000
St Katherine of Siena
2021
Evan Pyfer
$6,000
St Katherine Drexel
2021
Samantha Hand
$6,000
St Jerome
2021
Savannah Delaney
$6,000
Our Lady of Good Counsel
2021
Madelyne Holmes
$3,000
St Ephrem School