The Derek Thomson Sheely Leadership Award
Derek was a remarkable leader and this award honors his spirit of genuine concern for others. Derek understood that leaders acquire influence as a result of the quality of their relationships and the respect they give to others. He understood that influence is much more enduring than power. Never complacent, he strove for excellence and the desire to achieve a thoughtful, deep, and complex understanding of issues. Derek was a leader who didn’t seek the spotlight but rather sought to help others achieve their full potential.
This prestigious award recognizes excellence in the classroom and in the community and is presented to the Frostburg State University Junior with a grade point average of 3.40 and above who best exemplifies the qualities of leadership that Derek demonstrated. The award includes a $2,000* scholarship and the requirement for 40 hours of community service to increase the awareness and research of concussions and traumatic brain injuries, with a focus on youth sports.
*FSU will provide sufficient funding to enable The Derek Thomson Sheely Leadership Award to be increased to a full-tuition scholarship for a minimum of 10 years, and potentially longer, to begin on or before the 2017-2018 academic year.
Ciera Davisson
The winner of the 2023 Derek Thomson Sheely Leadership Award is Ciera Davisson. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA and working toward a degree in Elementary/Middle School with a specialization in Mathematics, Ciera is the first in her family to go to college. She is the president of the Frostburg State Education Association, and this leadership role prompted her to organize a campaign to advocate for a bill that would grant a stipend for student teaching internships in Maryland. This endeavor was successful: As a result of Ciera’s efforts, the bill passed, and starting this July, seven Maryland universities will award stipends to student teachers.
Ciera writes, “…leadership has allowed me to be creative and find ways to get my peers involved in issues we face inside and outside of the classroom.” One creative and unique idea she has planned is to provide instruction for future teachers on the signs of TBI so that they could learn to recognize symptoms in the classroom.
It’s clear that Ciera works tirelessly to inspire others and to have a meaningful, positive impact on her community.
Congratulations, Ciera!
Hayden McLaughlin
The winner of the 2022 Derek Thomson Sheely Leadership Award is Hayden McLaughlin. He holds a 3.6 GPA and is working toward a degree in Elementary/Middle School Dual Certification with a specialization in Social Studies. Hayden plays catcher on the Frostburg State baseball team, volunteers with youth sports teams, and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. According to Head Baseball Coach Anthony Williams, “I’ve had many players throughout my coaching career, but [no one] fits the description of the Derek Sheely Award better than Hayden.”
Hayden writes, “To me, a leader [doesn’t base] success only on what they are achieving, but also on the success and joy of others…[You are leading] just by being a good person all the time no matter who is around or if you will receive any recognition for it…My parents taught me at a very young age that the greatest joy in the world is having the chance to help others succeed.
“I am looking forward to working with youth sports teams and stressing the importance of recognizing head injuries and the severity that can come with a concussion. The effects of a concussion at a young age can have long term effects on a person throughout their life. Therefore, we must take these injuries seriously and educate the youth and coaches on prevention plans or the necessary steps to follow if diagnosed with a head injury.”
Congratulations, Hayden!
Taylor Hackett
The winner of the 2021 Derek Thomson Sheely Leadership Award is Taylor Hackett. She is pursuing two degrees: one in Psychology and the other in Law and Society with a concentration on Criminal Justice. She volunteers in many activities that serve her community, such as Relay for Life and Special Olympics. She is a dedicated teammate on FSU’s field hockey team and was elected Team Captain her junior year. A recipient of the prestigious Zag Field Hockey Academic Award, Taylor is a leader on the field and in the classroom, excelling academically with a 3.47 GPA.
Taylor suffered a traumatic brain injury in a field hockey game her sophomore year, and ever since has coped with lingering symptoms. This harrowing experience helped her realize how to shine even more as a leader, that no matter what obstacles she faces, she will endeavor “to take charge and lead.” In her essay on leadership she writes, “I like to work hard, silently. I think the best work is work that is done without the need for any recognition, thanks, or anything in return….”
“I am honored to receive this award, and I am excited to be able to spread awareness about concussions in Derek’s name. This is a serious issue among athletes of all ages that should be addressed more often in the sports industry. With this award I plan to open the eyes of athletes about the severity of head injuries in hopes to increase the number of reported concussions to prevent minor ones from becoming severe,” Taylor said.
Congratulations, Taylor!
Derek Staines
The 2020 winner of the Award is Derek Staines. He’s been described as personable, hard-working, and resilient, bringing contagious energy and positivity to the classroom. He holds a 3.6 GPA, and has an upbeat attitude and positive outlook despite the challenges he has faced when most would have just given up.
In his essay he writes, ”The floor is my bed. Growing up well below the poverty line, being homeless at times in my life, and watching my family struggle has forced me to make the floor my bed. In high school, I relied on school lunches to feed me, claimed to be homeless, and slept on the floor of a cold basement at my grandfather’s house…Because of this, it has become such a struggle fitting in with those around me…However, because of my motivation to always do better, I have made it possible to succeed in everything I do.”
As a freshman Derek was voted team captain of FSU’s Men’s soccer team, and it’s his experience as a student-athlete that compels his personal commitment to concussion awareness. He’s held leadership positions in the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and has served as a student success mentor. He was recently elected President of the Student Support Services student executive board.
He writes, “My ultimate goal has been to make an impact on the community and the people that surround me. As a result of my leadership experiences, I now have confidence in myself.”
Congratulations, Derek!
Recent Update: Despite the pandemic, Derek fulfilled his service requirement and produced an educational video to share with coaches, athletes, and their parents (please see below). He also reached out to Athletic Directors across Maryland and shared his concussion awareness materials with them. Derek is about to begin a Master’s program in Social Work, continuing in his mission to help others.
Gwendolin Schemm
The 2019 Derek Thomson Sheely Leadership Award was presented to Gwendolin Schemm. She is a leader in the classroom and excels academically with a 4.0 GPA. She is active in the Frostburg community as a peer mentor, an undergraduate learning assistant, a student alumni ambassador, the editor-in-chief of The Bottom Line, and a starter on the FSU soccer team. In addition to those accomplishments, she was selected to attend the prestigious Sloop Leadership Institute conference. This is all very impressive, but it was her essay about “finding her voice” that really “spoke” to us.
She writes, “…[At first,] I did not think my voice mattered…[However,] I have grown into someone who has found her voice…Sometimes…the voice they need is the one with no words, the one that only listens…My voice has become stronger and more confident. I have a platform to represent the underrepresented…[and I] also draw attention to issues that may otherwise go unnoticed…There is a purpose to my voice…”
Congratulations, Gwen!
Recent Update: “I created a trifold and a flyer sharing information about concussions and the Derek Sheely Foundation… [see below]… I took the trifold and handed out flyers at basketball games at Bishop Walsh High School and Allegany High School, flyers were sent to the tennis coach at Mountain Ridge, and I handed out flyers and gave a ten-minute talk about concussions at FSU’s Girls in Sports Day.”
Colten Winner
The 2018 winner of the Award is Colten Winner, a leader in the classroom and excelling academically with a 3.8 GPA. He is self-driven and determined, working 20 hours a week to pay his way through college. And he is active in causes to help others, volunteering for the community. He has an excellent reputation, as his professor described him as a:
“…remarkable young man…[who] is no stranger to hard work…a man of character…[who] is courteous and thoughtful…bright and talented…[and] civic-minded.”
Congratulations, Colten!
Recent Update: Colten continued with the flag football tournament and fundraiser again this year, which will be handed off to next year’s winner. We were also able to reconnect with him at the Derek Sheely Conference in April 2019.
Johana Gourdin
Johana “J” Gourdin is the 2017 winner of the Award. She is involved in Americorps, Students for Women’s Issues, Student Government, Overcome Frostburg, and many other groups that serve her community. J is passionate about and active in causes to help others, especially marginalized people. She herself is a concussion-brain injury survivor.
Her essay for the Award made us laugh and cry. In it she wrote:
“Growing up my…dream jobs were to be a lawyer…a teacher…an artist. I currently find myself trying to blend the three…to reach audiences and teach them to be more conscious of the world around them.”
Congratulations, J!
Recent Update: J organized a flag football tournament in Spring 2018 and also designed a wristband for participants and spectators; unfortunately, the event was rained out. Nevertheless, she will hand off her plans to next year’s winner to lead.
Valerie Ehimhen
The 2016 winner of the Award is an incredible individual. Valerie Ehimhen has a cumulative GPA of 3.96, is a Senator for the Student Government Association, Academic Excellence Chair for the National Society of Black Engineers, a 2015 SLOOP Leadership program participant, and tutors students in economics.
In her essay for the Award, she wrote:
“[I have] a passion to help students better themselves…Sometimes all a person needs is a little encouragement…I believed in him and I saw great potential in him.”
Recent Update: Valerie held a fundraiser for the Foundation with her sorority Phi Eta Sigma.
alanna Hirshman
The 2015 recipient of the Award is Alanna Hirshman. She has a cumulative GPA of 4.0, is President of the Society for Human Resource Management, Vice President of the Student Pride Committee, accepted into the SLOOP Leadership program, and represented Beta Gamma Sigma National Business Schools Honor Society at the National Leadership Forum in San Diego. In addition, she studied aboard in Ecuador, tutored students in economics, and is studying to become a professor of business and economics.
In her essay for the Award, she wrote:
“Happiness to me is when a young student who has been struggling and has given up on themselves, finally has that moment when everything clicks. That moment when you know all of the hours of studying with them and pep talks have paid off…That moment, is…when I know I have become a leader that has made a difference in someone’s life for the better…I want to be the leader that changes the lives of these students.”
Congratulations, Alanna!
Jaclyn Franzak
The 2014 Award was presented to Jaclyn Franzak. Jaclyn has a GPA of 3.7, is a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, is a leader on the Frostburg swim team, raised funds for the Relay for Life, and is a member of the President’s Leadership Circle.
In her essay, she cites Lao-Tsu’s philosophy of leadership, with “Some leaders are hated; some leaders are feared…as for the best leaders, the people don’t notice their existence. For when the best leaders’ work is done, the people say ‘we did it ourselves!’ She goes on to write, “Lao-Tsu perfectly describes the kind of leader I aspire to be…leading by example…empowering others…a good leader [who] motivates [others] to drive themselves.”
Congratulations, Jaclyn!
Janelle Walbert
The 2013 Derek Thomson Sheely Leadership Award was presented to Janelle Walbert, an outstanding student and leader. Janelle has a cumulative GPA of 4.0, is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, participated in the Sloop Institute for Excellence in Leadership, raised funds for the Relay for Life, and is the President of the Pre-Professional Medical Society.
In her essay for the Award, she wrote:
“Being President has…taught me how tough it is to be a leader…but how rewarding it is in the end…[Also] being an athletic training student has helped to shape my growth as an individual. I have learned how to take more initiative to do certain tasks. This is vital when it comes to making decisions in emergency situations and in the care, assessment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. The evaluation of athletic injuries has helped to increase my confidence.”
Congratulations, Janelle!
During the ceremony, we presented a check for $40,000 to Frostburg State University to fully endow Derek’s leadership award and scholarship for the future.
Recent update from Janelle: “The last thing I did (to fulfill my hours in honor of Derek) was a concussion presentation to the athletes at Mountain Ridge High School. I also spoke to the gym classes about concussions as well and showed them how to spine board an athlete in an emergency situation. The 4th period was full of older students and they were all athletes who showed a great interest in my presentation. It was really cool to see them get excited about it. I also handed out all of your concussion kits. The kids love them. (Thank you again for putting those together for me.) The Impact and BESS testing that I did earlier seemed to be helpful to the area football teams. I dealt with many coaches when the boys received concussions. It seemed to help remove them from play for the adequate time required and helped to return the players safer to football.”
Max Green
This year’s recipient of the First Annual Derek Thomson Sheely Leadership award is an amazing individual. Max Green is in the Honors Program, active in the community, the President of a county political organization, on the Board of Directors of a non-profit foundation, a member of the student government, and married to his high school sweetheart.
In his essay for the Award, he writes about overcoming obstacles and said: “These experiences have helped me grow as an individual and a citizen. They have taught me the value of caring, acting with respect, having humility, being open, accepting diversity, and truly listening to those around you.”
Congratulations, Max!
Recent Update: Max donated his time to attend and photograph the First Annual Derek Sheely LEAD THE WAY 4.0 Mile Run/Walk, and he contributed to the design of our Concussion Awareness Pamphlet.