Parr Awarded Kiki Walker Scholarship

The Merrimack Youth Wrestling Program celebrated the end of its thirteenth season at a banquet on April 3rd, 2018. One highlight of the evening was the awarding of the third annual Kiki Walker Memorial Scholarship to Merrimack High School Senior, Brendan Parr.

The scholarship is a $500 scholarship awarded by the Merrimack Youth Association's Wrestling Program to a graduating high school senior. To be eligible, the graduate must have wrestled for a full season in at least one of the Merrimack wrestling programs, MYA Wrestling, Merrimack Middle School Wrestling or Merrimack High School Wrestling, and be pursuing a degree or technical certificate at any accredited institution of higher learning.

The scholarship honors the memory of Kierra "Kiki" Walker, a girl who tragically passed away in 2012 at age eleven. Kiki found confidence and camaraderie through the sport of wrestling as part of the Merrimack Youth Wrestling team. The Merrimack Wrestling community celebrates her life by helping other wrestlers achieve
their dreams. This year was particularly memorable because Brendan was in Kiki's class. Kiki would have been graduating this year.

In Parr's scholarship essay, he noted how wrestling helped develop him physically and mentally to face and overcome life challenges. Parr will pursue a bachelor's degree from St. Anselm College in Manchester.

Photo 1: Mother, Trish Leavitt (left), Father, Kenny Walker (right) award Brendan Parr (center) a $500 scholarship named for their daughter on behalf of MYA Wrestling

Photo 2: Kierra "Kiki" Walker