The Emily Davis Memorial Scholarship Foundation, Inc

Owen Lee-Park - 2011 EDMS Award Winner

On May 27^th, 2011 Emily’s Foundation proudly presented the 6^th 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 of 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.