Support Our Scholarships

The fund was created in memory of Warren Sydney Albrittain ’83 by members of the Albrittain family and Syd’s classmates and friends. The Warren Sydney Albrittain Facilities Endowed Fund is as a permanent tribute to Syd’s vision of modern learning spaces for current and future O’Connell Knights.

An O'Connell alumnus from the Class of 1968 has made possible through an anonymous leadership gift, the endowment of the Alumni Scholarship Fund in honor of Dr. Joseph E. Vorbach '83, principal (2008-12), head of school (2013-19), and currently superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Arlington. The Alumni Scholarship Fund was initially established with a reunion gift from the Class of 1967. The scholarship is awarded to a legacy student who exemplifies the qualities of an O'Connell Knight: courage, purity, honesty, diligence, loyalty, humility, charity, and faith.

In the spring of 2021, the Bilaniuk Family, Ivan, Andrea, and Peter ’25, established the Andriko Bilaniuk ‘22 Memorial Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship was made possible both by the vision of Mr. Timothy LaCrosse, Performing Arts Department Chair (2019-present), who organized and hosted an eleven-hour virtual memorial benefit concert, and numerous other generous donors. The scholarship honors the memory and legacy of Andriko, who passed away from cancer following his sophomore year in July 2020. This scholarship is awarded annually to a rising junior who shows both a keen interest in strings or other instrumental music, and philosophy, as demonstrated in/through the student’s religion, literature, and/or history classes. The student must be committed to actively performing in a Bishop O’Connell instrumental ensemble.

Mr. Robert E. Carpenter established the scholarship in memory of his beloved wife Jean M. Carpenter, the mother of three O’Connell alumni. The scholarship award is for students from St. John the Beloved Parish or school who take a serious approach to their studies, actively practice their Catholic faith, and perform selfless acts of generosity, charity, and kindness. 

The scholarship, established in 1997, honors the memory of Mr. Joe Connolly, a beloved math and physics teacher, and coach who served O’Connell students for 31 years. The scholarship is for practicing Catholic students who works to their potential.

Mrs. Margaret McNerney established scholarship in memory of her dear friend Mrs. Wilda Gazik. The scholarship award is for students from St. Anthony of Padua Parish or school who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and citizenship and diligently practice their Catholic faith.

Alec Henry established the John and Catherine Henry Endowed Scholarship in memory of his father, John, and in honor of his mother, Catherine, a former English teacher at O'Connell. The school awards this scholarship to a rising 9th grader who has demonstrated in middle school the combination of a serious approach to academics, a willingness to take on leadership responsibilities, and a genuine concern for others.

The Kammerer family established the Maureen Kane Kammerer Creative Writing Endowed Scholarship was established by the Kammerer family – Joseph, her husband, and their children, Eric J. Kammerer ’83 and Michelle Kammerer Fauntleroy ’84 - in honor of their mother, Maureen, a former English teacher and moderator of the student literary magazine, Largesse at Bishop O'Connell from 1978 – 1985. Under Mrs. Kammerer's stewardship, Largesse won an award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The scholarship is awarded to a rising senior, junior or sophomore author of a creative writing piece judged to be the best entry of the academic year.

The McMahon family established scholarship to recognize and pay tribute to the interest in Catholic education professed by Monsignor John J. McMahon, a priest, and educator in the Diocese of Arlington. The scholarship recipient shows an exemplary commitment to the Catholic faith and a desire to attend Bishop O'Connell High School. The hope is that the recipients will be encouraged to return similar benefactions to others as they realize the material and spiritual rewards that a Catholic education can and will bring to their lives.

Robert J. Murphy Jr. '67 and his family established a scholarship in memory of their mother, Mrs. Elizabeth K. Murphy, who was a beloved math teacher at O'Connell. More recently, the family has made possible through leadership gifts, the awarding of two annual scholarships and retitled it as the Robert J. and Elizabeth K. Murphy Family Endowed Scholarships. The scholarships are awarded to students who excel in Math and service to their community.

The Reing and Musgrove families established the scholarship in memory of beloved former O'Connell science teacher and alumna Jeanine Reing Musgrove '92. The scholarship is for an upper-class student of character who demonstrates a strong aptitude for science. 

The scholarship is for students who receive Expanded Services to access Catholic education in an inclusive high school environment. 

The Rabe Family Inclusive Education Endowed Scholarship 

This scholarship is intended for students who receive Expanded Services to more easily access Catholic education in an inclusive high school environment.

Established in 2019 with an estate gift, scholarship is for freshmen students who take a serious approach to their studies and plan to participate on one of the school’s athletic teams. 

An anonymous classmate and teammate established this scholarship to commemorate the lives of friends and teammates Tim Stewart ’62, John Whitehead ’61, and Dave Winters ’62. In the words of Thomas Aquinas, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” Students may apply for the scholarship in the spring of their junior year by submitting a thoughtful, well-crafted essay on friendship, family, and service. The goal is for young minds to ponder how their lives are improved through lifelong friendships and bright futures made possible by Catholic education. Classmates of Tim, John, and Dave are invited to send memories of their friends to alumni@bishopoconnell.org. 

Learn more about the scholarship by clicking here.

Dr. Michael and Mrs. Janet Ball established the scholarship in memory of Patricia Ball Vanbelleghem, ’86 who lost her courageous battle with melanoma in 2013. Trish was one of six siblings who attended O’Connell. She was an elementary school teacher, an avid runner, and a volunteer, but her most cherished role was mother to Daniel, Kathryn ’20, and Elizabeth ’22. 

RADM Joseph Vorbach, USCG (ret) and his children Frances Vorbach Babashak '82, Joseph E. Vorbach, III '83, Emily Vorbach Gretz and Justin Vorbach '87 established the Alice Gordon Vorbach Studio Arts Endowed Scholarship in memory of their beloved wife and mother, Alice Gordon Vorbach, a dedicated religious educator and talented artist. The school awards the scholarship to a student who excels in the visual arts.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Vernon Ballard established the Ballard Scholarship in 1993 in memory of their son, John Anthony Ballard '70. The school awards the scholarship to a rising 9th grader who has demonstrated both exceptional academic achievement and outstanding leadership ability.

The Board of Governors established the Barry Edward Breen Scholarship for the Visual and Performing Arts in honor of Barry Edward Breen, a passionate supporter of the visual and performing arts and former president of Bishop O'Connell from 2004-2010. The school awards the scholarship to two rising seniors (one boy/one girl) who demonstrate exceptional talent in the areas of visual or performing arts.

Amount: $9,000 per year, renewable for four years.

Eligibility: Incoming 9th grade students who score 99% on the National Composite of the HSPT who submit HSPT scores and admissions application no later than the annual January application deadline.

The school awards the De La Salle vocal music scholarship to two rising 9th grade students for outstanding vocal performance. To be eligible for this award, students must plan to register for a choral class in their freshman year.

The school award the De La Salle instrumental music scholarship to two rising 9th grade students for outstanding instrumental performance. To be eligible for this award, students must plan to register for a band, orchestra, piano, or guitar class in their freshman year.

U.S. Navy Capt. James Reeves and Dr. Sarah Bisch established the Rev. William Devine Military Scholarship to honor Father Bill Devine, a former Navy chaplain who served on the front lines in Iraq from 2003 to 2005. Fr. Devine currently serves as pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Bridgewater, Mass. The school awards the scholarship to rising 9th-grade student of an active duty member of the U.S. military who shows exemplary academic performance and leadership skills. It is renewable for four years as long as the student remains in good standing.

The Heishman family established the Henry Heishman Scholarship in memory of their beloved husband and father, Henry Heishman. The scholarship recognizes a rising senior with leadership skills who is humble, hardworking, respectful, active in extracurricular activities and shows a willingness to contribute to the school community.

Amount: $1,000 for freshman year.

Eligibility: Principal/Pastor from Diocesan schools may identify one incoming 9th grade student in each of the three categories--leadership, service, personal growth--to receive their school's  I.H.M. Legacy Awards at Bishop O'Connell High School. Nominations must be received by annual January application deadline.

Eligibility: Incoming 9th grade students who score between 95% and 98% on the National Composite of the HSPT.

Amount based on HSPT score. Scholarship awards are per year, renewable for four years.

How to Apply: Submit HSPT scores and admissions application no later than annual January application deadline.

Dennis McFaden, a former faculty member and O’Connell alumnus from the Class of 1966, established this scholarship in memory of his parents to honor their sacrifices for Catholic education. This renewable scholarship is for students who take a serious approach to their studies and stay in good academic standing.

The McMurtrie family established the Monsignor James W. McMurtrie Scholarship in memory of their brother, Monsignor James W. McMurtrie, who was a priest in the Diocese of Arlington, principal of Bishop O'Connell High School from 1972-1977, and chairman of the Board of Governors from 1986-2002. The school awards the scholarship to a Catholic student from the Diocese of Arlington.

The school established the O'Donnell Family "Making a Difference Award in honor of the O'Donnell family. Maura O'Donnell and her siblings inspired the creation of Superdance to raise money to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. This school awards this scholarship to a rising 9th grader who has made a difference in their community by going above and beyond to help those in need.

Anne Schaffner and her children, Rachael Georgopoulos Schaffner '00 and Joseph M. Schaffner '05 established the Schaffner Family Scholarship in memory of their beloved husband and father, Joseph G. Schaffner. The school awards the scholarship to a rising 9th grader who demonstrates keen interest and aptitude in math and science.

In 1965, a bequest from the estate of Colonel C.A. Seoane established the Colonel C.A. Seoane Award. Students are eligible to receive monetary awards in an essay writing contest with the prompt “Why I like being an American citizen."

The "Spirit of O'Connell" Award honors the memory of Bishop O'Connell's beloved football coach, Steve Trimble, who passed into eternal life in 2011. This award recognizes a rising senior who exemplifies the character qualities of Coach Trimble: personal humility, empathy, agility, responsibility and tenacity (H.E.A.R.T). Coach Trimble embodied H.E.A.R.T throughout his life as a college and pro football player, teacher, coach, mentor and father to four O'Connell alumni. His motto was "Make Something Happen."

The recipient of this award is a rising senior who represents the ideals of a Catholic-based education, highlighting leadership and the development of the whole person through superior academic performance, outstanding citizenship, and commitment to faith and service.

An anonymous donor established the Cindy Walls Scholarship in honor of Bishop O'Connell cross country coach, Cindy Walls. This scholarship is awarded to a member of the boys or girls cross country team who possesses the range of qualities which Coach Walls affirms through her coaching philosophy. The recipient is a runner dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the classroom and athletic competition, who consistently supports their teammates and coaches, honorably represents Bishop O'Connell, looks for ways to serve the community, and is a willing, able, and capable leader.

Mrs. Dolores Owens established this scholarship in memory of her cousin, Margaret Lorraine Weedon, a champion of Catholic education. The scholarship is for students from St. Agnes Parish or school who take a serious approach to their studies and are active in practicing their Catholic faith.