2009 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

2016
Stephanie Ralston Khurana, Ashley Barnes, Rita Ralston

The 2009 St. Mary awards ceremony was held on Tuesday evening, June 20th, in the ballroom of the Annapolis Marriott. We arrived early in the day and spent the morning in beautiful downtown Annapolis. The weather was absolutely exceptional, sunny, comfortably warm, no discernable humidity and not a cloud in the perfectly blue sky. While sail boats bobbed in the harbor, the quaint shops along Main Street tempted us to meander and stop here and there to enjoy it all. All of this was a perfect backdrop for the Navy Blue Angels flight team, practicing their aeronautic maneuvers for their scheduled flyover during the upcoming Naval Academy graduation the following Friday. Annapolis traditionally comes to a halt on the Tuesday and Wednesday before graduation, everyone finding a perch close to the harbor to watch the display, never disappointed as the squadron of four F/A-18 Hornet fighter planes screams overhead, swooping low, seeming to miss each other by inches. Flying at almost twice the speed of sound, the booming sounds could not be ignored as they worked through their intricate flight patterns, back and forth, over the downtown area for two to three hours that morning. The excitement increased with each flyover. The main scuttlebutt that day was that President Obama was scheduled to speak at this year's Naval Academy Graduation Ceremony. The mood in town was magical. We enjoyed our walk up Main Street and wondered what in life could be better.

That evening we were reminded of the additional magic found in Annapolis, specifically St. Mary's High School. The graduating seniors of St. Marys again made us aware of what is good and right about this world, topping off the mood of the day.

Stephanie Ralston Khurana, Jeff's sister, again presented the Jeffrey Ralston Memorial Scholarship award for 2009. In her presentation speech, she remembered Jeff and the positive effect he had on so many lives. She pointed out the key ingredients of good life, a life well lived, and how this year's scholarship recipient exemplifies each of these. "Other-regarding behavior is so essential," Stephanie stated. "Putting the priorities of others before self; being generous and inclusive; taking initiatives to improve the world around you, not just self promotion; creating something larger than yourself." She noted these ingredients to be essential for a successful, well rounded life, and a vital part of the mission of St. Mary's High School. This year's scholarship recipient is their personification.

Ashley Barnes, this year's award winner, has a drive to learn. By her own admission, she works long and hard, knowing that if she is willing to put in the time and effort, she will succeed.

She is graduating first in her class with a GPA of 4.38 and was voted "most likely to succeed" by her classmates.

Ashley is persistent, takes challenges and risks, and demonstrates a quiet, competent leadership. As president of the Junior Civitan Club at St. Mary's, she worked behind the scenes to almost double the club membership during her senior year. She organized new fundraisers for the organization, notably the Helping Hands Foundation, and was the sole impetus for organizing a school assembly to promote its cause, and raised over $800 for its benefit. During the school assembly, she proved she could solve problems as they occurred. She quickly took control to avoid a potential difficulty and directed the course of the assembly to a successful completion, surprising even herself. The success of this effort, and the confidence she felt as a result, inspired her to reach out to further causes and endeavors. She is quietly beginning to understand the power she possesses by her superb scholarship and leadership abilities.

Ashley is an athlete, active in field hockey, basketball and lacrosse during her four years at St. Mary's. She is a Parvis Scholar, awarding her leadership, academic and Christian lifestyle. She is a member of the National Honor Society. Her volunteer activities are exemplary.

A comment from her basketball coach influenced Ashley, she says. "Success is not measured by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability." With this in mind, Ashley stated in her scholarship application that her goal is "to strive to reach her full potential and to use the gifts she has been given by God to serve others." With the confidence she is continuing to develop and the work ethic refined in her years at St. Mary's, she should continue to surprise herself with the good things she will certainly be able to accomplish as she completes her education. We know she will continue to work hard, becoming the best that she can possibly be. In the fall, she will attend Washington and Lee University with plans now for a medical degree and career in public health.

Rita Ralston and Stephanie Ralston Khurana presented the 2009 Jeffrey Ralston Scholarship to Ashley Barnes at the St. Mary's Senior Award Ceremony. Her parents, Ann and Dave Barnes joined in as we all congratulated Ashley. We wish her well.

2016
Rita Ralston, Stephanie Ralston Khurana, Ashley, Ann and Dave Barnes