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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

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