Community Trust Foundation

Katie & Molly’s “I Run Because I Love It” Endowed Scholarship Fund

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Katie DeRosa

Katie, 13 years of age, died August 15, 1998, after being struck by a speeding car while running and training for her freshman year of cross-country. Katie is the daughter of Norm and Patty DeRosa and the sister of brothers Matt and Chris, and her beloved sister Emily. Katie always ran hard. Of course, Katie always gave her “all” in everything she did. Katie was an honor student, an accomplished violinist, an award-winning writer, a distinguished and recognized runner, and most importantly, Katie was a kind and loving daughter, sister, grandchild, cousin, niece, godchild, friend, neighbor, citizen, budding humorist, and spiritual being. Katie was also an organ donor. Katie gave the gift of life by donating six organs and gave renewed life to five people. It has been a source of peace for us knowing that Katie has made a difference in the lives of five families.

Written by Carol Payto (Katie’s aunt)

Molly Offstein

Molly Offstein and her big sister, Maddie, were the pride and joy of Western Maryland running, giving their rural high school, Mountain Ridge, five State Champion titles, in addition to State Runner-Up finishes, school records, and national elite times between them.  Coached by Norm Derosa, the Offstein sisters were inspired by Katie’s story and lived out her characteristics serving in their student governments, church summer camps, National Honor Society, and graduating class Valedictorians. More importantly, Molly, like Katie, in a gentle way, emulated the best qualities of a small coal-mining town: true kindness, hard work, humility, grit, and a strong sense of community and family.

In March 2017, while a freshman at Elon University, Molly was crossing a road to the Elon Forest just outside the University gate for a morning long training run, when she was hit head on by a car at 55 mph. She was life-flighted to UNC Chapel Hill where her journey to “Fight as Hard as You Run” began and continues today.  Despite her lingering disabilities from severe trauma to her brain, spine, and left pelvis, she continues to inspire and enlighten those around her.  In joining the Katie Derosa scholarship, Molly hopes to encourage others to live out a dream cut short for her and Katie to further their athletic and academic pursuits beyond high school.  With Determination, Positivity, and Heart…..Run Because You Love It!

Katie & Molly and their passion for running, community involvement, the fine arts, and academics are the force for these scholarships. The funds for these annual awards are provided by donations received at the Katie & Molly Middle School Track and Field Meet for 5th-8th graders in the area, gifts from family and friends of Katie and Molly, and investment earnings from the scholarship endowment fund.

This scholarship is awarded annually to one male and one female in memory of Katie DeRosa & in honor of Molly Offstein to qualified seniors in Allegany County (MD), Garrett County (MD), Hampshire County (WV), or Mineral County (WV) who meet criteria below.

Criteria:

  • Participated in cross county or distance track events for two years or more
  • GPA of 2.8 or higher
  • Exhibits leadership and community involvement

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