Make a Gift
Stephanie Franklin knew she wanted to be a teacher since the third grade. She also knew she wanted to come to St. Mary's and so applied for early decision.
During her senior year in high school, Stephanie also applied for a Maryland state HOPE scholarship, which covers some college costs and expects the recipient to work full-time as a classroom teacher in a public school in Maryland upon graduation.
Two months before she was to begin at St. Mary's, Stephanie got a letter in the mail stating that "due to insufficient funds," she would not receive a HOPE scholarship. She and her family didn't think she was going to be able to go to college without the scholarship support. Stephanie's dad got on the telephone and called "everyone he could think of" to advocate on her behalf.
One of the people he called was Patricia Richardson, then superintendent of St. Mary's County Public Schools. Dr. Richardson called Torre Meringolo, vice president for development at the College. As she explained Stephanie's situation, it was clear to Torre that Stephanie was at risk of "falling through the cracks" financially and losing her opportunity for a college education. He and Paula Mitchell, director of major gifts, knew that the Bodycomb Scholarship was just the thing for Stephanie. Stephanie then got another letter in the mail: this one from St. Mary's, stating that she was being awarded a Bodycomb scholarship. "I was very surprised and so happy," Stephanie remembers.
During her first year at St. Mary's, Stephanie found that economics was her hardest course, and English composition her favorite. She loved chorus and knew she made the right decision in coming here. She graduated with honors in May 2006.
Today, Stephanie finds herself doing what she has wanted to since the third grade - being a teacher. She teaches seventh grade reading and language arts at Spring Ridge Spring Ridge Middle School in St. Mary's County.
"Receiving the scholarship was a great honor! I was very excited because, at the time, my need for financial assistance had largely increased after an expected scholarship from the state fell through.
With my degree from St. Mary's College, I have been able to begin the career I've wanted ever since third grade--an English teacher. I began working at Spring Ridge Middle School in January 2007 as a seventh grade reading/language arts teacher. My learning experiences at St. Mary's greatly influenced my life and continue to do so."
Stephanie Franklin
Reading/Language Arts Teacher
Spring Ridge Middle School
