MIAC Scholarships
The Club awards scholarships each year for family of MIAC members in good standing.
MIAC Scholarship Program
Each May, the Marin Irish American Club awards multiple $1,500 scholarships to deserving students, who are relatives of current MIAC members. The scholarships are based on academic scholarship and our John Trimble Award which emphasizes community service.
The Marin Irish American Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors or continuing college students carrying a minimum of 12 semester units and earning a current GPA of 2.5 or better
MIAC Scholarship Winners
2025
Emma Cahill Slaught – Ray and Bernadette Kelleher
Scholarship for Academic Achievement
Sponsor: Kathleen Cahill Slaught
Nellie Sell – John Trimble Service Award
Sponsor: Maura Ochoa, Jim & Margaret Sell
Katherine King – MIAC Scholarship
Sponsor: Mary Ann King
Brendan Cassidy – MIAC Scholarship
Sponsor: Judith Walsh Cassidy
Griffin Sean Madden – MIAC Scholarship
Sponsor: Mick & Eileen Madden
VINCENT WALSH SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Bertha Veladquez
Maty Thiane
Julio Lazaro Oxias Saquiche
Alma Montoya
Emmanuel Medina
Kateryn Michelle Sanchez Chicas
Magally Pena
Joshua Pena
2024
Claire Cassidy – Ray & Bernadette Keller Scholarship
Leo Gallagher – John Trimble Service Award
Sophia Galleguillos – MIAC Scholarship
Quinn Madden – MIAC Scholarship
Sean Madden – MIAC Scholarship
VINCENT WALSH SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Kaylei Weston
Casey Gonzalez Rodas
Sebastian Vigil Garcia
Joselyn Alvares-Torres
Kimberly Perez Maldonado
Kenneth Fuentes Zelaya
Kevin Joel Monoz Mazariegos
Lana Johnson
Satya Whitby
Rachel Ortega
2023
PIPER EGAN
JOHN KING
SOPHIA WHITE
LAUREN REID
CONNOR MULVANEY
VINCENT WALSH SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
ANA RODRIQUES
NORM TELLEZ
OLIVIA ISREAL
TONY HEFFERNAN
2022
BRENDAN CASSIDY
MARGARET GALLAGHER
PETER HAYES GALLAGHER
DYLAN KAY
ALLISON MADDEN
2021
CONOR CASSIDY
TOMMY GALLAGHER
GILLIAN LAUGHLIN
CASSIDY McBRIDE
ELLA REID
2020
MOLLY MADDEN
AISLING CASSIDY
ALEXIS McBRIDE
CHRISTA ANDERSON
BEN GALLAGHER
2019
SABRINE STRAIN
CONOR CASSIDY
ALEXIS McBRIDE
JACK GALLAGHER
2018
SEAN McKEOGH
CHARLES GALLAGHER
FRANCIS GALLAGHER
2017
EMILY McENTEE
GRACE GALLAGHER
2016
EMILY SIMI
EMMA ALLEGRUCCI
JESSICA GALLAGHER
MEGAN FEENEY
2015
RYAN GALLAGHER
JESSICA GALLAGHER
BRIDGET MORIARTY
BRIANA McENTEE
2014
EMILY SIMI
KEVIN GALLAGHER
EMMA ALLEGRUCCI
2012
DANIEL GALLAGHER
MIAC Vincent Walsh Scholarships
Dedicated MIAC Scholarships
John Trimble Scholarship
In 2009 the MIAC Scholarship for Community Service was established in John Trimble’s name.
John’s Irish heritage stemmed from his mother, Agnes Malley Trimble, a member of a large Irish family from St. Paul, Minnesota.
John was well known in the St. Isabella Parish Community for many decades. After John retired he joined the staff of the parish as their beloved custodian. His love for Irish music was evident when, with associative pastor Fr. Cyril O’Sullivan, John established the weekly Irish Ceoltais, Irish music learning sessions, for anyone near and far who had an instrument. The core music group played throughout Marin and Petaluma in restaurants, pubs, homes, for church liturgies and numerous celebrations of patron St. Patrick.
Most of all John loved and appreciated the students of his community and beyond, recognized their spirit and through his example encouraged them to be of service to others in their church, school and civic communities. .
Vincent Walsh Scholarship
Vincent Patrick Walsh was born in County Sligo on Ireland’s rugged west coast in 1935 during times of economic hardship. At fifteen, he was forced to leave school, which he loved, and emigrate abroad to earn money to send home to his parents and nine brothers and sisters.
Moving west across America – New York, Boston, Chicago, Denver, and eventually San Francisco – Vince became a leader of the Irish diaspora, helping to establish Irish Cultural centers and St. Patrick’s Day parades in several cities, while being an active and devout Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus and the right to life movement.
Working tirelessly to become a success, he nevertheless held tight to his love of education, eventually enrolling in Engineering school before joining the US Army. When he married and started a family in San Francisco, he toiled all day in construction while going to law school at night, graduating in 1972.
His education wasn’t limited to academia or law. His intellectual curiosity drove him to find almost everyone he met fascinating in some way, leading him to start innocent conversations that often led to lifelong friendships.
Bernie and Ray Kelleher Scholarship
In the year 2012 it was decided by the MIAC Board that a scholarship be named in memory of Bernie Kelleher, a past president and member of the MIAC Board since 2005. Since Ray had also been a member of the Board since 2005 and a past president, it was decided by the MIAC Board to rename this scholarship in honor of both Bernie and Ray.
Education was one of the main priorities in the lives of Bernie and Ray .
Upon graduating from Dominican College, Bernie continued her education obtaining a teaching credential and later a Masters in Education. She began her career in Pinole, her home town, and upon her marriage to Ray, continued her career in Marin, the site of their home as a married couple. Bernie taught in the Dixie School District as an elementary teacher both substituting and full time and also served as principal of the Dixie School District summer school sessions. Bernie then continued her career as a third grade teacher at St. Isabella School and was loved and respected by the students, their parents and her colleagues. As a young girl, Bernie’s dream was to be a teacher. She put her heart and soul into her profession and vocation.
Ray, a native of San Francisco and product of Catholic elementary and high schools, graduated from the University of San Francisco.
After serving in the military, Ray obtained his secondary credential and eventually his Masters in Education. He taught in the Junior High Schools in San Francisco. His career also continued in Marin eventually bringing him to San Marin High School. There he taught History and was a beloved coach. He was dedicated to his career and loved and respected by his students as a teacher and coach.
PRINT 2025 MIAC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
MIAC Scholarships
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