Hannah Donohue
2019-20 Grace Erline Memorial
Girls Gone Great Scholarship Recipient
Class of 2020, Fallston High School
“Since picking up the violin at nine years old, I’ve recognized that playing music for others allows me to connect with them on a deeper level. Playing an instrument is an effective method for me to express ideas and feelings. I constantly look for new music to listen to, jump at any opportunity to learn a new instrument, and observe how lyrics and melodies affect myself and others. It fascinates me how, even when I don’t understand why I am feeling a certain way, music allows me to clear my head, and communicate my thoughts with ease. Experiencing the connection between music and brain functionality on a personal level led me to explore the field of music therapy.
I collaborated with one of Kennedy Krieger’s music therapists who agreed to be my project advisor, and built a team of fellow peer musicians and teachers to assist me. My adviser educated me about the important aspects to consider in selecting therapy music with regards to lyrics and key signatures. Together, we identified appropriate songs, and I created lyric and chord sheet music for each one. These song sheets provide the basic tools needed for the music therapists to customize their therapy sessions for teenage patients. Once the sheets were completed, I created an eye catching bound version of the music selections, to make it an appealing and easily accessible resource for the Krieger music therapists and their teen patients to utilize. I also networked with my musician friends and teachers about potential resources for donations of percussion instruments. Through this network I was able to obtain donations of 70 percussion instruments to expand the collection at Kennedy Krieger’s Music Therapy Department.”
Kira Osborne
2019-20 Grace Erline Memorial
Girls Gone Great Scholarship Recipient
Class of 2020, Bohemia Manor High School
“My preparation and inspiration to become a FIRST Robotics Ambassador stemmed from my participation on a world class FIRST Robotics Competition team known as the Miracle Workerz. While on the team, I gained valuable skills and received a technology education that is hard to find in most traditional classrooms. Additionally, as a typically shy individual, I was able to come out of my shell and became leader of my team's CAD (Computer Aided Design) subgroup where I taught other team members what I had learned in my time there.
My participation in the program allowed me to become a Certified Solidworks (CAD software) Associate, be capable in 3D printing and CNC machining, and learn the principles of mechanical drawing. The knowledge I gained from the program has been life changing and sparked my drive to share this experience with others. My initial step toward this goal came in the form of the Delaware Peach Festival. At the festival, another team member and I had a booth that served as our platform to spread the word of FIRST Robotics. Our robot, which we drove around the pavement in front of our booth, attracted a lot of attention. With that attention came many questions which I eagerly answered. Through this event, we were able to spark a lot of interest revolving robotics within the community. Not only did we have people sign up for FIRST teams, as both students and mentors, but we also had several individuals take down our information for when their child became old enough to participate.
My vision for the future is a world where a quality technology education is available to those who may otherwise not have access.”
Special Award Recipient
Alyssa Petroff
2020 Grace Erline Memorial
Special Grant Recipient
University of Baltimore, 2017
J.D. Candidate, University of Massachusetts, 2022
“It has been 12 years since I was diagnosed with cancer and 17 years since I was on my own in high school. My journey over these years has been incredibly difficult to say the least, but I am grateful for all that I have learned about myself and life.
Cancer could have taken everything from me, but after treatment, I realized it was cancer that taught me how to build a community of support, to have the courage to face my fears, to advocate for myself, and to never stop following my dreams. I learned to stop waiting for the future to arrive, to build my own self-confidence rather than rely on circumstances to feel good about myself, and to see humor and good in everything. Survivorship changed my dreams, as well as my approach to life. When I started giving back to the cancer community, I found a passion for being of service to others.…Sharing my story meant accepting my story and empowering others to accept theirs. Through creating spaces and opportunities for people to share their experiences, I learned the value of setting aside my own needs to support someone else.
I have finally been able to prioritize my education, balancing my career with school and volunteering. After finishing my undergraduate degree, I enrolled in the Masters of Legal and Ethical Studies program at the University of Baltimore. It was in this program that I decisively found my academic strength and demonstrated, for the first time, what I am capable of when my studies are balanced with a career. I am now ready for a full career change, and going to law school is the next in that process.
Because of my sheer determination and desire for growth, my life has surpassed what I imagined to be possible that day my mother asked me to find a place to live. I could have allowed near homelessness at 16 or cancer at 20 defeat me, but I have repeatedly refused to be the victim of the circumstances of my life. It is this persistence and tenacity that I will apply to my study and practice of the law.”