Join us for Haverford Township Day on Saturday, October 4, 2025
Winning Scholarship Essays
The following 4 essays were winners of the 2025 Essay Scholarship.
Sophia Ayoub
To me, community is more than a place; it’s a feeling of empowerment,
connection, and shared growth. It means being part of something larger than
yourself, where people come together to support, uplift, and inspire each
other. I’ve been fortunate to experience this kind of community throughout
my life, starting from a young age and continuing into my senior year of high
school.
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Some of my earliest memories of community come from playing youth
sports. I participated in Hilltop Softball, where coaches and volunteers gave
their time not just to teach the game, but to shape us into better people. We
were encouraged to be team players, to cheer for each other’s progress, and
most of all, to have fun. One of the most cherished traditions was Opening
Day, when all the teams paraded through the streets together, surrounded by
proud families and neighbors. That energy, full of excitement, pride, and
togetherness, has stayed with me ever since.
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Havertown, my hometown, is where I’ve truly learned the power of
community. A few years ago, when a local student was diagnosed with
cancer, the entire town rallied behind her and her family. People across
Havertown and even neighboring towns placed green porch lights in their
windows as a sign of support. The symbol spread far beyond our borders,
even reaching other countries. A nighttime 5K run was organized in her
honor, bringing together hundreds of people, many of them complete
strangers who simply wanted to show they cared. Witnessing that outpouring
of kindness showed me the true heart of community: stepping up for others
without expecting anything in return.
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Throughout my life, I’ve been shaped by this spirit of giving back. I started
volunteering at Manoa Elementary School, helping with the school gardens to
beautify our shared space. I joined the Girl Scouts, where I learned to serve
others, face challenges head-on, and strive to make the world a better place.
Those early lessons have guided my path ever since.
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As I prepare to graduate from Haverford High School, I carry these
experiences with me. In the fall of 2025, I will attend the University ofDelaware, where I plan to major in Finance. My goal is to become a business
leader who not only succeeds professionally but also gives back meaningfully
to the community around me.
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This year, I’ve been an active member of several student organizations that
reflect my values. I joined Future Business Leaders of America to build my
leadership skills and career readiness. I volunteered with Haverford Against
Hunger, supporting local food banks. I am also proud to be a member of the
Science National Honor Society and the National Business Honor Society.
Community has given me roots, purpose, and a strong foundation. Now, I’m
ready to grow further and continue giving back wherever life takes me.
The JDM Foundation Scholarship would mean so much to me and my family
as we continue to search for much needed funding to supplement the rising
costs of tuition, housing, books, and meal plans. Thank you for the
opportunity to apply.
Annie Boyle
Community is not just the people within a geographical border of a town or a group of
kids that attend the same school. Community cannot be defined solely by observing similar characteristics among individuals. Put simply, community is the choice that a group of people make to bond and support each other. Community is incredibly important to me because it embodies the strength and resilience that comes from people supporting each other, especially when times get tough. The sense of belonging and shared purpose that a community provides creates a safety net, catching us when we are in need and encouraging us to persevere.
Communities instill a sense of security and purpose within an individual. Collective
support can truly help us navigate through difficult times and come out stronger together. In 2022, my mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Following her diagnosis, so many people in the community supported me and my family, and I realized the immense impact that simple acts of kindness from others can have during a difficult time. I now volunteer my time fundraising for the Kevin Cain Memorial Foundation through an annual event called “Fords Fight for Life,” that I lead at my high school. This event means so much more to me than just a football game or a typical fundraiser. At the event we honor local families dealing with the burden of various medical diagnoses. The event allows me, and many other hardworking volunteers and sponsors, to bring a smile to the face of local families going through immense hardship. I continued my work giving back to those in my community this summer through a volunteer program at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. This program allowed me to work in a hospital setting and directly interact with patients and their families. The simple gesture of bringing kids snacks and playing with them while the parents took some time to themselves brought the families a moment of repose and happiness. This experience provided me with a new outlook on life and a set of interpersonal skills that I did not previously possess through helping others in need. My
volunteer work has taught me how important it is to make connections with those around me and learn what I can do to support them.
I hope to continue to be a part of a community that supports one another as I begin my college journey. I am planning to join a sorority and am eager to get involved in making a positive impact on the campus and local community. I am very excited about the sorority's commitment to philanthropy and service, and I hope to be a part of a chapter that works with local children’s hospitals or family services. I value community because it allows me to create lasting memories, build a strong support network, and grow into a more confident and well-rounded individual by surrounding myself with people who encourage me to be the best version of myself.
Nick Petrucci
Community means being part of something bigger than yourself. Staying engaged and involved allows you to give back. As a proud Senior at Haverford High School, I have learned how these values help build community. I have been a member of my school’s Interact Community Service Club for the past three years. As such, I was fortunate to take part in many worthwhile events which have helped our local community and beyond.
I was happy to be involved with several events which brought enjoyment and encouragement to our local children. I have volunteered for the past several years at the Karakung Kids Triathlon Event, the Lynnewood Elementary School Trunk-or-Treat, the Haverford High School Halloween Carnival, the Healthy Kids Running Series, the Paddock Park Fall Festival, and the Harlem Wizards Basketball Touring Show. The best part of the experience for me was seeing their smiling faces, which made everything so rewarding.
I have also been fortunate to be able to give back to our community by supporting local families in need. I have donated and collected Toiletries for the Grands Stepping Up organization, the Haverford High School Food Drive and Clothing Drive, the Coat Drive for One Warm Coat Organization, and the Toy Drive for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Knowing you are a part of something bigger than yourself and helping others in need is very meaningful.
In addition, I have had the privilege to participate in various activities which have honored some of our most valued community members. I have written Holiday cards for the residents at the Quadrangle Senior Living Community. I have helped make blankets for the Linus Project. I have also participated at an event writing appreciation letters to our local First Responders. Staying connected to valued members of the community is an important part of who I am.
I have also enjoyed volunteering at other various events like the Philadelphia Distance Run, making dog treats for the Providence Animal Shelter, helping out at the Grange Estate’s WinterFest and the Karakung Heritage Festival. Through these events, I made many valuable friendships and made lifelong memories.
Lastly, being heavily highly involved in my Haverford High School community has been very rewarding. I am a Cross Country Athlete, President of the National Business Honor Society, member of the National Honor Society, Co-CFO and Sports Analytics Director for Haverford Sports Media and State Champion and National Qualifier for the Future Business Leaders of America. I have also been voted Most Involved Student by the Class of 2025 Senior Superlatives. Finally, I have proudly been accepted to and have enrolled in college at The Pennsylvania State University. I am excited to bring this sense of community into my next chapter at Penn State.
Community means being part of something bigger than yourself. Staying involved and giving back has been extremely satisfying. On a personal level, social interaction hasn’t always been easy for me as I have Autism. However, staying so engaged has helped me and given me a sense of community which I am forever grateful for. Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for this scholarship. If lucky enough to be selected, I look forward to attending the award ceremony in person at the McCall Golf Club on
June 9, 2025.
Jimmy Fusaro
Over a million high school athletes play football in the U.S. each year, but not every team gets to experience what we did that Friday night in Haverford, Pennsylvania.
It was senior year. The air was cold, the lights were bright, and the roar of the crowd was unforgettable. We were about to play our school's first-ever home playoff game. Just one season earlier, we had finished 1–9. Many people could’ve written us off, but our community didn’t. Our neighbors, teachers, coaches, and the JDM Foundation stood by us. That support helped us believe in ourselves. I realized that community isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up, encouraging others, and standing with them when it matters most. I’ve felt that from Haverford in more ways than I can count.
I give back to my community in everything I do. As a Haverford Student Athlete General
Leadership Committee member, I mentor younger athletes, help plan events, and promote school spirit. Through my job at Drexelbrook Event Center, I’ve seen how belonging can be built through small, consistent actions—showing respect, taking pride in your work, and making people feel welcome.
Some of my most important lessons about community came off the field. When I was young, my uncle passed away from an overdose. My cousins moved in with us, and even as a kid, I could feel how much they were hurting. I did everything I could to make them smile. A few years later, I learned my grandfather had also battled addiction. He found recovery and now helps others through his organization, Recovery on Reed. Volunteering there taught me the power of second chances and the impact of a community that never gives up on people.
Those experiences fueled my dream of studying business at Susquehanna University. After graduating, I plan to return to Haverford and build a company that creates jobs for everyone: young people just starting out, parents returning to work, people in recovery, and anyone needing someone to take a chance on them. I want to offer the kind of support this community gave me.
I believe that dream is possible because I’ve watched my mom live it. As a small business owner, she built something from the ground up while raising my twin brother and me. She’s shown me what hard work and leadership look like, and I carry that example with me every day. She’s proof that entrepreneurship can open doors for not just one person, but for whole families and communities.
I was excited to learn that the JDM Foundation supports the Young Entrepreneurs Academy. It means a lot to see that you're not just helping students—you’re helping dreams like mine grow into something real.
Community has shaped who I am. It’s why I believe in lifting others, in second chances, and in building something that gives back. One day, I hope to create that kind of community for others.