UTICA, NY – The Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Community
Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties announced this year’s recipients of awards to
graduating seniors from high schools within the two counties.
The scholarships were based on academic and leadership qualities, with preference given to
those entering a medical profession, as well as those with athletic abilities and strength in
character. Twenty-four students graduating from 13 high schools plan to attend a wide range of
colleges and universities.
Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Academic Award for Oneida/Herkimer Counties
Alizay Meerub Bilal, Whitesboro High School, Lafayette College
Amira Abdelshafia, Thomas R. Proctor High School, University at Buffalo
Ellie Secor, Remsen Senior High School, University at Albany
Isabelle Seamon, Richfield Springs Central School, Mohawk Valley Community College
Lillian Bladek, Dolgeville High School, Amherst College
Luke Jadhon, New Hartford Senior High School, Boston College
Neeva Enigk, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Senior High School, Elmira College
Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Athletic/Character Award for Oneida/Herkimer Counties
Allison Denton, Mount Markham Senior High School, Mohawk Valley Community
College
Alyssa Capuana, Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School, St. Bonaventure University
Caitlyn Armendola, Town of Webb Union Free School District, Mohawk Valley
Community College
Chayse Fischer, Whitesboro High School, Daemen University
Evan Kocienda, Mount Markham Senior High School, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Keelyn Simpson, Thomas R. Proctor High School, SUNY College of Environmental
Science & Forestry
Marialaina Cooney, Rome Free Academy, Nazareth University
Joey R. Ventura Tradesman Award
Cooper Karram, West Canada Valley Senior High School, Mohawk Valley Community
College
Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Academic Award for Holland Patent Central School
District
Addison Snider, SUNY Morrisville
Annabella Schrader, Utica University
Claire Favata, Nazareth University
Nevaeh Lohnes, Mohawk Valley Community College
Teagyn Jones, Rochester Institute of Technology
Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Athletic/Character Award for Holland Patent Central
School District
Faith Zylinsky, SUNY Plattsburgh
Gideon Keawpinna, Mohawk Valley Community College
Kaiden Whaley, Paul Smiths College
Madeline Snider, SUNY Cobleskill
The scholarship fund was established in memory of Connor, a 2017 Holland Patent Central
School District graduate and pre-med student whose life was tragically taken by a drunk driver
on August 11, 2018. The scholarship fund aims to keep his memory alive and help medical and
high school students to further their education. In 2022, the “Joey R. Ventura Tradesman
Award” was added in memory of Joey, who was an accomplished local welding instructor who
passed away unexpectedly in 2021.
Since the fund’s creation in 2018, it has awarded over $92,000 to students enrolled in colleges,
universities, and certificate programs, as well as additional awards to students enrolled in the
Upstate College of Medicine Early Assurance Program, with an emphasis on assisting students
in the Rural Medical Doctor program. Connor was enrolled in this Upstate program and planned
to become a rural doctor. In 2022, the scholarship fund partnered with the Community
Foundation to grant the high school awards in his honor. “As a family, our goal is to keep Connor’s memory alive for years to come through these memorial awards,” explained Connor’s uncle, Don Lynskey. “The mission of ‘Connor’s Way’ is
to financially assist students with values and characteristics similar to Connor’s through these
scholarships. We are striving to raise the funds to establish long-term endowments at both the
Community Foundation and at Upstate Medical University to continue these memorial award
programs in perpetuity.”
The scholarship program is funded by the annual Connor’s Way 5-Mile Scenic Memorial
Run/Walk in Hinckley, which follows the route that Connor routinely ran. The 9th annual
Run/Walk will take place on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Participants that register by
September 4, will receive a t-shirt included in the cost of registration. This year’s event will also
include a free Kids’ Half Mile Fun Run, sponsored by Bruce F. Daniels, P.C. Registration and
sponsorship details are available at connorsway.com. “Connor’s Way is a unique 5-mile run and walk in the foothills of the Adirondacks that features beautiful, wooded terrain on the course that Connor loved to run,” said Lynskey. “We are proud
to continue this annual event in memory of him.”
For more information on the Connor Arthur Lynskey Memorial Scholarship Fund, visit
foundationhoc.org/connor.
CONTACT:
Tiffany Thomason, Public Relations Coordinator
tthomason@foundationhoc.org
315-731-3726
Connor Arthur Lynskey, 1999-2018
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Founded in 1952, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties envisions a vibrant
region with opportunity for all. In fulfillment of its “Engage. Invest. Lead” mission, the Community
Foundation has transformed decades of donor generosity into $150 million invested in social impact
initiatives, collaborative leadership and grantmaking. Find out more at foundationhoc.org.
