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Celebrating the Life of Andrea McKenna through an Endowed Scholarship

Andrea E. (Andi) McKenna, class of 2008, was a special education student from Galveston at Texas A&M University whose life came to an end all too soon in May 2007. To honor her life and her dedication to assisting those with special needs, Andi's parents, Sissy and John McKenna, classes of 1979 and 1978 respectively, and her sister and brother, Lauren and Johnny, have established the Andrea E. (Andi) McKenna '08 Memorial Scholarship in Special Education.

"Andi was blessed to know early in her life that she had the ability to work with people and touch their lives," said Sissy. "She was able to reach people that no one else could."

When Andi was 15 years old, she became a counselor at a day camp where she was willing to wait two weeks later than everyone else for her first paycheck because she was not supposed to be hired until she turned 16.  She worked at the camp for two summers and, during her junior year in high school, became involved in Best Buddies - a mentoring program for students with special needs at her high school.  This experience led her to volunteer in an elementary special education class during her senior year of high school.

"When she would enter a room with children in it, they would be drawn to her like a magnet," said John.

It is no wonder that during her summers away from Texas A&M University she worked at Camp Summit in Fort Worth, a program that provides a residential camping experience for children, youth and adults with disabilities in order to broaden their life experiences and increase their independence and social skills.

"She spent countless hours and many summers at Camp Summit working with children and adults with special needs and physical disabilities," said Sissy. "It is truly a remarkable place with remarkable people."

Andi was on her way to Camp Summit in Fort Worth on Sunday, May 27, 2007, when heavy rain caused her fatal accident.

While a student at Texas A&M, Andi, who was passionate about her Catholic faith, was the president of the Kappa Theta Beta Catholic Sorority. She also was a part of the Lohman Learning Community and participated in Project Sunshine. She lived with her sister, Lauren, who is a student at Sam Houston State University and her dog, Sadie.

"Sadie was a rescue dog and Andi was so attentive to her," said Sissy. "I think she even used some of the behavior management techniques that she learned in class on Sadie."

Andi was a proud Aggie even in her childhood. Her family often joked about how, during preschool, she would have nothing to wear on "orange day."

"Andi had a passion for Texas A&M, she was 110 percent Aggie; she loved the traditions, athletics, spirit and everything about being an Aggie," said John. "She probably had every Aggie t-shirt made; and if she didn't have it, her sister certainly did."

"Andi could probably tell you anything you wanted to know about traditions at Texas A&M," said Sissy. "She was so excited about getting her Aggie Ring. She had already made magnets to send to friends and family reminding them of the special event."

The McKennas have donated Andi's Aggie Ring to the Association of Former Student's ring collection. Her ring will represent the Class of 2008.

Johnny, Andi's brother, hopes to transfer to Texas A&M next fall where he can begin earning his Aggie ring and follow in Andi's footsteps by majoring in special education. He is already working and volunteering with Camp Summit.

Her family takes comfort in knowing that Andi's legacy also will live on in recipients of the endowed scholarship, knowing that students who shared Andi's compassion for and desire to serve children with special needs will get financial assistance with their education.

The endowed scholarship is designated for a junior or senior in the college pursuing a degree in special education and will award $1250 annually. This year's recipient is Julie Ness.

"We want Julie and future recipients to know what a caring young woman Andi was," said Sissy. "She was selfless and loved what she did. She never did anything half way. One of the many things we have taken away from this tragedy is that you should live every day like it is your last. I know that sounds so cliché, but it is true. That is what Andi did."
 

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