Knott scholar at Calvert Hall pays it forward

Some outreaches bear the name of a long-gone philanthropist. Some are the brainchild of, well, a child.

Making his figurative way from School of the Incarnation in Gambrills to Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, where he is a freshman, Scott Pawley wondered: wouldn’t it be great if something similar to the Knott Scholarship Funds he had earned were available to students in special education and inclusion programs in the Archdiocese of Baltimore?

Several fundraising drives and dozens of phone and online conversations later, Pawley’s inspiration came to fruition in the form of the Knott CARES (Catholic Academic Resource Enrichment Scholarship) Fund. Its logistics are intricate, substantial and begin when he was barely a teen himself.

Pawley’s extended family includes an uncle/godfather, Father Edward Fitzgerald, a priest of the Diocese of Charleston, S.C., and a cousin with autism who attends a public high school in Aiken, S.C.

“I know how difficult it can be for people with special needs to get the education they need,” Pawley said. “When I learned that most of the resource programs at Catholic schools cost an additional fee, I realized that it would be difficult for people with financial need.”

Already a two-time recipient of four-year Knott scholarships for “academically talented Catholic students” who reside in the archdiocese, Pawley found a willing supporter there, but with a catch. Knott is an endowed fund, and by law cannot accept donations. Its Knott Scholar Council offered space on its web page and connected Pawley with the Catholic Community Foundation (CCF), which provides financial support to parishes, schools and ministries of the archdiocese, and is managing Knott CARES.

For every two dollars raised, the CCF adds a dollar to the fund. Pawley’s fundraising began at School of the Incarnation and Holy Family Parish in Davidsonville, where he has been an altar server, and his father, Jason, sings in the choir.

“One weekend Scott spoke at all the Masses,” said Father Andy Aaron, the pastor of Holy Family. “It was well done, and came off professionally. He seems like a very sharp kid.”

Pawley lives in southern Anne Arundel County, and he and his brother, Grant, a sophomore, have a 75-minute drive to Calvert Hall. Pawley was attracted by its McMullen Scholars Program. He is active in speech and debate.

“I really like cross examination,” he said. “I enjoy asking questions. I like arguing with people.”

Surfing the web while researching his own educational options, Pawley came upon the PRIDE (Pupils Receiving Inclusive Diversified Education) program, which was then offered at St. Michael-St. Clement in Overlea, St. Mark in Catonsville and St. John Regional Catholic in Frederick.

According to Denise Garman, director of Student Support Services for the Department of Catholic Schools, that program has been updated, with each school giving it a distinct name.

Pawley’s hope is that Knott CARES comes to include grants to financially challenged families to any of the many elementary schools which offer programs for students with learning differences. The initial $2,600 Knott CARES scholarships went to students at St. Michael-St. Clement School.

“I’m blown away by the generosity of a student,” said Paul Kristoff, its principal.

What amazes Garman is the initiative shown by Pawley, who turned 15 in March.

“I talk to a lot of parents,” Garman said. “His mom (Mary), was pretty laid back. It was obvious that she was just assisting him. He seems like an amazing kid, a model of what many of our students can become. Scott is thinking of others. He’s assisting us, by deepening our ability to serve our students.”

COVID-19 has delayed some of Pawley’s fundraising, and forced him to explore other sources.

“I’m looking into grant-writing,” he said.

For more information, visit knottscholar.org/knott-cares

Email Paul McMullen at pmcmullen@CatholicReview.org

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