Colin J. Haller Scholarship Recipients

2024: Kayleigh Bolen, Havre de Grace High School

Kayleigh was in the top 7.5% of her class at Havre de Grace High School while completing college classes and participating in several extracurricular activities. A member of the National Honors Society, Student Government Association, Best Buddies, Tri-M Music Honors Society, and the Varsity Club, she also served as captain of the varsity volleyball and lacrosse teams. In the fall, she will attend University of Maryland to study biomedical sciences with plans to pursue a PhD in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

2023: Katelyn Houston, Harford Technical High School

Katelyn earned straight A’s at Harford Technical High School while participating in five honor societies and serving as Vice President of the World Culture Club. As a dual-enrolled student at Harford Community College, she maintained a 4.0 GPA, earned 23 college credits, was accepted into Phi Theta Kappa, and received her nursing assistant certification. She completed an internship at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. In a letter of recommendation, one of her teachers noted that “Katelyn is one to go above and beyond in making sure that her assigned residents receive superior nursing care.” In the fall, she will attend Towson University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree while working as a certified nursing assistant close to campus. In the future, she hopes to work as travel nurse and ultimately become a pediatric nurse practitioner.

2022: Paige Sullivan, Havre de Grace High School

Paige maintained a rigorous schedule in the biomedical sciences program at Havre de Grace High School. Her accomplishments include straight A’s throughout high school (including 9 AP classes), secretary of the National Honors Society, a three-sport varsity athlete (soccer, swim, and lacrosse), historian of the Key Club, and many community service activities. Like Colin, she spent her summers as a lifeguard. In the fall she will attend Shepherd University to study nursing. She plans to become a registered nurse and work in a hospital. One of her teachers in a letter of recommendation noted “she understands the importance of setting her sights high and working hard to achieve her goals.”

2021: KATY BROOKS, HAVRE DE GRACE HIGH SCHOOL

Straight A student, varsity athlete, and musician Katy Brooks will attend Wilkes University to study psychology. One of her letters of recommendation noted “Katy’s desire to be involved and succeed will serve her well with her planned major in psychology. Her ability to self-reflect while empathizing with others will be a great complement to that field.” She aspires to earn a PhD in clinical psychology and help others as a therapist specializing in teens and young adults with anxiety and depression.

2020: Madison Kramer, North Harford High School

Madison graduated first in her class while challenging herself through rigorous AP classes, studying and teaching dance, and volunteering at hospitals and a physical therapy practice. Her teachers describe her as dedicated, enthusiastic, and passionate. Her essay detailed an experience that inspired her—witnessing someone she loves regain strength through physical therapy and the care doctors provided. She wrote, "to even have the chance to change one person’s life for the better is enough for me to commit, but the fact that I could help many, many people as well? That is exactly what drew me into this field." With her natural drive and curiosity, we know she will be successful. She plans to study physical therapy at Ithaca College this fall.  

2019: Madison Watson, Havre de Grace High School

Madison’s heartfelt essay on her passion for helping others and her career aspirations to be a nurse immediately grabbed the review committee’s attention. “My passion is giving back to others and making a thumbprint on their life,” she wrote. “Becoming a nurse is one of the few careers where I can do that and in a time when people really need you the most. I look forward to one day someone coming up to me and saying, ‘you made a very difficult time better, and you made my illness not such a bad thing after all.’” Madison served on the Harford County Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, was secretary of the Havre de Grace Youth Commission, made the Distinguished Principal’s Honor Roll every quarter of high school, and volunteered at events to raise funds for Eagles Fly for Leukemia. Madison is attending Towson University in the fall to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. 

2018: Allison Frick, Havre de Grace High School

Allison was a clear standout in the amazing amount of applications we received for this year’s scholarship. She is a varsity swimmer that always challenges herself to improve in and out of the pool. At the top of her class, she maintains excellent grades and an academically challenging schedule. She is deeply caring of others and wants to help people in both big and small ways. We were delighted to hear at the Senior Awards Ceremony that she is also an Al Cesky Scholarship winner. Colin also received this scholarship, awarded for excelling in academics and athletics, of which he was particularly proud. She is pursuing a degree in respiratory therapy from Salisbury College and hopes that her work as a respiratory therapist will her to travel.

2017: Sara Decker, Aberdeen High School

Sara excelled academically, earning a 4.0 unweighted GPA while taking 15 honors and AP classes. She ran cross country and track and field, serving as captain, setting two school records and qualifying for states. Her resume is extensive and also includes All-County/State Choir member, public relations officer for the National Honor Society, and several community service projects. Sara begins the Applied Science Program at Wheaton College this fall. After earning her bachelor's degree from Wheaton, she aspires to attend the University of North Carolina to pursue master's degree in nutrition, working towards her ultimate goal of becoming a sports nutritionist. When she walked onto the stage at Aberdeen High School's Senior Awards Ceremony to accept the scholarship, the first thing she said to us was that she had read Colin's story online and was so happy we had chosen her. We think he would be proud.