Best Night of The Year 2025
By Board Chair Nancy McKenna
On a gorgeous June evening before a sellout crowd, Destination: College (DC) celebrated this year’s class of Cooney Scholars with a very special guest- legendary NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Siwanoy Country Club proved a fitting venue to recognize the many who have made DC ‘s mission possible for over 19 years.
A longtime resident of Bronxville, the Commissioner played football at Bronxville High School with Jeff Cooney, DC’s beloved former board member. Following Mr. Cooney’s untimely death in 2018, all DC scholarships were subsequently named in his honor.
Joined by members of the Cooney Family, DC celebrated the contributions of its many coaches, volunteers and generous supporters while acknowledging this year’s class of Cooney Scholars. They are 21 strong and members of 12 sports teams from all three of the high schools in Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon High School, STEAM Academy and the Denzel Washington School of the Arts). These individuals were selected based on academics, leadership, and grit.
The highlight of the evening was an interview with Commissioner Goodell by DC students, including five former, current and hopeful Cooney Scholars. The session was moderated by Mary Civiello, an Emmy Award winning journalist who is a longtime DC volunteer and supporter and who currently works as a communications coach for senior executives around the world.
Questions posed by the students ranged from how the NFL works with players to enhance financial literacy, to the impact of coming from a political family on the Commissioner’s leadership style, to what advice he had for students trying to emulate that style and his success.
Every year, fueled by some 70 volunteers, DC works with 300 students both in high school and college. Academic assistance, mentoring and help with all aspects of college admissions, including financial aid, are key components of DC’s program. DC’s mission is to help students gain entry to the college best suited to their academic, financial and athletic needs. Board Chair Nancy McKenna expressed gratitude for the support of all in the room for helping DC achieve that mission and its goals.
If you would like to join the DC family as a volunteer, please reach out to Executive Director Michele Roque at mroque@destinationcollegeny.org to be part of the fall programs !