"Maura is a strong leader in our family," her mother told OMK. "When her dad deployed for over a year, it left a huge hole of leadership. She shepherded her three brothers through difficult times, encouraging them to complete schoolwork, helping to teach them, editing papers, and engaging them in deep conversations.

Maura grew in many ways, including learning to drive during the deployment, conquering her fears about being behind the wheel, so that she could be a second driver and chauffeur for the family. Maura took her dad's place in reading to her brother daily. She also helped to guide her younger brothers through a difficult year of school, sitting down with them to brainstorm and edit. All the while, she was taking a full load of classes, holding down a part time job, helping with chores and becoming a student intern in her church youth group, where she planned activities and mentored younger students.

Maura also stepped into leadership roles in American Heritage Girls, as well as becoming a counselor at a camp over the summer, helping to lead six- eleven year old students. She also lead a worship band at church, which lead worship every Wednesday evening. Maura used the skills she learned at guitar lessons [funded by her OMK activity grant] to begin leading worship band at church. She helped to plan and implement service each Wednesday.

When her father's deployment was extended due to an injury, Maura stepped up to assist in many things around the house. When he finally returned home, she took on even greater responsibilities and had to deal with the disappointment of canceled and altered plans due to his injury. Overall, she grew so much as an individual during her dad's deployment and subsequent medical rehabilitation, and has become a stellar young person displaying virtue, loving others, and learning to lead."