The Western Property Owners Association (WPOA) established its high school scholarship program 14 years ago, granting its first scholarship in 2002. Over the years, the program has assisted deserving western section students, who’ve combined academic efforts with volunteer community service, as they continue their education.
Kerry McCarraher, daughter of Barry and Mary McCarraher, is the WPOA 2016 scholarship winner. McCarraher is a member of the National Honor Society and World Language Honor Society. She has volunteered for many years at St. Anne’s Respite Program and Wyandanch Outreach Center. McCarraher also serves as class secretary and president of the Girls Athletic Association.
McCarraher also contributed to a very successful basketball and golf program at Garden City High School. Athletic accomplishments for this Lady Trojan started in her freshmen basketball season, when she was a valued starting player on the Nassau County Championship team. Over the last three basketball seasons, McCarraher has continued her unselfish play assisting the girls varsity season deep runs into the county playoffs. On the golf team, she became the first player in Nassau County girls golf history to hit a hole-in-one in match play and also tied the school record with a 35 round a day later. McCarraher was co-captain of this year’s team and was selected to the All-County team.
McCarraher will attend Villanova University in the fall following her grandfather Edward M. Kelly’s footsteps.
This year, the WPOA dedicated the scholarship in memory of its recent past presidents Tom Whalen, John F. Traxler and Paul J. Muscarella, in recognition of their years of service to the WPOA and the Village of Garden City.
—Submitted by the Western Property Owners Association
