Ryleigh Rose Hagerty Scholarship

Kendra Piotrowski, Multimedia Coordinator

Cathedral Prep is offering a new scholarship in honor of Ryleigh Rose Hagerty that will be available beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.

Ryleigh, was born with a life-threatening heart defect. Ryleigh’s parents learned the only chance for survival was a heart transplant. Sadly, a heart suitable for Ryleigh did not arrive in time. The scholarship was created to honor Ryleigh’s legacy and to bring light to young lives.

Ryleigh’s parents, Dan and Courtney Hagerty hope the scholarship will recognize special young men and women that embody the strength and love of their daughter.

Cathedral Prep President Mr. Smith mentioned that Prep was approached by the family about starting a scholarship so that they can honor Ryleigh’s life and so other kids can benefit from the scholarship.

“Ryleigh’s caregivers called her ‘Resilient Ryleigh’ because of her fighting spirit despite a lot of tough things,” Mr. Smith said.

The Loyal and True Foundation has put a lot of support behind the scholarship.

A rising senior, junior, sophomore, and a new freshman will be able to apply for the scholarship. The scholarship is renewable as well. The scholarship will always be available to 16 students.

“I’ve gotten to know the family,” Mr. Smith said. “What they are doing is inspiring and emotional and it is very motivating.”

Applicants must submit an essay that describes how he/she or their family has demonstrated resiliency in facing adversity in their lives. Applications for the Ryleigh Rose Hagerty Scholarship are available at www.cathedralprep.com/scholarships, and recipients for next school year will be chosen and announced in April.