Scholarship in memory of young New York GAA player Kayla Rooney sends three students to college

A scholarship in memory of a 16-year-old girl who tragically passed away last year is sending three students to college. Kayla Rooney died suddenly from an underlying heart condition on July 5, 2023.

The New York GAA player was a student at Yonkers Montessori Academy and played camogie and Gaelic football for St. Brigid's LGFCC in the Bronx .

The young woman is survived by her father Michael, from Co Galway , mother Siobhán, from Co Clare , brother Jack, sister Sarah, grandparents, extended family and wide circle of friends.

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The Kayla Rooney Memorial Scholarship Fund raised over $36,000 in generous donations and the three recipients have been named as Krista Allen, Angelina Canale and Angelina Ramos. The scholars received the grant at their graduation ceremony on Tuesday. Michael and Siobhán accepted Kayla's graduation diploma on Kayla's behalf.

"We are so grateful for people's kind donations ," The Rooney family told IrishStar.com : "This is where their donations went and, through their generosity, has sent three students to college ."

The scholarship fundraiser started small through a volleyball tournament arranged by Kayla's sister Sarah and her friends. The idea grew arms and legs once the local community and loved ones got wind of it.

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Dr. Eileen E. Rivera, Principal, Yonkers Montessori Academy, said: "The scholarship had a hard time selecting just one student from amongst the impressive applications to receive the Kayla Rooney Memorial Scholarship.

"The committee met and agreed to award three students with the scholarship. The students were selected based on their commitment to the Yonkers Montessori Academy learning community, participation in sports and evidence of upholding the five pillars of a Montessori education - hard work, learning, respect, community and peace."

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Kayla's first anniversary mass will be held at St Barnabas Church in the Bronx on Friday, July 5 at 5pm. There will also be a mass held in Parteen Church, Co Clare, on Friday, July 5 at 10am.

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