News Archive
Katie L. Brannelly Scholarship Awarded
Matthew Tibets ’18 awarded the Katie L. Brannelly Scholarship by Valerie and Tom Brannelly, P ’99.
June 11, 2013 is the day that Katie Brannelly lost her life, 15 months after being hit by a distracted driver. She was only two weeks from graduating college when she was struck by a car as she crossed the street in her hometown of Norwood in March 2012. Now, five years after her passing, Matthew Tibets ’18, is preparing for college at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and he’ll do so with $1,000 from the Katie L. Brannelly Scholarship, a program begun through Dollars for Scholars in 2014 by Katie’s parents, Valerie and Thomas Brannelly, P ’99.
Many Xaverian students receive scholarships as they prepare for college, but this is a uniquely Xaverian story. Katie was the sister of Tom Brannelly ’99. Her mother, Valerie, has served generations of young men in the cafeteria at Xaverian. She was considering retirement this year, but her co-workers convinced her to stay. “It’s the boys,” she says, “that really keep me here.”
Valerie and her husband, Tom, have become passionate supporters of measures to end distracted driving. They established the scholarship in their daughter’s name to honor her memory and raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving. Through Dollars for Scholars, each year up to two recipients matching the criteria of a female studying child psychology or helping troubled children, (which was Katie’s focus), or one who plays field hockey or lacrosse, (the sports Katie played at Norwood High), are presented with a Katie L. Brannelly Scholarship. This year was a bit different. One female student in Norwood did qualify for the award through Dollars for Scholars; however, the son of a fellow Xaverian cafeteria employee, Brenda Hoover, also applied through Dollars for Scholars and was granted an award independently by Valerie and Tom.
Valerie explains: “Brenda’s son, Daniel Hoover, who applied through Dollars for Scholars was chosen because Katie babysat for him when he was young and his field of study is early childhood education.” And then, there’s Matthew. “Matthew Tibets does not meet the criteria at all,” says Valerie, “but I was so impressed by him choosing aviation school.” She and Tom came to campus to present Matthew with the award and to talk to him about Katie, their memories of her, and to ensure her legacy lives on so that others’ lives can be saved.
To read more about Katie and the scholarship in her name, visit the End Distracted Driving website at www.enddd.org/the-impact/katie-brannelly/.
Xaverian Brothers High School
Xaverian is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12. As an inclusive community, we embrace diverse experiences and perspectives, welcoming students and families from all faiths and backgrounds. Through exceptional academics, athletics, the arts, faith formation, and service opportunities, we help young men discover their unique gifts and talents so they can share them with a world in need.
