Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Scholarship Fund Announces 2024 Recipients

The Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Scholarship Fund announced this year’s recipients for awards to graduating seniors from high schools in Herkimer and Oneida counties. 
 
The scholarships were based on academic and leadership qualities, with preference given to those entering a medical profession, as well as athletic abilities and strength in character. Recipients graduating from thirteen high schools plan to attend a wide range of colleges and universities.
 
Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Academic Award

• Frank Calhoun, New York Mills Senior High School
• Teyla McVay, Rome Free Academy
• Katherine Mullen, Whitesboro High School
• Anthony Sawanec, Westmoreland High School
• Gabriella Schrader, West Canada Valley Senior High School
• Cosette Taylor, Town of Webb School District

Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Athletic/Character Award

• Allyson DePerno, Whitesboro High School
• Anna Kasperovich, Oriskany Senior High School
• Skyler McFadden, Clinton Senior High School
• Gaetano Nasci, Christian Brothers Academy
• Isabella Roberts, Notre Dame High School
• Brian Secor, Remsen Senior High School
• Hannah Smith, Whitesboro High School
• Xion Wilson, Frankfort-Schuyler Central High School

Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Academic Award for Holland Patent Central School District

• Moira Dowd
• Nadia Foley
• Terralyn McLaughlin
• Madeline Poynter
• Brooke Smith
• Hunter Walchusky

Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Athletic/Character Award for Holland Patent Central School District

• Holly Brown
• Madeline Cieslak
• Michaela Cushman
• Abigail Lighthall
• Kirsten Lighthall
• Brianna Mullins

The scholarship fund was established in memory of Connor, a 2017 Holland Patent Central School District graduate and pre-med student whose life was tragically taken by a drunk driver on August 11, 2018. The scholarship fund aims to keep his memory alive and help medical and high school students to further their education.

Since the fund’s creation in 2018, it has awarded over $65,000 to students enrolled in four-year institutions, as well as additional awards to students enrolled in the Upstate College of Medicine Early Assurance Program, with an emphasis on assisting students in the Rural Medical Doctor program. Connor was enrolled in this program and planned to become a rural doctor. In 2022, the scholarship fund partnered with the Community Foundation to grant these awards in his honor.
 
“As a family, our goal is to keep Connor’s memory alive for years to come through these memorial awards,” explained Connor’s uncle Don Lynskey. “The mission of ‘Connor’s Way’ is to financially assist students with values and characteristics similar to Connor’s through these scholarships. We are striving to raise the funds to establish long-term endowments at both the Community Foundation and at Upstate Medical University in order to continue these memorial awards programs in perpetuity.”
 
The scholarship program is funded by the annual Connor’s Way 5-Mile Scenic Memorial Run/Walk in Hinckley, which follows the route that Connor frequently ran. The 7th annual run/walk will take place on Sunday, September 15, 2024. Registration and sponsorship details are available at connorsway.com.
 
“Connor’s Way is a unique 5-mile run/walk in the foothills of the Adirondacks that features beautiful, wooded terrain on the course that Connor loved to run,” said Lynskey. “We are proud to continue this annual event in memory of Connor.”
 
For more information on the Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Scholarship Fund, please visit foundationhoc.org/connor.

Connor Arthur Lynskey, 1999-2018