On Sunday, May 19th, Media Fellowship House celebrates the achievements of our scholarship recipients from Delaware County at our annual community awards reception. We are committed to building a stronger community through our youth scholarship program as we amplify the voices of young adults who stand against injustice and strive for understanding. Established in 2023 in memory of MFH board member Claire Dowdy McGeehan, the Claire McGeehan Leadership Award honors students who exhibit essential leadership qualities in challenging circumstances. Our scholarships for juniors and seniors, named in tribute to two of our founders, inspire students to contemplate how they can enact positive change within their community.
With your continued financial support, we can expand our programs and offer more resources, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities. Your donations have a profound impact on the future success of these students, supporting their passions and providing a clear path to achieve their goals. To make a gift to support our scholarship program, please visit: Join us in Action
Thank you for helping us empower the next generation of leaders.
Marie Whitaker Scholarship for Juniors
Three high school juniors are selected annually to receive a $250 scholarship to offset the costs of application fees for post-secondary programs.
Natalie Hao
Springfield High School
Natalie wrote a compelling essay on the responsibility that comes with the right to vote. She emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between youth and the older generation to foster mutual understanding and societal change. Natalie advocates for using this opportunity to preserve and enhance our society for future generations.
Jafna Uddin
Upper Darby High School
In her essay, Jafna wrote a heartfelt letter to her younger self, offering wisdom and encouragement. She emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes, finding happiness within, living in the moment, and being cautious yet confident. Jafna reassured her younger self to embrace her unique qualities and live with confidence.
Katelyn Wascavage
Penncrest High School
Katelyn wrote a touching letter to her younger self, encouraging her to stay curious, hardworking, and determined. She advised embracing challenges, learning from failures, and being kind to herself. Katelyn emphasized appreciating her unique qualities beyond achievements, and relying on family support. She reminded herself that perfection is unattainable, and being “perfectly imperfect” is something special.
Dorothy James Scholarship for Seniors
Three high school seniors are selected annually to receive a $1,000 scholarship to support their post-secondary plans.
Emiola Enakhimion
The Episcopal Academy
In her essay, Emiola explored educational inequality in her community through her experience as a tutor for OurVillage Tutoring. She observed significant resource gaps between under-resourced schools and her own, particularly affecting African-American and Latino students. Emiola suggests increased instructional time, volunteer involvement, book drives, additional staffing, teacher training, and improved funding for public schools to address these disparities. She envisions a future where every child, regardless of race, class, or location, has equal educational opportunities.
Aditi Halpe
Strath Haven High School
Aditi envisions a society where empathy, critical thinking, and conflict resolution are core educational priorities. She proposes integrating these values into the education system from an early age. Inspired by her fourth-grade teacher and experiences like the “Perspective Swap,” Aditi emphasizes understanding diverse perspectives. Her role as a school board representative and involvement in community service underscore the importance of empathy and civic engagement. She believes that fostering open-mindedness and respectful dialogue will drive positive societal change and create a more inclusive future.
Rosmy Joseph
Springfield High School
In her essay, Rosmy recounts her struggle against discrimination while trying to volunteer at a hospital. Despite facing prejudice due to her identity, she persisted with the support of her father. This experience highlighted for her the broader issue of healthcare inequality. Rosmy is determined to become a medical professional who ensures that everyone, regardless of race or identity, receives the care and respect they deserve. She calls on others to join her in combating workplace discrimination and advocating for equal access to healthcare.
Recognition for Outstanding Leadership
This year, two high school seniors were nominated for their outstanding leadership and awarded a special recognition scholarship of $1,000.
Gabrielle Dove
Archmere Academy
Gabby, from Swarthmore, PA, is a founding member of Archmere Academy’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) club. Nominated by her high school counselor and mentor, she is recognized for advocating for the rights of all, promoting constructive dialogue, and being a voice for the voiceless within her school community.
Gabby will be attending Saint Vincent College in the Fall to pursue a degree in Criminology and Pre-Law. She also will be participating in the ROTC program at SVC and will be the first girl to be in their program.
Leilani Hencinski
Ridley High School
Nominated by her teacher at Ridley High School, Leilani is an inspirational leader and motivational speaker. Known for her sense of personal responsibility and growth, she guides underclassmen with wisdom on academic success, promotes hard work, and demonstrates integrity. A leader within Ridley’s mock trial team, Leilani is passionate about advocating for the rights of others. Leilani is empathetic and altruistic, always ready to help her peers and community, making her a valued role model.
Leilani will be attending Villanova University in the Fall to study Pre-Law.
Claire McGeehan Leadership Award
Named in memory of dedicated MFH board member and long-time educator, Claire Dowdy McGeehan, this multi-year scholarship of $2,000 per year for up to four years is awarded to one Delaware County high school senior nominated for their leadership qualities in the face of adversity.
Francesca Clark
Strath Haven High School
Francesca Clark is a dynamic leader at her school, serving as the President of the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) for two years, promoting diversity and fostering an inclusive environment. As the founder of Unite for Her at Haven, she raises awareness for breast and ovarian cancers through community events and fundraisers. In the words of her teacher who nominated her for this award, “Because of her experiences, she has become a young woman whom others emulate. Students and teachers love to be in Francesca’s presence because she brings so much life and energy to all corners of our school community.”
Francesca will attend the University of South Carolina with a major in Political Science this Fall.