In 2011, Molly Everett graduated from West Springfield High School and was awarded a scholarship from Greenspring retirement community toward her studies in higher education. Molly and her twin sister, Amy, were among 21 local students who received scholarships from Greenspring’s Scholars’ Fund that year. The scholarships helped Molly and Amy with student expenses at the University of Mary Washington (UMW). Now, Molly has returned to Greenspring as the community’s new philanthropy coordinator, helping future student scholars realize their potential.
“I’m coming full circle to give back to something that gave so much to me,” said Molly, who had previously worked for five years as a dining associate at Greenspring.
Molly is one of over 200 students who have received scholarships from Greenspring since 1999, when the Scholars’ Fund was established. The fund provides scholarships to local high school students who have worked in various dining services capacities at Greenspring; in addition to receiving a wage, students can apply for scholarships paid directly to the college or professional school of each student’s choice. The scholarships are presented in an effort to reward exemplary students who have shown a commitment to serving the Greenspring community. To date, more than $2 million in scholarships have been awarded thanks to the residents, staff, and community partners who have donated funds over the years.
Molly started working at Greenspring when she was 15 years old; she provided service during the dinner hours after school four days per week. While in college, she also returned to work at Greenspring during the summers.
“I’ve always loved feeling apart of the community,” said Molly. “I enjoy having conversations with the residents and seeing their smiling faces or bringing a smile to them.”
During her time at UMW, Molly studied anthropology and social justice, and even completed a study abroad program in Guyana, where she lived in an Amazonian village conducting field research for her senior thesis. She has always been interested in philanthropy and fostering relationships, which is what interested her in her new position at Greenspring.
“I love the idea of distributing gifts,” said Molly. “There’s so much attached to the source and the cause of those gifts. I am excited to play a part in making everyone feel appreciated.”
This May, Molly will play an integral role in helping to distribute Greenspring scholarships to the class of 2016.