Annual Conor McKenna Courage Award Scholarship
The Conor McKenna Courage Award Scholarship is in the name of Conor McKenna, our son, who was a member of the class of 2013 at Spring-Ford High School. Conor passed away on March 5, 2011 at the age of 15 from complications due to a rare cancer, angiosacroma. This courage scholarship was started to continue Conor’s memory and to award this scholarship to a member of the senior class at Spring-Ford High School each year who exhibits tremendous courage and strength of the human spirit in dealing with some adversity in their lives just as our son did in his fight with cancer.
The foundation’s mission is to give a Spring-Ford High School senior a 4 year scholarship every year for as long as the foundation continues to raise the funds to support this scholarship. The recipient of this scholarship would be someone who showed tremendous courage when faced with some type of adversity in their life. It could be illnesses, or family issues but they too are showing how courageous they are by battling these things and continuing to go to school, play their sport, play their instrument, go to work, or take care of others. These students are courageous every day and none of that courage is big and bold or out there for all to see. Whatever little things we can do to recognize them and give them support could be the thing that makes the difference in their lives.
Each year we receive applications for the Conor McKenna Courage Award Scholarship. The applicant writes an essay explaining their battle and how they dealt with the adversity in their lives. The student must be continuing their education in any capacity. It can be a 2 or 4 year school. We read these essays and what understand what is important for all of us to remember, that teenagers and young adults and are going through very difficult trials in their lives.
Whatever we can do to help them, even in little ways, will help them continue their fight and maybe make a difference in helping them deal with their adversity.
The winner is chosen by the family of Conor and the winner is announced at the Senior night awards Night in May of each year. So far the foundation has awarded 4 scholarships to deserving students. We hope to continue this scholarship at least up to the graduating class of 2019 and beyond as the funds are available.
