The Andy Roos Scholarship

Andrew Joseph Roos was born October 26, 1958 in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated from high school in 1976 in New York state. After moving to North Carolina, he attended Campbell University in 1977 and transferred to East Carolina University in 1978. Having a passion for teaching younger children, he decided to pursue a degree in Elementary Education and wanted to become a Kindergarten teacher. In 1979, while attending ECU as a sophomore, Andy became sick and died from cancer later that year at the age of 20. He was beloved by his family and many friends.

Growing up in New York, Andy was a great kid, remarkably kind, and liked by everyone. As a little boy, Andy had many health problems, all of which he persevered through without complaint. As a young teen, he liked to create his own board games. Andy’s Catholic faith was always important to him and he considered the priesthood at one time in his life.

During high school, he had many interests. In 11th grade, he was Vice-President of his class. In 12th grade, Andy ran for Class President. He was Editor of the school’s newspaper, a member of the honor society, and had a part in the school play “Harvey”. In his Humanities class Andy created an acronym for S.C.H.O.O.L., which read . . . Shows Children How Others Observe Life.

When Andy was sick and fighting lung cancer in the Spring of 1979, and soon after being diagnosed, if he was feeling up to it, he went into work with his mom where she was a teacher’s aide at Henry Adams Elementary School in Cary. He was always thinking of what he could do for others, and put the kids first, before himself, even though it would have been easier for him to just stay home and rest.

Andy was short in stature but big-hearted in life. He appreciated the value of close friendships. Andy was humorous and humble. He would have been a great educator.

In 1980, the Andy Roos Memorial Scholarship was established to honor his memory and to assist deserving students called to educating our children. For more than 40 years, Andy’s loved ones and friends have made contributions to make the scholarship awards possible.