When the Sound Shore St. Patrick's Day Parade committee was establishing what it wanted the new parade to look like in 2012, it had a clear goal: Honor the past by looking toward the future.
"We're celebrating successful Irish-Americans in the Sound Shore community and part of being successful is giving back," said committee Co-chair Tania McMenamin.
Looking to add another aspect to the family-friendly parade, the committee created an academic incentive. Two $2,500 scholarships are offered to local students who demonstrate a commitment to their education, community and Irish heritage.
To be eligible, students must be between 16 and 22 and live in Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Pelham, Port Chester or Rye.
"It is so nice to be able to provide some level of assistance to a young person," said scholarship Chairman Chris Regan. "The Sound Shore community has really embraced the scholarships."
Regan, a teacher at North Salem High School who lives in Mamaroneck, said he understood the pressures involved with getting into a good college. With tuition costs ballooning, the parade committee sees this as a way to make an investment in the community while honoring students' Irish lineage.
"So many families over the years have spent large sums of money as their children have immersed themselves in their Irish heritage," Regan said. "Irish dancing lessons, and the costumes and competitions involved, are quite expensive, as are lessons for someone learning the bagpipes or the tin flute."
The majority of the committee's funds come from a fall golf outing.
The inaugural scholarship winners in 2013 were Catherine White of New Rochelle and Carine Leslie of Rye. White attends Case Western Reserve University, and Leslie attends Lehigh University.
No award was given in 2014 due to a lack of applicants. The committee is hoping to change that this year — it has stretched the age requirements and reached out to local high schools and colleges to encourage students to apply.
The application deadline is May 1. For information, visit www.soundshoreparade.com/.
This year's parade steps off at 1:30 p.m. March 22 on Mamaroneck Avenue in Mamaroneck.
