♥ The EDMS Award Winners ♥
|
 |
| Daniel Park - 2015 EDMSF Award Winner |
|
| The 2015 Award Winner is Daniel Park. On May 22rd, 2015, Emily’s Foundation presented the 9th Annual Emily Davis Memorial Scholarship Foundation Award to Ye Chan "Daniel" Park. Centennial High School’s staff members nominated five (5) stand out candidates for the Foundation to consider. After reviewing the nominations Board Members agreed that Daniel's community service and participation in organizations like Howard County High School Charity Art Collection and the CHS Salvation Army Club underscore his own ability to embrace the human spirit. Making this award celebratesEmily’s giving spirit. According to her teachers, Mary has a determination to help others that is both healthy and refreshing to see. Her involvement in many groups supporting those in crisis or need has given her an understanding about how she can make a difference or “change the world”. Daniel will be attending Towson University next year. He is keeping her options opened but is considering working towards a degree that will help her pursue a career in either math or special education. Every year we are proud to honor Emily's memory by recognizing a bright light of goodness in our community.Emily would certainly have enjoyed sharing her passion to share her love and care for others with this year's award recipient, Daniel Park. ♥
|
On May 23rd, 2014, Emily’s Foundation proudly presented the 8th Annual Emily Davis Memorial Scholarship Foundation Award to Mary Crowe. Centennial High School’s staff members nominated six candidates for the Foundation to consider. After reviewing the nominations Board Members agreed that Mary's community service and volunteer participation in organizations like CHS’s Anti-Bullying Task Force, Best Buddies, CHS’s Peer Mentoring, Save the Children, 4-H Volunteer, Happy Helpers for the Homeless, Grassroots Homeless Shelter, Special Olympics, Ranger Rosaries and Lines of Love made her a stand-out choice. It’s clear; Mary deserves an award that recognizes her own ability to embrace the human spirit. Making this award celebrates Emily’s giving spirit. According to her teachers, Mary has a determination to help others that is both healthy and refreshing to see. Her involvement in many groups supporting those in crisis or need has given her an understanding about how she can make a difference or “change the world”. Mary will be attending Towson University next year. She is keeping her options opened but is considering working towards a degree that will help her pursue a career in either math or special education. Every year we are proud to honor Emily's memory by recognizing a bright light of goodness in our community. Emily would certainly have enjoyed sharing her passion to share her love and care for others with this year's award recipient, Mary Crowe. ♥
|
 |
| Mary Crowe at the CHS Graduation |
|
|
 |
| Olivia and Guitar |
|
| On May 23rd, 2013, Emily’s Foundation proudly presented the 8th Annual Emily Davis Memorial Scholarship Award to Olivia Mae Miller. Centennial High School’s staff members nominated seven candidates for the Foundation to consider. After careful consideration it was agreed that Olivia's service in the community, creative energy and good works in service to others deserved to be recognized by an award dedicated to Emily’s giving and artistic spirit. Olivia is a 16 year old high school graduate from Centennial High School in Ellicott City. MD. She has completed the required 4 years or course work in 3 years. Although some sacrifices were made to achieve this, Olivia’s passion for art and music has sustained her through the rigorous schedule.
Olivia is an accomplished flutist, playing from 3rd grade through her sophomore year finishing as a member of the Centennial HS GT band, Wind Ensemble and Marching Band. She's also a very good guitarist, vocalist and bassist. Olivia enjoys performing in local venues with two rock bands. She is also an accomplished artist. Her work has been featured on the Ellicott Mills Middle Schools 8th grade T-shirt as well as in the yearbooks. She's provided designs for other peer bands, won numerous contests for design, as well as being one of the 3 students who designed and produced the 2013 Senior Class video. Her photography has also provided an outlet for her creativity. It has been featured at the many HCPSS Art schools as well as in the Columbia Mall. She is in the process of completing her Girl Scout Gold Award. Her Gold service project created a public service announcement stop motion video using her artistic and musical talents to peak awareness for military families needing care for their pets while being deployed. Olivia has also been a girl scout since first grade. Although she is shy and somewhat introverted, she shines when she has the opportunity to share her artistic and music talents.
Olivia's life was forever changed on September 10, 2009, when her older brother, Drew, passed away due to complications with his second heart transplant. She and Drew were very close and it affected her profoundly. She knows the fragility of life and appreciates the gifts she has been given and intends to share them with the world. She uses the memories of Drew and her passion for the arts to help guide her as she pursues a career in the film industry. Olivia plans on creating music videos and graphic arts.
Each year we honor Emily's memory by shining a light on a bright spot in our community. We know that Emily would have enjoyed sharing her own love of Girl Scouting, music, art and her fellow man with this year's award recipient, Olivia Miller. ♥
|
 |
| Olivia Smiles |
|
|
On May 23rd 2012 Sarallah Salehi recieved the 7th Annual EDMS Award. Centennial High School’s staff members from all departments nominated six candidates for Emily's Foundation to consider. The Board members carefully reviewed each nomination. Sarallah's commitment to our community and efforts to help others in need deserved to be recognized by the award dedicated to Emily’s giving spirit. Sal, as his friends call him, is seen by his teachers as being kind and caring, always seeking to help others. As the President of the CHS Key Club he provided leadership to re-energize this Club. The Key Club is a division of Kiwanis International dedicated to providing service to our community. Sal also worked as a volunteer at the Domestic Violence Center for Howard County. As a part of his service here he participated in a peer group learning about dating violence and solutions. Sal is heading to the University of Maryland to begin his journey to become a neuro surgeon. The Foundation is blessed to be able to recognize and support someone who brings out the best of who we can be. Giving Sal the $2,006 scholarship grant this year continues to celebrates Emily's passion for caring for others.♥
|
 |
| Sarallah Salehi at his Graduation |
|
|
|
|
 |
| Owen Lee-Park - 2011 EDMS Award Winner |
|
On May 27th, 2011 Emily’s Foundation proudly presented the 6th Annual Emily Davis Memorial Scholarship Award to Owen Lee-Park. This year a number of Centennial High School’s staff members nominated six candidates for the Foundation to consider. The Board members carefully reviewed each nomination. In the end it was agreed that Owen’s behavior in the community and continuous good works in service to others deserved to be recognized by an award dedicated to Emily’s giving spirit. Owen is cited by respected CHS staff members as “having a natural passion for helping other”; for his “gentleness…and spirit of generosity”; for teaching his Best Buddy RM the meaning of true friendship”…and “much more”. Owen seems to have an engrained passion to care for others and truly enjoys the intangible reward one can get from helping others in need. He has been involved in a number of charitable organizations including Best Buddies and the Horizon Foundation. Owen plans to attend Cornell University in the fall in the College of Human Ecology. When I spoke with him following the award he shared with me that he hopes to become a Physician and someday work with the Doctors Without Borders program. Once again the Foundation is satisfied that recognizing Owen and giving him the $2,006 scholarship grant this year truly celebrates Emily and what she stood for.♥
|
On May 28th, 2010 the Foundation announced the 5th Annual Emily Davis Memorial Scholarship Award winner, Lenore Wilson. There were a number of outstanding students nominated. Lenore Wilson was selected for most closely emulating Emily's qualities of selflessness and the ability to embrace the human spirit. Rus VanWestervelt an English teacher and guiding light for many of the Students at Centennial High School cited Lenore's "persistence, organization, leadership and selfless belief in helping others who are struggling" in his written nomination. Lenore has been involved as a student leader in the Lines of Love Club at school since its beginning in March of 2009. The Lines of Love is a local non-profit foundation that directly benefits teens battling with anxiety, depression and addiction. Her efforts have increased the outreach of this valuable organization to include local college campuses. Lenore has also been the co-editor and chief of the school newspaper and literary magazine. She makes a positive impact on everyone she meets. A good friend and community member noted that Lenore is an "old soul", comfortable within herself and intuitive of others feelings. In the fall of 2010 Lenore will be attending the University of Maryland Baltimore County as she pursues a degree in English. We are sure that Emily would applaud our choice this year! ♥
|
 |
| Lenore Wilson - 2010 EDMS Award Winner |
|
|
 |
| Alison Gocke - 2009 WINNER |
|
|
In May 0f 2009 the Foundation presented the 4th Annual EDMS Award to Alison Gocke. The CHS GT Resource teach, Mrs. Bagley cited Alison's energetic commitment to her community as well as her love and compassion for others. Alison enjoys serving her community and consistently puts others before herself. She volunteers at a local Senior Center. Alison wants to be a doctor and has spent the past two summers researching at the Johns Hopkins Oncology department. In the Fall of 2009 she will attend Princeton University. Her acivities in high school included leadership roles as the editor of the Aquila literary magazine, the Art Honor Society as a board member, the Vice President of the Young Democrats Club, the French Honor Society as a board member, lead for the 2009 Red Cross Blood Drive at CHS, and she was a very active member at large in the National Honor Society. In addition to being a caring and driven leader Alison is cited at the top in her class scholastically. Her grade point average is even more impressive when you consider that Alison achieved this while taking five AP level courses. The Board of Directors of the Foundation are very proud to honor Alison with Emily's Scholarship. We believe that Emily would be happy to know that Alison's big heart is in our world to help others ♥
|
|
In May of 2008 the 3rd Annual EDMS Foundation award was given to Ciera Abbate. According to Nan Collins who heads up the Centennial High School Art department, Ciera is a conscientious young woman who has dedicated much of her time and efforts to the Art Department. Ciera is an accomplished artist working in various types of media. She has also served diligently in the National Art Honor Society for two years. Ciera's great attitude, cheerful nature and commitment to help others are among her cited qualities. During high school Ciera has worked with Howard County elementary school children in a mentoring program at Worthington Elementary School. She plans to attend James Madison University in the Fall of 2008 where she will pursue a career as an elementary school teacher. Emily would certainly have enjoyed sharing her love for art, her fellow man and especially children with this year's award recipient, Ciera Abbate. ♥
|
 |
| Ciera Abbate - 2008 EDMS Award Winner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Ciera's Van Gogh on Boots |
|
|
 |
| Ciera's self portrait |
|
|
 |
| Another View of Van Gogh |
|
|
In May of 2007 the 2nd Annual EDMS Foundation's award was shared by two deserving friends, Carrie Gartner and Shayna Meliker. Carrie and Shayna initiated a walk-a-thon called the "Miles for Miracles Walk" in our community to benefit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation when they were in the 8th grade. This effort grew out of a desire to help one of their favorite teachers who suffered from Crohn's disease. They grew the walk over a 4 year period to raise over $180,000 dollars. Carrie and Shayna's fund raising events and proceeds have been channelled into a foundation to perpetuate the benefit. These young ladies are servant leaders and have been nationally recognized for their selfless efforts to help others in need. Emily would certainly agree with the Foundations 2007 choice. ♥
|
|
Crohn's Disease Walk |
|
|
|
In May of 2006 the 1st Annual Emily Davis Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Nick Aburn. He took his love for his friend Emily and created Fashion Shows in 2005 and 2006 that raised significant money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation to her honor her memory. Without question Nick had been a friend to Emily. From the first day in Nursery School through good times and bad. he has always been there. Nick is currently pursuing his dreams as a world class fashion designer. There are some links to articles on Nick's fashion shows and local news coverage of Nick's Fashion for Philanthropy below. ♥
|
 |
| Nick Aburn - 1st Recipient |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
