Civic Association Awards Scholarship to Kings Park Student

The Kings Park Civic Association recently presented the Greg Szurnicki Memorial Scholarship to student Kirsten Murphy for her dedication to volunteerism and service.

Murphy, a senior, has participated in several community volunteer programs including Operation Santa, which provides gifts for needy children and preparing holiday food baskets.

It is what Murphy has done outside the confines of Kings Park that is so impressive. Since 2007, Murphy has traveled to far off places such as Peru, Thailand, India and Tanzania to participate in volunteer programs that help to improve life for the people of these impoverished countries.

Murphy has delivered supplies to refugee camps, helped rebuild a community center destroyed in a flood and planted trees as part of a restoration project.

“She epitomizes the values of self-sacrifice and service to others, both here in Kings Park and in distant places around the world,” said Laura McKeon, recording secretary for the civic association.

According to McKeon, Szurnicki, one of the founders of the Kings Park Civic Association, worked tirelessly on civic matters in Kings Park for most of his life. Szurnicki, who served as civic president for several years, played a strong role in the plans to turn the Kings Park Psychiatric Hospital into state parkland.

The $500 scholarship was established in 2009, two years after Szurnicki passed away.

“The KPCA board members decided to present a scholarship in his memory. We honor a student each year, who, like Mr. Szurnicki, has a strong value of service to others.

Murphy plans to pursue a degree in international relations at Franklin College in Switzerland next fall.