Thursday, October 1, 2026
A graduating eighth-grade student with a lifelong connection to the late Mary Ruchalski has been named the 2026 recipient of the Mary Ruchalski Memorial Scholarship at St. Agnes School.
Established by the Ruchalski family following Mary’s death in 2018, the scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating eighth-grade girl who plans to attend a Catholic high school and exemplifies the qualities that defined her life, including kindness, faith, sportsmanship, academic excellence and service to others.
This year’s recipient, Kitt O’Neill, was selected not only for embodying those values but also because of her unique personal connection to Mary. Family members believe she is the last St. Agnes student to receive the award who personally knew Mary and shared a friendship with her.
“We believe she’s the last student at St. Agnes who really knew Mary,” said Carol Ruchalski, Mary’s mother and co-founder of the scholarship. “She’ll really help us continue Mary’s legacy into that next age group.”
The connection between the two began when Mary, then a fourth grader, became a mother’s helper for the O’Neill family after they returned to Rockville Centre in 2014. A friendship quickly formed, and even after Mary became ill, Kitt continued visiting her. Through arts and crafts, conversations and shared time together, their bond remained strong.
“Mary has been such a big presence and motivating factor,” said Deirdre O’Neill, Kitt’s mother. “Mary made it cool to be kind. Mary made it cool to be inclusive.”
Over the years, Mary became one of Kitt’s most important role models. As Kitt prepared to graduate from St. Agnes and continue her education at Sacred Heart Academy this fall, she said she has reflected many of the same goals and aspirations Mary once held. Mary had dreamed of attending Sacred Heart Academy and following in the footsteps of her older sister, Ashley. Now, Kitt is beginning that journey herself.
“She was everything that was good in the world,” Kitt said. “I want to be like her and make an impact on the world because that’s what she did, even though she was still only my age.”
The scholarship presentation on June 5 carried special meaning for both families. Mary’s sisters, Ashley Ruchalski-Allen and Lyndsey Ruchalski-Robinson, returned to St. Agnes to present the award for the first time since Mary’s passing. Having once babysat Kitt when she was younger, the moment marked a full-circle experience and a reminder of the lasting relationships Mary helped create.
For the O’Neill family, receiving the scholarship was both humbling and emotional. They view the award as recognition of the values Mary represented and an opportunity to continue sharing her story. As a student leader, athlete and advocate for kindness, Kitt has embraced the responsibility of carrying that legacy forward.
“Everyone knows who Mary was,” Deirdre O’Neill said. “That she didn’t die in vain, that she didn’t suffer for all of that for nothing, and that her family knows we are behind her. Not just us, but the St. Agnes community, the South Side community, the Wilson community, the Rockville Centre community. We are behind them and this is just the beginning.”
For more information, visit TheMaryRuchalskiFoundation.org.
