Scholarship Speech

Good evening, my name is Nathan DelVecchio and I am entering
my senior year at Aquinas. I have gone to Catholic school my entire life
and I am a proud member of the Aquinas student body. This past school
year, I received the Kevin P. Lynd class of 1980 Memorial Scholarship
Award. This is one of the most honorable scholarships an Aquinas
student can receive, gifting the recipient a full year’s tuition for senior
year. It has truly been a culmination of previous scholarships and
financial aid that I have received. These contributions have helped me
thrive as a growing young adult inside and outside of the classroom.
Through my example today, I hope to convey the feelings of all Aquinas
students and graduates affected by scholarship and aid contributions.

I would like to begin by telling you a little bit more about myself.
Currently, I am the Vice President of executive student council, Co-
president of the DECA Business club, a goalie on the Varsity lacrosse
team, and a responsible and caring citizen in my community. I recently
was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. Despite having to overcome
medical obstacles, I have risen to the top of my class academically, work
hard day in and day out to accomplish my goals, and volunteer my time
to others. I often attribute these successes to my catholic education at
Aquinas, a blessing that many do not have the good fortune to enjoy.

Ultimately, there are many current students and graduates who
have been able to succeed by using the values of Goodness, Discipline,
and Knowledge instilled in them by Aquinas. This would not be true if
it were not for people such as those here tonight. Without question, the
number of students able to attend Aquinas would be much lower without
generous donors, financial aid, and scholarship contributions. The hard
work that you do to make an Aquinas education more accessible truly
makes a difference to the families and students it reaches out to. For
myself, as my parents committed to sending me to Aquinas, I committed

to applying for as many scholarships as I could and bettering myself in
the classroom. Once a year, my parents and I would sit down and plan
out timelines for me to fill out my applications for various scholarships
in order to lessen the financial stress of tuition. Receiving the Kevin P.
Lynd Memorial Scholarship this past June was one of my proudest
scholarship experiences. The look of love and relief on my parent’s
faces was something I will never forget as we sat at the scholarship
dinner. After my name was called and I sat back down I think they gave
me the warmest hug I have ever experienced. But, whether I was
awarded all of the scholarships I applied for or none of them, I planned
to get the full value of my Aquinas education and use it to better myself
as a responsible and caring citizen. With the help of teachers and
administration who helped me develop habits of hard work and
determination, I have steadily risen through the academic ranks and
grown as a member of the community. None of this personal growth
experienced by myself would be possible without your contributions to
my Aquinas education.

One day, I plan on being on the other side of this speech as an
active member of the Aquinas family and one that helps others receive
the benefits that I am so grateful to realize. As for my future my goals,
they lie in the medical field, where I one day hope to use my experiences
at Aquinas to become a doctor and help others. I frequently thank my
parents for sending me to Aquinas, along with many of my fellow
classmates I am sure. It truly has been a gift. I would like to express my
gratitude to you for all you do, and for spreading the Aquinas tradition to
all of those that deserve it. Thank you.