Gaston awarded Ken Waldie Memorial Scholarship
Lily Gaston was presented the Ken Waldie Memorial Scholarship by Frank DelPercio, representing the organization established after Sept. 11, 2001 to pay tribute to the fallen Bethel Park High School graduate. Gaston is pictured with her parents Megan and Matt.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Lily Gaston (35) was an all-star soccer player at Bethel Park High School. She is continuing her athletic career at Johns Hopkins University.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Lily Gaston drives against Eva Blatz during a one-on-one drill at a Bethel Park soccer practice. Gaston earned All-WPIAL and all-section honors in her career and parlayed her talents into an athletic scholarship to Johns Hopkins University.
Before picking up her diploma, Lily Gaston added another academic honor to her collection.
The 2022 Bethel Park High School graduate, who excelled in soccer, pocketed a $12,500 check as the recipient of the Ken Waldie Memorial Scholarship.
“Lily was a soccer player and student extraordinaire,” said Steve McGinnis, who helped establish the memorial fund with three other classmates as a tribute to the BP hero tragically killed on Sept. 11, 2001. (See sidebar story.)
McGinnis added that Gaston’s essay on friendship was an outstanding piece. The written portion of the application is one of the requirements in the selection process in addition to athletics, academics and social endeavors.
As a midfielder, Gaston ranked as one of the team’s top scorers. She earned All-WPIAL and all-section acclaim as well as four varsity letters while leading the Lady Hawks consecutive playoff appearances.
Gaston also captained the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Development Academy of the ECNL, a national developmental league for elite girls soccer prospects.
Gaston will continue her career at Johns Hopkins University. She plans to major in international studies as well as public health studies.
She graduated as one of BP’s highest performers educationally. She carried a 4.574 GPA and was recognized as a National Merit Scholarship finalist, which placed her in the top one percent of all American high school students.
Additionally, she was an AP Scholar with Distinction. She scored a 3 or higher on at least five AP exams as well as had a minimum AP average of at least 3.5.
Gaston was a National Honor Society member. In fact, she claimed one of the NHS scholarships to go along with the National Math and Science Initiative Star Awards for her post-scholastic studies.
Gaston was recognized as a Student of the Month by the Bethel Park Rotary Club and awarded the Ben Franklin PTO scholarship.
Gaston is musically inclined. She plays the cello. She was a member of the school’s chamber orchestra.
Additionally, Gaston served as the vice president of NHS and as the presidential advisor of the Student Government Association. She served as a Class Marshall and worked as a youth soccer referee and coordinator.
Outside of the school setting, Gaston was and continues to be passionate about advocacy, volunteerism and social justice issues. She was part of the leadership council of an organization called GirlGov, a subsidiary of the Women & Girls Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Gaston has volunteered as a youth soccer camp counselor and served as a math and science tutor. She also volunteer at Spartan Pharmacy Covid-19 vaccine clinics.
She is the daughter of Megan and Matt Gaston. She has three younger siblings: Henry, 15, Charlotte, 13, and Annabelle, 11.
Ken Waldie 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 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 $154,500 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 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.
McGinnis, DelPercio and Crump remain friends and in touch with the Waldie family. In fact, McGinnis just golfed with his brother, Jack, and brother-in-law, Brion, and had dinner with Jane and Grace.
“They’re still part of our lives and we are keeping Ken’s friendship alive.
“Who would have imagined our successful run,” McGinnis continued. “It seems like we made so many correct or proper steps at the right time-like Ken was guiding us through the process. We had so many outstanding people offer their time, support and resources over the years.
“We did it the way. We set out-never compromising our values or integrity while helping dozens of students and families. It has also allowed us to stay in contact with classmates from almost 50 years ago on a regular basis.
Visit: www.forukenny.com for more information on the scholarship or to submit an application for next year’s award.