Janet Hardy Memorial Scholarship Fund
When Janet Hardy was killed in a car crash involving a drunk driver in 2003, her mother Deb wanted to do something which would honor her memory. Janet, who was 13 at the time, was a talented soccer player, and had played on the JV girls team at Perryville that fall.
"The Janet Hardy Memorial Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to graduating seniors in Harford and Cecil counties while educating the community against the dangers of impaired driving," said Deb Hardy. "We awarded our first scholarships in 2004"
The foundation hold its big event in April every year before proms and graduations, with the hope that they can bring awareness about drinking and driving before these events. The event is centered around a series of indoor soccer games involving local high schools. A unique aspect of the event is that the high schools do not play against each other, they play against police officers and firemen. The idea stemmed from Janet's father being a Maryland State Trooper at the time of the crash.
"The Maryland State Police assisted with the funeral services and financial needs following the crash. I wanted to do something to bring the troopers and Janet's friends together to celebrate Janet's life and that is when I approached the Northeast Barracks and asked them to play a soccer game against teens for to raise scholarship funds," said Hardy. "Our first game was held April 2004. It was such a successful and fun day that we have continued every year since. The event has grown to playing 10 games and including multiple state police barracks, the Harford County Sheriffs Office and Cecil Fire and Rescue. I've found over the years that the teens look forward to playing against the officers and firemen. It helps to foster positive relationships and a positive level of respect for our men and women in uniform."
The foundation sends out applications to the different high schools in Harford and Cecil counties. The applications are then evaluated by a selection committee, which along with academics, takes community service, family involvement and plans for their futures into account. The winners get a $1,000 scholarship. For 2015, the foundation selected six recipients: Beth Johnson (North Harford), Sarah Dickerson (North Harford), Jessica Littlepage (Patterson Mill), Courtney Spangler (Rising Sun), Lane Schmidt (North East) and James Ream (North East).
"The public can help us through tax deductible donations, and by attending the annual event. Our next event will be in April 2015 at the Cecil Arena, and the date will be posted to our Facebook page," said Hardy. "Our event has raffles held during each game and concessions throughout the day. It is a free event to the public."
To learn more about the Janet Hardy Memorial Scholarship Fund, go to this URL: https://www.facebook.com/JanetHardyScholarhship. Deb Hardy also volunteers with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Positive Alternatives to Dangerous and Destructive Decisions (PADDD). She has spoken to high school teens, college students, offenders and officers about the dangers of impaired driving. She is available by request and can be contacted at the Facebook page link above.
"The Janet Hardy Memorial Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to graduating seniors in Harford and Cecil counties while educating the community against the dangers of impaired driving," said Deb Hardy. "We awarded our first scholarships in 2004"
The foundation hold its big event in April every year before proms and graduations, with the hope that they can bring awareness about drinking and driving before these events. The event is centered around a series of indoor soccer games involving local high schools. A unique aspect of the event is that the high schools do not play against each other, they play against police officers and firemen. The idea stemmed from Janet's father being a Maryland State Trooper at the time of the crash.
"The Maryland State Police assisted with the funeral services and financial needs following the crash. I wanted to do something to bring the troopers and Janet's friends together to celebrate Janet's life and that is when I approached the Northeast Barracks and asked them to play a soccer game against teens for to raise scholarship funds," said Hardy. "Our first game was held April 2004. It was such a successful and fun day that we have continued every year since. The event has grown to playing 10 games and including multiple state police barracks, the Harford County Sheriffs Office and Cecil Fire and Rescue. I've found over the years that the teens look forward to playing against the officers and firemen. It helps to foster positive relationships and a positive level of respect for our men and women in uniform."
The foundation sends out applications to the different high schools in Harford and Cecil counties. The applications are then evaluated by a selection committee, which along with academics, takes community service, family involvement and plans for their futures into account. The winners get a $1,000 scholarship. For 2015, the foundation selected six recipients: Beth Johnson (North Harford), Sarah Dickerson (North Harford), Jessica Littlepage (Patterson Mill), Courtney Spangler (Rising Sun), Lane Schmidt (North East) and James Ream (North East).
"The public can help us through tax deductible donations, and by attending the annual event. Our next event will be in April 2015 at the Cecil Arena, and the date will be posted to our Facebook page," said Hardy. "Our event has raffles held during each game and concessions throughout the day. It is a free event to the public."
To learn more about the Janet Hardy Memorial Scholarship Fund, go to this URL: https://www.facebook.com/JanetHardyScholarhship. Deb Hardy also volunteers with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Positive Alternatives to Dangerous and Destructive Decisions (PADDD). She has spoken to high school teens, college students, offenders and officers about the dangers of impaired driving. She is available by request and can be contacted at the Facebook page link above.
| July 20th, 2015 | By: Wick Eisenberg |