June 15, 2011:  It is always a challenge to find a meaningful way to do something in memory of a family member or friend who has passed away.

Last year, when at the annual Bronxville High School awards ceremony in June, where various students in 11th and 12th grade are recognized each year for achievements, a thought came to Mariellen Sullivan Carpenter and John Knox to create an award in memory of their 1980 high school classmate Ellen O'Toole D'Arcy, who died at the age of 45 after a long illness.

Mariellen and John wanted to design something that would keep Ellen's spirit alive in the hallways of the school where she made such a difference as an athlete, a class leader, an artist, and an inspirational spirit.  They set out to create an award in Ellen's memory that would make people think of and envision her each year, with the hope that the recipient would embody many of Ellen's strongest attributes.

The result was the Ellen O'Toole D'Arcy Award.  The award will be given to a high school senior who plays on two varsity sports teams and has consistently shown self-sacrifice and commitment to his or her school community.  The award recipient will be chosen each year by a school committee that consists of faculty and administrators.

In order to make this award special and meaningful, Mariellen and John wanted it to contain a scholarship component to be given to the recipient that would go towards his or her college tuition.  They reached out to classmates, Bronxville friends, and many of Ellen's friends to raise sufficient funds to endow the award.  They received a wonderful response and are well on their way toward being fully funded.

They are thrilled to have the scholarship in place and to see Lara Florek become the first recipient.  Lara is a terrific example of what Ellen stood for in her days as a student at the Bronxville School.  Lara was captain of both the girls' field hockey and lacrosse teams this year, she is a highly accomplished artist and a co-editor of the yearbook, and she has been a positive contributor to the life of the high school.  Ellen would have been proud and honored to know Lara and to see her win this award.

While the first award has now been given, it is not too late to contribute.  If you are interested in donating to the scholarship fund in memory of Ellen, please email Mariellen Carpenter at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Pictured here:  Bronxville senior Lara Florek, winner of the new Ellen O'Toole D'Arcy award.