Upper School student athletes Ryan Maciorowski ’26 and Giannalise Rodriguez ’26 were honored with the presentation of the inaugural John Skolka ’78 Memorial Scholarship Awards at the Alumni Awards Ceremony on Oct. 4 in the Berry Performing Arts Center. John Skolka, a standout athlete in the mid-late 1970s, was inducted into the W+H Athletic Hall of Fame for the fourth time at the event. He passed away in September 2024 and his family has established a scholarship in his name.
Kim Skolka, John’s wife, shared remarks that included information about John’s life, legacy and amazing resilience. She was joined at the event by their children, Christopher and Courtney, and granddaughter, Ginny. John was a proud Wardlaw+Hartridge graduate, three-sport athlete and beloved teammate known for his humility, determination and kindness. After a life-altering spinal cord injury in college, John’s perseverance carried him through a successful 35-year career at Johnson & Johnson and multiple inductions into the W+H Athletic Hall of Fame. Established by his family, the scholarship celebrates John’s spirit by recognizing outstanding student-athletes who embody his character and dedication.
“I am honored and grateful to be the first person to receive this award and opportunity from the Skolka family,” Ryan said. “It means a lot to me to be a representation of John Skolka and everything that he stood for. I hope to use this to further my education and athletics.”
“I'm truly honored to be a recipient of the John Skolka Memorial Scholarship Award from The Wardlaw+Hartridge School,” Giannalise said. “This recognition means a lot to me, not only as a reflection of my hard work and dedication, but also because it connects me to the legacy of someone who clearly made a meaningful impact on this community. I am deeply grateful for this support and inspired to continue striving for excellence in all that I do. I hope that the impression that I leave behind on this school is even half as significant as the legacy Mr. Skolka left for all of us to emulate.”