Scholarship in memory of young New York GAA player who died suddenly will send students to college
A scholarship in memory of a young New York GAA player who died suddenly will send students at her former school to college.
Kayla Rooney died at the age of 16 on July 5, 2023. She was a student at Yonkers Montessori Academy and played camogie and Gaelic football for St. Brigid’s LGFCC in the Bronx.
She also learned Irish dancing at the Deirdre O’Mara School of Irish Dance and playing Gaelic football for Sperrin Ogs.
Kayla is survived by her father Michael, mother Siobhán, brother Jack, sister Sarah, grandparents, extended family and wide circle of friends.
The scholarship fund will help students at the school where Kayla attended go to college. Kayla’s sister and friends already raise some money for the fund through volleyball and basketball tournaments.
Kayla’s mother Siobhan said: “In memory of Kayla Rooney, her family and friends have decided to establish a scholarship fund in her name, to help some of her classmates with college expenses. Kayla expressed a lifelong dream to attend college.
“She had been so excited to start the process of applying to schools in the hope of perhaps receiving a scholarship of her own. Her family’s wish is that the raised funds should go to one of her classmates in the hope that it will help alleviate some of the expense of attending college.
“Kayla was a bright light to everybody that she met and she always encouraged her friends and peers to see the good in everything, and to be the best they could be.
“She put her heart and soul into everything she did and was so proud to be part of the Yonkers Montessori community, and in particular their basketball and volleyball teams.
Kayla Rooney.
“Her sister Sarah and her friends decided to raise funds through volleyball and basketball tournaments this year to carry on Kayla’s legacy through sport. We are hoping to add to the funds raised already by her sister Sarah and her many friends.
“We would greatly appreciate any small contribution to the fund which would help enormously in keeping our beautiful girls’ memory alive.”
Students at Yonkers Montessori Academy, where Kayla was a student, will be eligible for the scholarship.
Siobhan said: “All seniors at Yonkers Montessori will have the opportunity to submit a 200-word essay on the importance of belonging to and giving back to the community.
“Anybody who knew Kayla would describe her as a loyal and selfless friend. She had a laugh that would echo through any room and a warm and kind soul. We hope that this scholarship will ease the financial burden of attending college and at the same time, keep the memory of Kayla alive.”
The $10,000 target has already been exceeded. You can donate to the Kayla Rooney Memorial Scholarship Fund here.
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