The Doran family is pleased to announce the launch of the 2017 Dr. Michael J. Doran Scholarship essay contest.
Applicant Eligibility: Wootton High School seniors who will graduate in May 2017 and attend college or university in the fall. Preference may be given to those who will be first generation college students or who have especially compelling circumstances.
Requirements: An original essay of 750 to 1,000 words, reflecting on one of two quotes.
- Dr. Doran used the following quote from educator James Comer as the footer on most of his emails: "No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship." This statement reflected Dr. Doran's view about the power of interpersonal relationships. Describe a relationship that has challenged you and changed your outlook on life.
- During his 2015 graduation remarks Dr. Doran threw out a challenge to the Wootton graduates. He said, “It sounds so simple, but it’s kinda complex. It’s just be good; do good." When in your life have you faced a challenge where it was difficult to do the right thing, and how did you overcome it?
Submission Deadline: May 5, 2017.
Two awards of $5,000 each (to apply to student's higher education costs) will be announced in mid-May.
Any questions should be sent to: drdoranscholarship@gmail.com.
Dr. Michael Doran was an Irishman proud of
his Irish heritage and culture but he also deeply loved his adopted
homeland. The son of Elsie and Jack Doran, he and his brother Ciaran
grew up in Reading, England. Inspired by an encouraging Headmaster at
Battle Secondary School, Dr. Doran determined early on that education
would be his life's mission. In 1974 he graduated from the University
of Southampton with a degree in Education. He played soccer throughout
his youth and during college. He met his future wife, Kathy Lavinder,
while on holiday on Cape Cod, and moved to the United States to be with
her and begin his career as an educator. Dr. Doran taught in Cambridge
and Brookline, Massachusetts and he was an Assistant Soccer Coach at
Boston College. In 1982 Dr. Doran and his wife moved to New York City where he taught at the Anglo-American School and later served as Headmaster of St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's Upper School in Manhattan. During this period he completed the New York Marathon (in 3 hours and 17 minutes!) and earned a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. The couple's children, Samuel and Emma, were born in New York City. After moving to Maryland in 1987, Dr. Doran was a principal in Fairfax County and at Pyle Middle School in Bethesda. He became the Principal of Thomas Wootton High School in 2003. Always committed to developing future educators, Dr. Doran served as an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University and George Washington University. He enjoyed mentoring and was proud of his many protegees who became principals in Montgomery County Public Schools and elsewhere. In his spare time, Dr. Doran coached Emma's CYO, MSI and travel soccer teams which were comprised of many of the same girls for 12 years. He was an avid life-long Manchester United fan who rarely missed a game and he played recreational soccer well into his 50s. He taught Sunday School at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Potomac for 14 years and also served as a lay reader. Sign Dr. Michael Doran Memory Book Family Members Samuel Doran, Michael Doran, Emma Doran and Kathy Lavinder Board Members Charles Lin, Kathy Lavinder, Emma Doran and Samuel Doran |