Andrew McMorris Foundation Hosts Awards Ceremony for 2026 Scholarship and Grant Recipients
The Andrew McMorris Foundation proudly celebrated its 2026 Scholarship & Grant recipients during our annual Awards Ceremony at the McMorris Lodge at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp.
This year's scholarship season was one of our largest yet. We were honored to receive more than 200 applications from students across the country and ultimately recognize 75 graduating high school seniors from 35 school districts nationwide, along with recipients of our Aviation, Fine Arts, Scouting, and Shoreham-Wading River Spirit Awards.
2026 By the Numbers
200+ scholarship applications received
75 High School Senior Scholarships awarded across 35 school districts nationwide
7 Grants: 2 Aviation Grants, 2 Eagle Scout Grants, and 3 Fine Arts Grants
2 Shoreham-Wading River 8th Grade Spirit Awards
More than $41,000 awarded through our 2026 Scholarship & Grant Program
Each award represents much more than financial support. It gives us another opportunity to share Andrew's story with the graduating Class of 2026 and to recognize young people who demonstrate the qualities that meant so much to him and continue to guide our mission.
None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, supporters, volunteers, and friends who continue to believe in the work of the Andrew McMorris Foundation.
Celebrating Our Recipients
Our annual Awards Ceremony brought together recipients, families, volunteers, board members, and friends of AMF for a special luncheon celebrating this year's honorees.
A huge thank you to Gabby and Doug from InFocus for capturing the day in photographs; Amanda Vega and Robert Young of Zest Gourmet Catering for providing our awards luncheon; and Chase Hill of North Shore Party Rentals for providing our tent and tables.
We are also incredibly grateful to Jim Grimaldi and the staff of Baiting Hollow Scout Camp for helping us once again make the McMorris Lodge such a meaningful place to gather and celebrate these remarkable students.
And, as always, we could not do any of this without our volunteers and board members. Special thanks to Lou Parinello, Ryan Howell, Chris DiPaola, Anthony J. Higgins and all of our amazing AMF Board members, along with a warm welcome and thank you to our newest members, Sofia Morano and Kathy Yakaboski.
Thank You to Our Scholarship Committee
Behind every scholarship is an extraordinary amount of work.
Our Scholarship Committee members volunteer countless hours reading applications and essays, reviewing accomplishments, discussing nominees, and making the incredibly difficult decisions that determine our recipients.
With more than 200 applications this year, that responsibility was greater than ever.
A very special thank you to our Scholarship Coordinators, Kathy Yakaboski and John McMorris, and to our committee members, who represent six different states and generously donate their time, thoughtfulness, compassion, and hearts to this process:
Dawn Schaefer, Kim DiPaola, Matt & Julianne Licari, Desi & Mitch Meyer, Marianne & Chris McMorris, Heather & Chris Abatelli, Kathryn Yakaboski, Dr. Monica Srodon, Stephen Canter, Anne Delp, Lou Parinello, Eric DiLisio, Anthony J. Higgins, and Ryan Howell.
Thank you for carefully considering each applicant and for helping us honor Andrew's legacy through the students we support.
Thank You to Our AMF Ambassadors
Our scholarship season extends far beyond our annual ceremony. Awards are presented at schools and in communities near and far, and since John and Alisa still haven't figured out how to be in multiple places at once, we are incredibly grateful for our AMF Ambassadors who step in to represent the Foundation and make sure our recipients feel personally celebrated and recognized.
Thank you to:
Chris & Marianne McMorris, Maureen Connolly, Jon Spector, Kathy Yakaboski, Brendan Ahern, Kimet Speed, Matt Licari, John McHugh, and Dave & Eric Goldberg.
You represent Andrew and our Foundation beautifully, and we are grateful each time you stand in our place to present an award, shake a student's hand, share Andrew's story, and remind another community why this work matters.
Continuing Andrew's Legacy
As our 2026 Scholarship & Grant season comes to a close, we are filled with gratitude.
What began as a way to honor Andrew has grown into an opportunity each year to invest in young people across the country while continuing to share his life and his story with a new graduating class.
The impact of the Andrew McMorris Foundation is only possible because of the people who generously give their time, talents, resources, and hearts to this mission.
To our donors, Scholarship Committee, AMF Ambassadors, Board members, volunteers, community partners, recipients, and families: thank you.
Thank you for helping us honor Andrew's life, support deserving young people, and continue building a legacy of hope, purpose, and positive change.
