Lefty’s awards scholarship to Will Kenney of Sussex Central High

Sussex Central High School senior Will Kenney has been selected as the 2020 recipient of Lefty’s Alley & Eats Young Citizen Scholarship, which recognizes and rewards local students who demonstrate the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and character in their homes, schools and communities.

Each month this past school year, Lefty’s selected one area senior to receive a lane side party for 10 at Lefty’s to celebrate their achievement. Each monthly recipient was considered for the $1,000 scholarship which was announced in mid-May.

“Will is such an impressive young man, and I felt he exemplified the leadership, character and philanthropic vision that this award and scholarship is meant to exemplify,” said DJ Hill, co-owner of Lefty’s Alley and Eats, who made the call to Will and his family about receiving the scholarship. “Lefty’s had many strong candidates to choose from, but Will stood out to the committee making the selection.” 



Many people in the community may recognize Will’s Carnival for a Cause, which has to date raised close to $60,000 for various charities in Sussex County. Will’s sense of commitment to his community started at the age of 11 when he founded the carnival event to raise funds for a little girl with a rare eye syndrome. He wanted to make sure he could raise money while helping the little girl have some fun. The carnival grew year after year and eventually was able to raise funds for multiple charities. The long-term commitment and follow-through on his charity work was one of the deciding factors for Will’s selection as the award recipient.

Hill said when he spoke with Will, it was evident his sense of doing what’s right and his business acumen well exceed his age. His academic and athletic successes have proven no less commendable. Last year, Will participated in the Governor’s School for Excellence and ranked ninth out of 500 students. At Sussex Central, he was captain of the varsity lacrosse team, a member of the National Honor Society and vice president of student government. 


When asked about how he felt about receiving the award and scholarship money from Lefty’s, Will said, “I know that big corporations and large foundations give out scholarships. But I did not expect that a local, family-owned business would be so generous and give a scholarship. I cannot thank Lefty’s Alley & Eats enough for this money. I’m going to buy a new computer and books for college with the money so that I have less worry about those basics and can then focus on my academics.”

Will plans to attend Delaware Tech this fall and then Wilmington University. Upon completion of his schooling, Will hopes to start his own business, utilizing the many connections his charitable endeavors have afforded him. Will said, “I cannot move a mountain by myself, but with the help of the village, we can. And this scholarship from Lefty’s is that exact help which makes other great things possible.”

Gary Foley, general manager of Lefty’s Alley & Eats said, “We wish Will much luck in college as he gets his business management degree. Lefty’s has always been resolute in giving back to the community and to nonprofits through fundraisers, donations, dine-to-donates and this scholarship. With Will’s interest and experience at such a young age in carnivals and games, combined with his compassion and sense of community, who knows, maybe one day he will help us manage Lefty’s.” 


Foley said, “We can’t help but notice that most businesses are at a precarious point as they try to care for employees’ well-being while being on the edge of catastrophic business collapse during the COVID pandemic. However, Lefty’s innovative and generous owners always seem to be at the forefront and leading by example.”

Lefty’s partners annually with more than 80 local nonprofits in both onsite and offsite fundraising events. For more information on fundraising opportunities with Lefty’s, contact anitab@iloveleftys.com or go to www.iloveleftys.com.