Bethel Park graduate earns Waldie Memorial Scholarship
Bethel Park High School graduate Ethan Donovan feels a connection with Ken Waldie because of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Donovan, 18, learned while making a video for an AP History project that Waldie, a Bethel Park graduate, was on the first plane that struck the World Trade Center in New York City during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and that his childhood friends and classmates instituted a memorial scholarship in his name.
Also as part of the lesson, Donovan discovered his father, Stephen, was supposed to be on a flight to New York City that same day.
“Thankfully he had surgery the day before,” Donovan said of his father. “He sent someone else in his place. Fortunately for them, they had a complication, too.”
Donovan said he applied for the Waldie Memorial Scholarship because he shared beliefs Waldie held, especially regarding character. His scholarship essay earned him a stipend which will enable him to pursue his academics at Boston College.
“Good character consists of compassion, integrity and tenacity,” Donovan wrote. “These components are what I strive to embody each day of my life. I see them most clearly in some of the best humans to have lived and the ones I look up to most.”
“After reading about Mr. Waldie, there is no doubt he possessed these characteristics,” Donovan added. “It would have truly been an honor to meet such an extraordinary and inspiring example of good character.”
Donovan, like Waldie, is passionate about sports. He was as tenacious in the classroom as he was in the field. He maintained a 4.53 GPA and excelled in soccer.
A four-year varsity letter winner, he played center midfielder for the Black Hawks. He led the team in assists and gained all-section acclaim his senior season.
Donovan also played club soccer for Century United and helped his teams win two state cup championships.
Donovan also possessed Waldie’s leadership abilities as he was voted captain of his soccer teams. He said he treasured the opportunity to lead his teammates.
“Communication is the biggest point of being a leader. To be able to clearly communicate ideas enables you to gain people’s trust and for you and them to be more productive,” he said.
Donovan also belonged to DECA club and Bethel Park’s debate team. In addition, he had an internship with a Canonsburg wealth management firm. He said he plans to pursue a career in finance.
“Sports combined with high school required great time management skills,” Donovan said. “You have to be organized and dedicated. I think that will carry over to college and into my career.”
Donovan said soccer has taught him resilience and that anything is possible. He recalled being eliminated from playoff contention but being but being able to knock off the No. 1 team during the regular season.
“Sports teaches you that where there is a will, there is a way. We weren’t going to let that team beat us,” he said.
Soccer, as a sport, honed Donovan’s spontaneity and flexibility. He said his greatest assets are having the “ability to shift the way a game is going” with a tackle or big play and “by motivating the team.”
Donovan was motivated to complete his senior season despite a worldwide pandemic. He was unable to participate in many extracurricular activities and saw how many of his friends lost their spring sports campaigns in 2020 because of COVID-19.
“It didn’t impact me too much. Fortunately, I remained healthy and am now vaccinated” he said, “We all learned a valuable lesson. Nothing is guaranteed.”
With the Waldie Memorial Scholarship award, Donovan will enjoy a four-year education. He is anxious to start the semester on Chestnut Hill Aug. 20.
“The last four years I have seen the same people every day and while I love my friends, I am looking forward to college and just meeting new people,” he said. “There will be a whole new group of people. I don’t know anyone from that area but I’m good with that.
“I’m also thankful for the scholarship. It’s great what Mr. Waldie’s friends are doing. Not just the amount of money but the memorial and promoting him as a person.”
Donovan said he believes more people of his generation should learn about Waldie’s life.
“His story is inspiring and that is why I wrote about character because it’s also an important part of who I am,” Donovan said. “I think those three main components I wrote about relate to each other and help build a person to be a success not just financially but with friends, family and life in general.”
Age: 18
Birthdate: Nov. 23
Parents: Stephen and Siobhan
Siblings: Stephen, Casey, Keelan
High School: Bethel Park
GPA: 4.53
Activities: Soccer
College: Boston College
Major: Finance
Color: Blue
Food: Pasta
Restaurant: Fiori’s on West Liberty Avenue
Book: Freak Economics
Movie: The Godfather
Athlete: Yaya Toure. “I liked his style of play. That’s why I wear the same number.”
Club: Manchester City
Car: I drive a Honda Civic but I would love to have a Mercedes Benz S. Class.
Dream destination: Switzerland. “It’s the perfect microcosm that earth can offer from the good weather to the good food.”
People might be surprised to know this about you: “I am a delivery driver for DoorDash. I like it. I enjoy driving.”
What life lesson has sports taught you? Where there is a will there is a way. “Two years ago, we were knocked out of the playoffs but we beat the No. 1 team. Nobody expected us to defeat them but us.”
Person like to have dinner with? Teddy Roosevelt. “I read a lot of books on him and I lied how he carried himself, how he interacted with others his drive in life to be successful and his character. He had a lot to offer and people looked up to him.”
Ken Walde Memorial Fund, Inc was established by the Friends of Waldie Organization as a tribute to the Bethel Park High School graduate, who was tragically killed on Sept. 11, 2001.
The group consists of classmates Steve McGinnis, Frank DelPercio, Terry Crump and Tom Etzel, To date, Waldie’s classmates have awarded more than $142,000 to distinguished seniors for their college pursuits. Additionally, they have contributed to The Almanac’s Waldie/Shaeffer Scholarship Award from 2002-2017.
Though the fund and scholarship will end after the award’s 25th year, the Friends of Waldie are pleased with their accomplishments.
“The results blow away any expectations that we had when we started this project,” said McGinnis, who is enjoying retirement life in Florida. “I felt confident that we would have a long run because there was a great group of classmates, community members and supporters. But I didn’t dare think that after our final award, we will have awarded over $220,000.”
Waldie, who was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11 that struck the first World Trade Center Tower, was a swimmer in high school and at the United States Naval Academy.
In addition to captaining the Black Hawks to their first ever WPIAL title under head coach Pat Campbell, Waldie was a leader outside the pool. He was voted class president each of his four years at the Naval Academy, something that had never been accomplished before at the tradition-rich institution.
After fulfilling his five-year military commitment, Waldie used his mathematics degree to gain employment with Raytheon Corporation. While working, he earned a masters degree and graduated first in his class.
Forty-six at the time of his death, Waldie left behind a wife, Carol, three sons, Andrew, Jeffrey and Jonathan, and a daughter, Meredith, along with a brother, Jack, and three sisters, Jane, Mary Louise and Grace.
Visit: www.forukenny.com for more information on the scholarship or to submit an application for next year’s award.