2011 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Rita Ralston, Stephanie Ralston Khurana and John Morgan
Each year, the Senior Award Ceremony provides a glimpse into the lives of the capable and caring students at St. Mary's High School, their merits and accomplishments. Weeks before the ceremony, the applications for the Jeff Ralston Scholarship are reviewed, providing insight into depths of character often remarkable for these high school students. The review is a difficult one. Each applicant seems to provide a unique element, like none other, which deserves to be noted. One student, of course, must be chosen to receive the scholarship, the one who most exemplifies the values defined in the scholarship criteria. This year John Morgan proved to be the perfect choice.

Taking honors and AP level classes, John has a GPA of 4.16, ranks of 7th out of 124, is a Parvis Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. He expects to study Environmental Science, working towards degrees to further his interest in environmental policy or law, creating solutions for a healthy and sustainable future. He is President of the popular St Mary's Environmental Club.

During his years at St. Mary's, he was a member of St. Mary's JV and Varsity Lacrosse teams, JV and Varsity Soccer teams, JV Basketball, and Varsity Cross Country teams. As an Annapolis Ten Miler during 2009 and 2010, he ranked in the top 50 out of approximately 4500 runners each of these two years. He was a captain of the Varsity Cross Country team, the JV Lacrosse team and JV Soccer team and won the JV Lacrosse Coaches Award. He was a full-time lifeguard the past two years and has operated a neighborhood lawn and snow service since 2008. He volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club of Annapolis, St Vincent de Paul Society and a long list of other service organizations.

The above list of accomplishments is quite impressive. Most impressive, in view of the Jeff Ralston Scholarship criteria, is how often the terms values, integrity and goodness are mentioned in John's application, in his personal statement and by those who provided recommendations. John is accomplished scholastically and athletically, but is especially noted for his personal values. As he stated in his application "no matter what I achieve as a student, those things mean very little without the greater success of being a person of integrity, someone who reaches out to others in an effort to change the world in small ways for the better." Later he noted, "I have tried to carry an attitude of loving generosity into my relationships with others, especially those who are struggling in some way."

Quoting from one of his recommendation letters, John "is remarkably intelligent, dedicated to his studies, committed to his athletic pursuits and determined to do his best at all times." He is a very modest and generous young man, confident in who he is, strong and stable in his beliefs. Another quote speaks volumes, "The magnetism of his character is apparent to all people. He is a friend to everyone." He routinely chooses to help someone in need, someone different, perhaps having a difficult time, and is accepting of any differences that may exist. The strength and maturity of his character is apparent. The depth of friendship he offers is beyond that expected. He is a friend to all.

Both Stephanie Ralston Khurana and Rita Ralston were delighted that John Morgan is this year's recipient of the Jeffrey D. Ralston Memorial Scholarship and were proud to present him the award of $1000. After the award ceremony, they were thrilled to hear more of John's plans for the future during their conversation with him and his parents, Chris and Mary. They extended their warm congratulations to the entire family and especially to John, whom they found to be such an inspiration.


Rita Ralston, Stephanie Ralston Khurana, John, Chris and Mary Morgan