Sound Shore St. Patrick’s Day Parade Awards 2026 Scholarships
The Sound Shore St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is pleased to announce that the 2026 Scholarship winners are:
Ariana Brito: Ariana, a senior at Mamaroneck High School, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Legacy of Service Nursing Scholarship and will attend Barry University this fall to pursue a degree in Nursing. As the child of a first responder, she has embraced the values of service, sacrifice, and resilience, demonstrating them through her academic excellence, four years on the varsity softball team, coaching youth athletes, and helping care for her younger siblings. Ariana has also been actively involved in community service and volunteer initiatives and looks forward to a nursing career where she can make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
Emma Cunningham: Emma, a senior at Rye Neck High School, has earned High Honor Roll recognition throughout all four years of high school and is a member of the National Honor Society. In addition to her academic achievements, she has been actively involved in student government, field hockey, theater, Sharing Shelf, Special Olympics, and numerous other school and community activities. Proud of her Irish heritage, Emma danced competitively for nearly 10 years and plans to continue that passion by joining the Irish dance team at Providence College. Emma is the recipient of our Irish Heritage/In Memory of Tim O’Neill Scholarship.
Ashley Hernandez: Ashley is completing her senior year at Rye Neck High School, where she has distinguished herself through outstanding academic achievement, athletic success, and extensive community service. Raised in an immigrant household, Ashley has been a passionate advocate for immigrant communities, founding her school’s Hispanic Coalition, researching immigration policy, and working with local leaders to address issues affecting newcomers. This fall, she will attend Vanderbilt University, where she plans to continue her commitment to service, leadership, and advocacy. Ashley is the recipient of our American Immigrant Experience Scholarship.
Wilder ‘Carlos’ Miranda: Carlos, a senior at Rye Neck High School, moved to the United States from Guatemala in 2021 and quickly adapted to a new language, culture, and school environment. Through determination and hard work, he achieved strong academic success while balancing athletics and employment throughout his high school career. As he prepares for graduation, Carlos plans to pursue a future in law enforcement, with the goal of serving and protecting his community. Carlos is also the recipient of our American Immigrant Experience Scholarship.
The parade committee and past Parade Grand Marshals Kate Bialo and 2026 Grand Marshal officially presented these deserving students with their scholarships at Barn Stone Grill in Mamaroneck. In return, the Barnstone Grill staff presented the Parade Committee with a generous donation check to the Parade Scholarship Fund as part of their “Dine to Donate”, a decade-old community enrichment partnership with local non-profits. Rye Neck High School Principal Melinda Folchetti was on hand to congratulate the students, three of whom are Rye Neck High School Seniors.
More than $70,000 in scholarships has been awarded in a tradition that began with the first Sound Shore St. Patrick’s Day Parade. “The Parade serves the Sound Shore Community in two ways,” said Past Grand Marshal Kate Bialo. “First, it is a wonderful community event that brings folks together to celebrate a fun traditional cultural holiday. And equally important is our Scholarship Program—with four annual scholarships awarded to Sound Shore high school seniors who exemplify community spirit, volunteer service and connections to their cultural heritages. It’s a Parade with a bonus. Who doesn’t love that?”
The Sound Shore St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a celebration of Irish American heritage and the American immigrant experience, representing the entire Sound Shore community from Port Chester to the Pelhams, marching down Mamaroneck Avenue through the village of Mamaroneck to Harbor Island. “Our aim has always been to organize a great parade event for the Sound Shore community and provide for scholarships for deserving students,” said Parade President Joe Mauro. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to make a small difference in these admirable young people’s lives.”
For more information on how you and your organization can march in the parade, donate to the Parade Scholarship Fund, or attend the annual fall golf outing on September 28, visit www.soundshoreparade.com.