Matthew Cirelli Memorial Scholarship
The Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship honors Matt’s legacy by supporting students and young adult cancer warriors who reflect his kindness, humility, friendship, and commitment to serving others.
Apply for Scholarship
Matthew was a 2012 graduate of Medford High School. He valued friendship and enjoyed spending time with his friends. Matt was a member of the cross country team for three years and was honored with the Unsung Hero Award in his senior year. He had a kind heart and gentle spirit and was a friend who you could trust and was always there when you needed him. He was a friend to all.
Community service and giving back to others was an important part of Matt’s life. He especially valued his work with the Best Buddies Organization and Special Olympics. Outside of school, Matt valued time spent with his family and was a leader at starting family traditions.
When Matt was 17-years-old he was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer. He fought a courageous battle for two years with strength and dignity, never losing his zest for life. Matt passed away on December 8, 2013, but his memory lives on.
This scholarship was established to honor and celebrate the life of Matthew Swirls Cirelli and to continue his legacy. The goal of the scholarship is to lend a helping hand to a student who shares the same qualities that Matt exemplified throughout his life; friendship, a humble team player always thinking of others and a commitment to community service.
2025-2026 Scholarship
Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship Award Application
$1,000 Scholarship Award
Qualifications:
- Medford High School or Vocational High School Senior.
- Must be pursuing further studies at a two or four-year college or university.
- Must submit completed application by April 1st, 2026.
- Please send completed application to swirlsaroundtheworld@gmail.com.
Note: Applications for the 2025–2026 Matthew Cirelli Memorial Scholarship are now closed. Please check back for future scholarship opportunities.
2024-2025 Scholarship
Congratulations to our 2024 Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship Recipients!
In 2019, we were honored to expand and grant our Swirls Scholarship to our warrior, Lily Weaver. This year, we are honored to again expand our recipients to include two young adult cancer warriors in addition to two wonderful
MHS seniors.
We are truly honored to present this well-deserved scholarship in memory of Matthew to FOUR incredibly hard-working and exemplary seniors of the Class of 2024:
- Madeline Morris (MHS)
- Isabella O’Brien (MHS)
- Jonathan Morin (Lewiston High School)
- Juliana “Jules” Stockler (Weymouth High School)
2023-2024 Scholarship
Congratulations to our 2023 Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship Recipients!
- Emma Casey
- Iasmin Cristina De Sousa-Vieira
- Daniel Diskin
- Jason Quinlan
Another special shout-out to cousin Michael who graduated from Merrimack College last weekend! Matthew’s dream was to attend college and he was so excited when he received his acceptance letter from Merrimack. Unfortunately, he had to defer after his cancer has returned, requiring further treatment.
We are so proud of Michael for helping Matthew Swirls achieve his dream.
2022-2023 Scholarship
Congratulations to our 2022 Recipients of the Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship!
- Laurel Baxter
- Emily Finnegan
- Kiera Lappin
Every year, we are honored to grant the Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship to seniors at Medford High School who exemplify so many of the characteristics that defined who Matt was; a good person and friend with a kind heart and gentle spirit who you could always trust and count on to be there when you needed him, took pride in everything he did especially his work with kids with special needs and always remembered to pay it forward.
The MHS/MVTHS Scholarship Awards Ceremony is an event that we look forward to each year. We love returning to the school that gave Matthew “Swirls” so much and continues to help us share and carry on his legacy.
We are truly honored to present this well-deserved scholarship in memory of Matthew to three incredibly hard-working and exemplary seniors of the Class of 2022: Laurel Baxter, Emily Finnegan, & Kiera Lappin! Congratulations Laurel, Emily, & Kiera!
We are so proud of you all! Thank you for your beautiful applications that resembled Matthew’s Mission so perfectly.
Wishing you all the best as you enter your next chapters, and please know that the Swirls Family is cheering you on every step of the way!
As always, Thank you to the wonderful Ms. Andrée Pierre-Paul and MHS for making this event possible and for including Swirls in this special ceremony. It is our honor and an event we look forward to each year!
Congratulations Class of 2022!
2021-2022 Scholarship
Congratulations to our 2021 Recipients of the Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship!
- Dawn Eisnor
- Brianna Leccese
Every year, we are honored to grant the Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship to seniors at Medford High School who exemplify so many of the characteristics that defined who Matt was; a good person and friend with a kind heart and gentle spirit who you could always trust and count on to be there when you needed him, took pride in everything he did especially his work with kids with special needs and always remembered to pay it forward.
We are so happy the event was able to be held in-person this year! We are truly honored to present this well-deserved scholarship in memory of Matthew to Dawn Eisnor and Brianna Leccese. Congratulations Dawn and Brianna! We are so proud of you both. Wishing you all the best as you enter your next chapters.
Thank you to Ms. Andrée Pierre-Paul and MHS for making this event possible and for including Swirls in this special ceremony. It is our honor and an event we look forward to each year!
2020-2021 Scholarship
Congratulations to our 2020 Recipients of the Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship!
- Jacqueline Madigan
- John Falco
Every year, we are honored to grant the Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship to seniors at Medford High School who exemplify so many of the characteristics that defined who Matt was; a good person and friend with a kind heart and gentle spirit who you could always trust and count on to be there when you needed him, took pride in everything he did especially his work with kids with special needs and always remembered to pay it forward.
Although we are saddened that we are not able to present the scholarship to this years recipients in person this year we are truly honored to present this well-deserved scholarship in memory of Matthew to Jacqueline Madigan and John Falco. Congratulations Jacqueline and John! We are so proud of you both. Wishing you all the best as you enter your next chapters.
2019-2020 Scholarship
Congratulations to our 2019 Recipients of the Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship!
- Jack Lazzaro
- Mikhayla Rothermel
We want to give a huge congratulations to the 2019 Medford High School Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli scholarship recipients, Jack Lazzaro & Mikhayla Rothermel! Thank you so much, Jack and Mikhayla, for your wonderful essays, Swirls would be so proud! We wish you all the best as you start your journeys after high school!! We are so proud and honored to have honored three Swirls Scholarship recipients for the 2018-2019 year.
Thank you to all of the incredible and heart-warming applications that we received. You all continue to pay it forward and live out Swirls’ mission. And thank you to Medford High School and Mrs. Pierre-Paul for such a special night. Congratulations to Jack and Mikhayla, and Medford High School Class of 2019
2018-2019 Scholarship
Congratulations to the 2018 recipient of the Matthew “Swirls ” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship!
- Francesca Viggiani
We are so proud of you Francesca! Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors. Francesca will be attending Tufts University this Fall!
Special thank you Mrs. Andre Pierre-Paul, the guidance department, and Medford High School for offering the Swirls Scholarship again this year! It is a true honor and a ceremony that we look forward to every year!
2017-2018 Scholarship
Congratulations to the first recipients of the Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli Memorial Scholarship; Kiley Mahoney and Shannon Smith, Medford High Class of 2017!
- Kiley Mahoney
- Shannon Smith
Matt Cirelli was a 2014 graduate of Medford High School. He passed away from cancer at the age of 19. Matt was a member of the high school cross country team and was proud to serve as captain under Coach Lou. Cross country was a special part of Matt’s life, and admired his coach and teammates.
For this reason, we are happy to present this scholarship to two members of the cross country team. From their essays, we learned that both recipients represent so many qualities that defined who Matt was; a good friend, teammate, and caring person who had the ability to appreciate the simple thngs, and always remmebered to pay it forward.
Congratulations Kiley and Shannon! We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, and remember that Swirls is always with you!
With love,
The Swirls Family
