The scholarships are given to students who embody Malvern’s core values, such as Truth, Unity, and Love, or others like commitment and family. It is a true honor to be selected to win one of these scholarships, especially among so many other impressive and deserving students who also reflect Malvern’s values. While it is not a competition to win, you definitely have to stand out to be selected.
All of the winners were so grateful and humbled to be selected as recipients. Malvern Junior and MECO Leader Tommy Onderdonk 26’ who received the Thomas F. Swift ’78 Award recipient described his gratitude for the award. Presented by LJ Battagliese, Onderdonk was noticed by students and faculty for his involvement and dedication to Malvern.
“It’s always nice to get someone to compliment you for something that you have done. And it’s nice to hear that gratitude from other people. But I understand that I was able to do a lot of these things because of people like the [members of] the Swift Family,” Onderdonk said.
One of the awards is the Norman and Dorothy McMahon award, given by the McMahon Family annually to a junior who has shown love and commitment to family and Malvern Prep. This year’s recipient was Gavin Antennuci ‘26, and throughout his time here at Malvern, he has embodied a selfless individual who puts others first.
When Gavin was asked what his family means to him, he replied, “They are pretty much everything to me. It’s just like they always have my back and have helped me through a lot of hard stuff. [I] couldn’t thank them enough, ” said Antenucci.
Beyond this, the students acknowledge that Malvern has shaped them into the award-winning individuals they are today. Dominick Sadoff ‘26 and the Mullray Family Scholarship award winner touched on this feeling, saying,
“Malvern’s just kind of helped me grow as a person, figure out what I like, my passions, and even when I dislike some things I’ve tried that I don’t enjoy. It’s helped me kind of map out an idea for my future and what I want to do further in college,” Sadoff said.
The Mullray Family Scholarship is given in loving memory of T. Daniel Mullray ’62 and his wife Eleanor “Bunky” Mullray to honor their involvement, commitment, and love for Malvern Prep. Saying that Donnie is committed is an understatement, as he is one of the most involved students here at Malvern. He prides himself in the arts programs, and even brought some new ones to the large variety.
When asked how he believes he is an example of commitment, Sadoff responded, “I try to do as much as I can, take advantage of the opportunities that we have at such a great school. So I apply myself to a lot of stuff here, maybe too much sometimes, but that’s what I try to do.”
Tommy Onderdonk ‘26, the Thomas F. Swift ’78 Award recipient, is acknowledged for his involvement in the Malvern community and the diligent effort he provides in courses and activities. Tommy participates in football, lacrosse, and First Take (our sports debate club). Furthermore, Tommy is a MECO leader, a Bellesini Honors Society member, and a recipient of an incubator grant for Malvern’s very own sports broadcasting program. Tommy shares his understanding of what the award means and what Thomas F. Swift values in a student.
“[The description of the award] talks about Thomas F Swift, how he supported a diligent kid who was able to participate in a lot of activities and be influential in his upper school career. That was kind of the prompt for the award. So basically, the understanding of it, to me, was talking about how being participative and using all the abilities that Malvern has given you, and that counts as clubs, even hard classes and extracurriculars and sports, being able to use all that while being successful and creating a beneficial atmosphere for others and the people around you,” Onderdonk said.
On the topic of creating a positive atmosphere, this year’s Basil B. Sullivan ‘51 Scholarship went to Duke Zdancewicz ’26. This scholarship is awarded in the name of Basil B. Sullivan, an amazing history teacher and friend to numerous alumni. The award acknowledges a student who not only puts immense effort into academics, athletics, and activities but also demonstrates loyalty to Malvern. Furthermore, someone who improves their atmosphere and benefits others. Duke shares his own story about Sullivan and his impact on others.
“My grandpa went to Malvern. And the actual Basil B. Sullivan was his teacher, and he said [he] was his favorite teacher. So I got a little insight on that, and he would always tell me that [Sullivan] made Malvern. He made his classes exciting. So [my grandpa] would wake up and be excited to go to Malvern because he made it fun to [learn]. And I think that [feeling of excitement] has definitely outlasted Mr. Sullivan is still around today,” Zdancewicz said.
Zdancwicz shares a motivational statement when asked how he believes the award aligns with his way of life.
“What I’ve always tried to establish with everything I try to do, is 100% effort, right? Passion, whatever you decide to do, do it with your heart and love what you do as well. Because once you love what you do, you’re gonna get addicted to doing it, and then it’s just gonna come natural. So like, I think having that passion is definitely what I stand for,” Zdancewicz said.
The recipient of the class of ‘71 award, Dan Riely, was recognized for academic merit and for participating in various sports teams at Malvern. When asked how meeting some of the members of the class of ‘71, he responded, “So I met three members of the class of 71 during the ceremony, and then we had a nice reception afterwards where we got to eat and talk with them. They were awesome people. I mean, they were super genuine and, like, they just wanted to tell me, like, how it’s like going to Malvern was so special to them, and that for them to come back 50 years from that, like, later and be able to, like, reward students that are here right now is just like, one of the best feelings they’ve had. So I think they’ve, like, they’ve given, given the scholarship to NSU two years ago, and then they gave Mike, or left the scholarship last year. And now, now me. So it’s like, it’s a great way to, like, come back together and get back to Malvern, and it’s definitely helped me out. So, yeah,”
All in all, these scholarship recipients demonstrate the best of Malvern Prep’s values, truth, unity, love, commitment, and family. Their large resume of achievements, both inside and outside of the classroom, embodies appreciation towards everything that is offered at our beloved school. These awards serve as the highest recognition of their accomplishments and set an example of the accomplished student that Malvern strives to promote in everyone.
