Life is not fair. Nor does it discriminate.
While it’s hard enough for adults to cope when the bottom drops out, it is infinitely harder for an adolescent. Truly, nothing can erase tragedies, but recognizing a teenager’s courage and grace in dealing with it is what the Damien James Shea Foundation does.
Every year--without the students' knowledge—high schools nominate student for grants from the DJS Foundation. Counselors and teachers meet to select students who, during the year, have had to deal with issues that they are seemingly too young to have. In doing so, these students have shown a remarkable maturity.
The DJS grant is not an academic award. The only academic requirement is that the student has remained in school during the year.
At an assembly, the student is publicly recognized and given an envelope of cash, with no strings attached.
It’s a simple recognition for a remarkable young man or woman.
View the award recipients2003-2004 School Year
George “Randy” McGowan
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2004-2005 School Year
Nigel Munson
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2005-2006 School Year
Peter Chorbajian and Kyle Rippeon
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2006-2007 School Year
Philip Damron
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2007-2008 School Year
Matt Miller
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2008-2009 School Year
Brandon Fitzgerald
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2009-2010 School Year
Matthew May
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2010-2011 School Year
Andrew Eck
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2011-2012 School Year
Emily Biery
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
Olney, Maryland
Troye Bullock
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
Bria Green
Elizabeth Seton High School
Bladensburg, Maryland
Sasha Moore
Gatlinburg-Pittman High School
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Aron Chick
Dodge County High School
Eastman, Georgia
Zach Danforth
Dodge County High School
Eastman, Georgia
Grayson Pooser
Summerville High School
Summerville, South Carolina
2012-2013 School Year
Antonio Pino
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
Olney, Maryland
2012-2013 School Year
Melissa Barrera
Elizabeth Seton High School
Bladensburg, Maryland
2013-2014 School Year
Ross Tschiffely
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2013-2014 School Year (Cont'd)
Sarah Larkin
Elizabeth Seton High School
Bladensburg, Maryland
2014-2015 School Year
Campbell Schmucker
Elizabeth Seton High School
Bladensburg, Maryland
Isaas Tesunbi
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2015-2016 School Year
Jack Von Kannon
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
Nicole Herrera
Elizabeth Seton High School
Bladensburg, Maryland
2016-2017 School Year
Jemel Hedego
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
Enya Carter
Elizabeth Seton High School
Bladensburg, Maryland
2017-2018 School Year
Christopher McKinney
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
Patrick McKinney
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
Sidni Vernon
Elizabeth Seton High School
Bladensburg, Maryland
2018-2019 School Year
Alex Solmeron
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
Scott Gales
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
Alyssa Anderson
Elizabeth Seton High School
Bladensburg, Maryland
2019-2020 School Year
Bryan Guzman
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2020-2021 School Year
Fernando Castillo Zelaya
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2021-2022 School Year
Time Taylor
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
2022-2023 School Year
7th and 8th Grade Classes
Saint Francis International School
Silver Spring, Maryland
Ivan Dmytriiev & Nile Hopes
DeMatha Catholic High School
Hyattsville, Maryland
Since 2004, the DJS Foundation has been a small, family-run philanthropic organization, awarding between $250 to $400 cash gifts to students who fit the bill. Today the Foundation is a non-profit, educational 501 (c)3 organization, accepting tax deductible donations and widening its giving-circle.
A hundred percent of all donations go directly to finding and rewarding students. Receipts are available for donations.
Contact us by email below.
We can also be reached at 401 Beech Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912.
Email Us