YOUNGSTOWN — Sometimes, a long-sought destination turns out to be the easiest one to find.
For Cardinal Mooney senior, Aidan Markey, the excitement that comes with the journey of finding a college has been marked with its share of uncertainty, but everything cleared up on Friday when he was awarded Walsh University’s Founders Scholarship.
“Throughout this whole journey, Walsh emerged as a top choice for me,” Markey said. ‘It’s close, but still far enough away to have an entire college experience — and it has everything I want to pursue.”
The award is a full scholarship, which was decided after a long process that included an interview. Markey will study computer science, engineering, and cyber security — all areas Walsh admissions official, Sara Boswell, knows Markey will succeed in beginning in the fall.
“Aidan is a remarkable student, and we’re so happy to be able to offer everything he wants to study,” Boswell, who personally presented Markey with the news at Cardinal Mooney, said. “He has a fantastic support structure here at Cardinal Mooney, and a wonderful family.”
Aidan’s mother, Stephanie, is a Walsh University graduate, a fact that also helped him make the decision.
“Because my mom is a Walsh graduate, there’s a sense of familiarity that helps a lot,” Aidan said.
Walsh University also presented Aidan with the opportunity to pursue another passion: soccer. He started a handful of games at goalkeeper for Cardinal Mooney as a freshman, and every other one for the last three years.
“I want to continue my soccer career,” Aidan said. “I’m very thankful for Walsh extending that opportunity for me. The team seems like a family, and that’s the way it was with coach (Matt) Britton and everyone here at Mooney.”
