Each year, Northwood alumni Penelope Hall Przekop awards a senior Falcon with a scholarship in honor and memory of her brother, John Hall, also a NHS alumni. Ms. Przekop created the scholarship to “spotlight the value of personal courage and the profound impact it has not only on the path our lives take but also on the quality of that life.” Ms. Przekop has given a substantial scholarship to a senior each year since she created the award in 2018. Past Northwood alumni who earned the John and Penelope Hall scholarship include Amelia Clifton, Matthew Terry, Caige Greis, Will Merritt, Hannah Oakes, Taylor Bryn Wright, Abigail Clifton, and Isabella Subias. This year’s recipient of the John and Penelope Hall Courage Award is senior Kaylee Godbey. Kaylee is deeply honored to be given the opportunity to share her journey of courage and to receive the scholarship this year. She has shared a few words below expressing her thoughts on this esteemed award. Congratulations, Kaylee!
“It was an absolute honor to be awarded the Be Courageous Award. Hearing the story of the Hall family, the perseverance, and of course, courage through times of grief and strife, very heavily resonated with me. Normally, I am very reserved in my feelings about the sensitive part of my life, but I took a chance and decided to write my own submission for the scholarship. Sitting down and putting my story into something physical brought a lot of clarity and a renewed sense of gratitude for everything I endured, as well as for the people and community who lifted me to new heights without even realizing their impact. This scholarship was unique in that it allowed me to truly see my growth not as something linear, but as an abstract plane of highs and lows that has ultimately shaped me into something better than I had even thought possible. I have been beyond blessed not only to receive the Courage Award scholarship, but also to experience the trials and opportunities that have helped me reach where I am today.” Kaylee Godbey
To access prior winning entries, visit the scholarship’s web page.