by Elizabeth Larsen.

June 24, 2026: As New York sports fans prepared for Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 10, excitement was also building at Siwanoy Country Club, where nearly 300 members of the Destination: College community gathered to celebrate the organization's 20th Anniversary.

The evening honored four individuals who have been Champions of the organization since its earliest days: Emily Kirschenbaum, Rick Rugani, Tracy McVey, and Maureen Barton. The room was filled with Destination: College staff, board members, students, alumni, volunteers, school and district leaders, and supporters, all coming together to celebrate two decades of helping Mount Vernon student-athletes achieve success beyond high school.

One of the evening’s highlights was a panel discussion moderated by Emmy Award-winning journalist Mary Civiello. Each of the honorees was joined by Destination: College alumni or students whose lives have been shaped by their support and mentorship. Emily Kirschenbaum was joined by Mike Coburn and Tyrus Lee, Rick Rugani by Greg Calixte, Tracy McVey by Mbaba Sow, and Maureen Barton by Mark Cole and Taylor Bennett. Throughout the panel discussion, a common theme emerged: while Destination: College was founded to help students reach college, the relationships formed through the program have had an equally profound impact on the volunteers and mentors who have devoted their time to its mission. 

“The impact of the volunteers and the coaches in this room, there is no way to quantify it,” said alumnus Mbaba Sow. “There is no way to put it on a chart, there is no way for AI to run a model. There is truly no way to quantify it.” 

That sentiment was echoed by honoree Maureen Barton, who reflected on her own 20-year journey with the organization. “In these 20 years, I know that I have gotten so much more than I have given,” she said.

The evening also celebrated the accomplishments of Destination: College's current students and alumni. Twenty-five Cooney Scholarships were awarded to graduating student-athletes from Mount Vernon High School and STEAM Academy. Before presenting the scholarships, Director of College Programs Saskya Molina thanked the educators and volunteers who have invested in students throughout the year, noting that in return, students have demonstrated remarkable resilience, perseverance, and determination while offering "a glimpse of what our future can be." Additionally, three Go the Distance Scholarships were awarded to Destination: College alumni to support their continued educational pursuits. Recipients included Joel Okine, who is deciding between the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Duke University's Fuqua School of Business; Taylor Bennett, who is completing her degree at Howard University; and Jocelyne Dessande, who will attend the Accelerated BS to BSN Nursing Program at SUNY Brockport.

Reflecting on the organization's growth, Board Chair and President Nancy McKenna noted that Destination: College began in 2006 working with a single boys' basketball team and 12 volunteers. Today, the organization serves 154 high school students across 15 teams, supports 141 students in college, and is powered by 74 volunteers. Since 2013, more than $300,000 has been awarded through the Cooney Scholarship program. 

"We could not have achieved that success without partners," McKenna said, recognizing the coaches, volunteers, school and district administrators, guidance counselors, supporters, and students who have helped shape the organization over the past two decades.

As the evening came to a close, the affection and gratitude shared between students, alumni, volunteers, and supporters was palpable. Through the stories shared by longtime Champions, the reflections of alumni, and the turnout of nearly 300 supporters, the celebration highlighted the relationships that have been at the heart of Destination: College for the past 20 years. This milestone celebration served as a powerful reminder that Destination: College's greatest achievement is not only the number of students it has helped reach college, 
but also the enduring community that has grown alongside them.

See photos from this great evening below.