Three middle school students were awarded this year's Mary E. Kirwan Catholic Education Scholarship at St. John the Baptist School in Kenmore. Established in 2014, this scholarship honors Ken-Ton resident Mary Kirwan, who founded the school's Annual Scholarship Dinner...and Golf Outing. This unique scholarship is awarded to middle school students at St. John's Kenmore who emulate Kirwan's commitment to excellence, leadership, faith and service within a Catholic framework. 

Seventh graders John Conor Tooley, Divjyot Kaur, and Benjamin Spillman were each recipients of a $1,000 scholarship for the upcoming 2020-21 school year. The awards were announced during a virtual 'end-of-year prayer service' during which Pastor Michael Parker honored the three students. Each year, students are nominated by the faculty for their academic achievements and distinguished service. The process was completed virtually this year due to the pandemic; candidates underwent ZOOM interviews and applications were then evaluated remotely by a selection committee. The endowed scholarship fund was established as a result of the continued success of the Annual Dinner/Golf Outing for more than a decade.

The Annual Scholarship Dinner...and Golf Outing has been hosted each September since its inception. This year unfortunately, the event has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "These are unprecedented times, which led us to the difficult decision to cancel," says Michelle Salemi, Director of Advancement. "I am humbled by many of our loyal patrons who reached out to support St. John's when they heard our event was cancelled...all proceeds stay here and will provide tuition assistance for our families. I'm truly grateful, especially this year." Donations for this event are being accepted at www.stjohnskenmore.com or contacting msalemi@stjohnskenmore.com.