Varley earns Waldie Memorial Scholarship
Even after his tragic death in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Ken Waldie survives.
Waldie lives on in a scholarship established by his Bethel Park High School friends: Terry Crump, Frank DelPercio and Tom Etzel. The classmates have awarded more than $154,000 to distinguished seniors for their college pursuits.
Waldie exists now in the heart of Lucas Varley. The 2023 BPHS graduate was this year’s recipient of the Ken Waldie Memorial Scholarship. Varley is using the $14,000-plus stipend to help offset tuition costs and supplies for his first year at the University of Pittsburgh. Varley is studying mechanical engineering.
“It’s an honor to have been chosen out of everybody,” Varley said. “This means a lot.
“If I ever got the chance to meet Mr. Waldie, I would want him to know how much he is still loved and what a big impact he has had on people, even me, and I didn’t even know him.”
At age 18, Varley was born after the Sept. 11 events where Waldie perished because he was passenger on American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to struck the World Trade Center.
Waldie would have liked Varley because of his commitment, courage and ambition.
Varley, like Waldie, was a leader in athletics and his activities.
While Waldie was a captain of his scholastic swim team that won a WPIAL title and a class president at the Naval Academy for four years, a feat never accomplished at the tradition-rich institution, Varley captained his soccer team to its first postseason appearance and playoff victory in nearly a decade.
A four-year letter winner, Varley also competed in track, throwing the javelin for two seasons after having tossed the shot and discus in middle school.
On a whim and the encouragement of his buddies Cody Hendrych-Bondor and Jake Zeminski, Varley started diving for the swim team as a freshman. He stuck with the activity for four years.
“Soccer definitely was my main sport. My friends dragged me into track and convinced me to dive because I was looking for a winter sport,” Varley explained.
“Though I had never done it before, I thought I’d give it a shot. When I walked down to pool and went to my first practice, I was very nervous. My first meet was very scary,” he added, “but diving ended up being some of the best times I ever had in high school.”
Varley enjoyed his days in the classroom. He maintained a 4.6 GPA and gained admittance into the National Honor Society as well as the Spanish NHS. He joined the Environmental Club and Best Buddies. He also played trombone in the marching band and symphonic band.
Of the activities, Varley said, “They helped me branch out and make friends. They also taught me how to manage my time with school. That set me up well for college.”
While he has been accepted into Pitt’s Honors College, Varley hopes to find time to pursue activities as he did in high school. He hopes to compete in one of the 6-on-6 soccer leagues at the university and perhaps join groups that promote community activism. At Bethel Park, he belonged to Team Leadership Core. He volunteered at church carnivals and participated in tree planting projects throughout the municipality.
“It’s always good to be involved,” Varley said. “It’s also a great way to meet new people.”
Through a memorial bench and plaque as well as his induction into the BP Hall of Fame, Varley has familiarized himself with Waldie. However, the scholarship has left a lasting impression upon Varley. He said the financial support was sufficient to pay off his first year’s expenses so that he can focus upon his studies.
“I can’t ever say how thankful I am. A lot of doors have been opened and I am looking forward to making the most of this opportunity. I’d like to think that I have some of Mr. Waldie’s leadership and determination in my. I want to be as motivated in life as he was with everything.”
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.
“Mr. Waldie was an incredible man and it’s always a good thing this time of year to remember and mourn the loved ones lost,” Varley said. “Sept. 11 is the one event when everybody in the United States comes together and can agree upon. Throughout my college career and my life though I will always remember Mr. Waldie.”
Ken Waldie 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 22 Bethel Park High School students 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. There have been 15 Almanac winners. 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. 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. “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. {related_content_uuid}29e0fc0a-a0e4-4f29-9870-047348815eee{/related_content_uuid}
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 22 Bethel Park High School students 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. There have been 15 Almanac winners.
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.
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.
“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.