Congratulations to our 2022 Scholarship Recipients, Colin McGee,  Margaret Kiely and Josh Eriaku. Colin, Margaret and Josh have stellar academic records and fill their free time with academic clubs, sports, and community service.

Colin McGee - Salesian High School (Irish Heritage Scholarship Recipient)a new graduate of Salesian High School with a current GPA of 96%, Colin will be attending Iona College in the fall to study Communications/Journalism. His grandparents immigrated to the US in the 1960's from Ireland and instilled strong Irish roots in Colin that he is proud of and cherishes. (His grandmother cooked all sorts of Irish foods and Colin still enjoys eating Irish food today!) He played Gaelic football as a youngster and has been heavily involved with volunteering at the Aisling Irish Center. Amongst other things, he helps make and pack sandwiches for the homeless at the Center. In the future, he would like to continue his Irish traditions by sharing his knowledge of the cuisine and the volunteerism with his college classmates and beyond.

Margaret (Maggie) Kiely - The Ursuline School (Irish Heritage Scholarship Recipient) a new graduate of The Ursuline School with a 4.67 GPA (out of 5), Maggie will be attending Villanova University in the fall and will be majoring in Communications. Maggie was raised in an Irish household as her grandparents immigrated to the US from Ireland. As a child she played Gaelic football, camogie and participated in Irish dance. She joined the Gaelic Society as a freshman in high school, but it was a poorly attended club and fizzled out shortly thereafter due to Covid.  But by her senior year, she had resurrected the Gaelic Society by stepping in as president and has increased the membership to over 50 members to date. (At the beginning of each meeting, she teaches the group three Gaelic words!). She plans on spreading her Irish identity by taking classes on Irish language and Irish studies.

Josh Eriaku – Mamaroneck High School (Marshal Mohr Scholarship Recipient)

a new graduate of Mamaroneck High School, Josh will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall and will be majoring in Computer Science. Josh and his family moved to the US from Uganda in the beginning of Josh's freshman year in 2018. They were seeking asylum in the US by fleeing persecution for their political beliefs and human rights activism.  Josh only had 4 years of formal schooling prior to coming to Mamaroneck.  By his senior year in high school, he held a GPA of over 90! He is a dedicated and diligent student and is currently 'paying it forward' by using his skills to help others locally and globally to help better their lives.

The parade committee and 2022 parade co-Grand Marshals Kate Bialo and Joe Durney along with 2023 Grand Marshal, Tony O’Callaghan officially presented these deserving students with their scholarships at the Sedona Taphouse in Mamaroneck, NY.  

$46,000 in scholarships has been awarded in a tradition that began with the first Sound Shore St. Patrick's Day Parade. "Our aim has always been two things”, said Parade President Joe Mauro, “To organize a great parade event for the Sound Shore community and provide for scholarships for deserving students. We’re grateful for the opportunity to make a small difference in these admirable young people’s lives.”

The Soundshore St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a celebration of Irish-American heritage and the American immigrant experience for the entire Sound Shore community, from Port Chester to Pelham, marching down Mamaroneck Avenue through the village of Mamaroneck to Harbor Island, the best place to march in a St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebration this side of Dublin City.

For more information on how you and your organization can march in the parade, donate to the Parade Scholarship Fund or join us for the annual golf outing on September 29th, 2022, please visit www.soundshoreparade.com.

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