Scholarship winner has ‘heart’ and ‘drive’ of award namesake

The Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy Scholarship was awarded in memory of Connetquot graduate Matthew Baylis to Connetquot student, Tristan Weingarten.

“The Lt. Michael Murphy Museum was happy to host recent Connetquot High School graduate Tristan Weingarten. Tristan is a record-breaking swimmer who will swim next year for the Panthers at Adelphi University.  Tristan came to the museum to personally thank Dan and Maureen Murphy for their generosity.  Dan and Maureen are the parents of Medal of Honor recipient Michael Murphy,” said a representative of the museum.

“The SEAL Museum that bears his name now stands in West Sayville.  Tristan was accompanied by Michael Murphy’s close friend, mathematics teacher James Emmerich.  Funds for Tristan’s scholarship were generously awarded by the Murph Foundation.  Dan and Maureen created the foundation with the death benefit they received after Michael Murphy gave his life on June 28, 2005.  Murphy sacrificed himself to save his SEAL team in Afghanistan at Operation Red Wings,” said the representative.

Over 1,000 people attended the opening of the museum in June 2022, the 17th anniversary of Operation Red Wings, to honor “Suffolk’s most decorated son,” according to former Suffolk County executive Steve Bellone.

Weingarten currently holds 10 out of 12 Connetquot High School records, including the 100-meter breaststroke record, which had stood the longest, being set in 1983.

“One of my teachers, Mr. Emmerich, was Murphy’s best friend and they grew up together, so he told me to apply. He said Murphy would have loved to meet me. I believe I was selected because of that reason. I was told by Emmerich that I had a heart and had a certain drive like Murphy did. I was also told that he would’ve been honored to give me the award himself,” said Weingarten.

“It really means a lot to me to get such a prestigious award like this with so much background and honor. Personally, the story behind Murphy is fascinating and it inspires me a ton. This award is honorable and prestigious, and I feel amazing that I had the opportunity to meet Murphy’s family and learn about his character and story,” said Weingarten.