Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation Announces 2014 Scholarship Recipients

NEW YORK, Sept. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation, a program that has raised more than $4.6 million to provide college scholarships to children of firefighters and victims of the September 11 attacks as well as other U.S. disasters, today announced its 2014 grant recipients. Among the 21 new recipients are 5 students who lost a parent on 9/11; the others are children of active or retired New York City firefighters.

The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation began in response to a terrible tragedy; the loss of Michael Lynch – a son, brother, fiance, uncle and New York City firefighter who sacrificed his own life on 9/11 in an effort to save others. Facing the ultimate loss, the Lynch family saw an opportunity to help finance the education of young people as a living tribute to the human spirit and the family's collective resolve to respond to adversity with courage, strength, compassion and hope. The goal of the Foundation is to provide the means to help change the world, one person at a time, by helping the students of today become tomorrow's stewards of peace and freedom.

The awards, which this year totaled more than $600,000, are given to students who have demonstrated academic excellence, participated actively in school programs and athletics, and contributed selflessly to their communities. For example:

• Sean Egan, son of FDNY Captain Martin Egan, who perished on 9/11, is a stellar student whose accomplishments include serving as Founder/President of Hearing our Heroes veteran's organization and assisting with the Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity. In his application, Sean wrote, "A grant in memory of Michael Lynch is also a responsibility. A grant will be another reminder to me to live in the spirit that gave my father, Captain Martin J. Egan Jr., Michael, and their 341 brothers the courage to run into those towers, the spirit of selfless service to others."
• Meaghan Harris, the eldest of five children and whose father Joseph is an active FDNY firefighter. She is active in competitive dance, was President of the Seton Foundation, coaches elementary students how to swim, and is a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. In her application, Meghan wrote, "Firefighters, like my father, uncle, and Michael Lynch who live every day to serve others inspire me every day with their courage and determination. They know how to change lives. I can learn and have already learned a multitude of lessons on how to change lives. I know, with all the positive and memorable inspirations, that I grew up knowing I have the potential to be the teacher that changes lives. I have the power to make change."
• Jamie Waring, daughter of James Waring, who was Head of Security for Cantor Fitzgerald on 9/11. An outstanding student, captain of her dance team, a student ambassador and peer counselor, Jamie wrote in her application, "As head of security for Cantor Fitzgerald, it was apparent that keeping people safe was his priority. During the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, my dad helped 3 elderly women out of the smoke-filled building to safety. Thankfully, he returned home that night, covered entirely in soot. My dad's concern for the well-being of others combined with my love for science has inspired my passion for medicine."

"The 2014 scholarship recipients embody and reflect the spirit and aspirations of the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation," said John Lynch, President of the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation. "Each of them demonstrated they have the desire and aptitude to make the world a better place and to build a brighter and better future. We are proud to help them pursue their academic and professional goals and to honor the sacrifice and legacy that Michael and his firefighter brethren made on September 11."

This year's grant recipients are: Ryan Bonitz of Huntington, NY (Quinnipiac University); Katherine Broderick of New Fairfield, CT (The University of Scranton); Matthew Cavanaugh of Merrick, NY (Culinary Institute of America); Matthew Conboy of Middletown, NY (Mount Saint Mary College); Joan Crinnion of Stewart Manor, NY (The University of Scranton); Danielle Domini of Smithtown, NY (Wheaton University); Sean Egan of Staten Island, NY (Georgetown University); Dylan Garbarini of Pleasantville, NY (Saint Michael's College); Joseph Ginley of Warwick, NY (SUNY Maritime College); Meaghan Harris of Staten Island, NY (Saint Joseph's University); Kristen Hickey of New Hyde Park, NY (Salve Regina University); Joseph Kennedy of Brooklyn, NY (SUNY Cortland); Erin Melly of Oakdale, NY (Columbia University); Amanda Prenty of Mamaroneck, NY (Ithaca College); Alec Ruby of Islip, NY (LSU-Louisiana State University); Kaitlyn Solesky of Pearl River, NY (Bucknell University); James Stephen of Pearl River, NY (University of Maryland @ College Park); Maura Sullivan of Tappan, NY (Marist College); Sean Sullivan of Farmingdale, NY (Aldelphi University); Nicolette Vigiano of West Islip, NY (University of Delaware) and Jamie Waring of Bayside, NY (Quinnipiac University).

"It is striking that this year's group of recipients were so young on 9/11 and surely were unable to fully grasp the magnitude of the actions taken and personal sacrifices made on that day," said Jonathan Henes, a restructuring partner at Kirkland & Ellis who serves on the Board of Directors of the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation. "Yet, as they have grown, and guided by the example set by Michael Lynch and his fellow first-responders, they have demonstrated a sense of leadership, compassion and commitment that is inspiring."

To learn more about the scholarship program, or to make a donation to the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation, please visit www.mlynch.org.

SOURCE Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation