2015 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

2016
Stephanie Ralston Khurana, Lindsay Keough, Rita Ralston

For this year's Senior Awards Ceremony at St. Mary's High School, Stephanie Ralston Khurana and Rita Ralston gathered with the graduating students, their parents and teachers in the St Mary's Carroll Gardens on the banks of the Severn River, overlooking a harbor full of sailboats bouncing quietly in the breeze. For all, especially the graduating seniors excited about the upcoming events, this was the perfect setting to chat and share memories. If only time would stop to allow each vision, each emotion, each thought to be relished again. There seemed to be no spot on earth more captivating that evening.

After the reception, the group strolled to the lovely, newly refurbished Marian Hall for the evening ceremony. This was the fifteenth year of awarding the Jeffrey D. Ralston Memorial Scholarship. Having been at this event so often, Stephanie and Rita now felt like family, proud to be among the motivating presentations they hear each year. Again, the winner of this year's scholarship was an extremely inspirational young woman, her application depicting so many selfless endeavors. Stephanie and Rita were excited to meet the extraordinarily giving young woman, Lindsay Keough.

Lindsay has been studying Spanish for two years and has developed a passion for the language and the culture. In her selfless way, she volunteers at the evening ESL classes, babysitting the children of parents who attend the classes. Interacting with the Spanish-speaking children has increased Lindsay's cultural awareness while enabling the children to feel comfortable while away from their parents.

Again helping those in need, Lindsay has, since the eighth grade, volunteered at the Wellness House, which supports the families of those dealing with cancer. As the membership of families with children increased, Lindsay recruited six more teen volunteers and was granted the position of Lead Teen Counselor. She organizes activities for the program's summer camp and follow-up monthly events. She plans weekly activities for the children, providing a fun environment, and trains the teen counselors to make these activities possible. She was not expecting these children to become such a large part of her life, but they have become so. She stated in her application, "Seeing the children laugh, be silly, and finally break out of their shells almost makes me forget that they have such large burdens and worries. Recently, six out of the twenty children have lost a parent." She takes comfort in knowing these children can interact with a supportive group of people other than family members who truly care about them.

Lindsay has been accepted at several rigorous colleges and plans to major in psychology and hopes to help with an organization similar to the Wellness House during her college years. Seeking a greater understanding of the emotional and physical aspects associated with cancer, she plans to pursue her goal of becoming a bilingual medical doctor, allowing her to be even more supportive of individuals and families touched by this life-changing illness.

These lofty goals seem well within reach for Lindsay. A member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honors Society, she has excelled academically, taking challenging AP courses while being extensively involved in extracurricular activities. She is a member of the Mock Trial Team, acting as the head prosecution lawyer, and manages to work part time at a local restaurant. Lindsay does it all, while being the charismatic daughter to the delight of her parents, Tom and Lisa Keough. Stephanie and Rita relished the time they spent getting to know Lindsay and her parents, and extended their congratulations and best wishes to Lindsay.

2016
Tom, Lindsay and Lisa Keough, Stephanie Ralston Khurana and Rita Ralston