Honoring Grace's Memory By Helping Students Grow
Grace was someone who loved to travel and turned every trip into a chance to experience local culture, cuisine, and way of life. Grace savored every opportunity to see new places and do what the locals do. She was living out her dream with her husband in Italy when sadly, Grace lost her life in a car accident in 2022.
One of Grace’s favorite sayings was “Be Somebody who makes everyone feel like Somebody.” A scholarship to honor Grace’s spirit and zest for life was established and “Somebody’s Sunshine” was born. We want to carry on Grace’s enthusiasm for adventure by helping young adults who have the same fervor for life. Our aim is to support those students achieve their dreams of experiencing a part of the world that is different from their own.
Scholarship Information
The Grace Fehan Memorial Scholarship will provide high school and technical school students the chance to broaden their perspectives through exposure to different cultures, languages, and ways of life.
Learning through immersion in the local culture allows students to engage with local traditions, cuisine, arts, and daily life. We want students to learn by staying with local families, participating in traditional ceremonies or festivals, and exploring markets or neighborhoods off the beaten path.
If you are a student who has a fierce desire to learn and travel internationally, we’d like you to tell us your story and describe what you hope to achieve.
We’re proud to celebrate our first Grace Fehan Memorial Scholarship recipient, Gabby Hammond—a 2022 Powhatan High School graduate and Art History major at Sweet Briar College. With the help of the scholarship, Gabby traveled to Spain this summer as part of an academic program focused on Islamic Art and Architecture. She explored historic sites like the Great Mosque of Córdoba and the gardens of the Alcázar in Seville, gaining a deeper understanding of the art, history, and culture she studies. Gabby shared that the trip was an incredible learning experience—one that truly brought her education to life.
This summer, Bella Day used her Somebody’s Sunshine Scholarship to set off on the adventure of a lifetime. She spent several weeks traveling through England, Scotland, France, and Spain—taking four classes in literature and history that blended perfectly with the places she was exploring.
Her studies came alive as she walked through world-famous museums, stood at historic sites she had only read about, and watched a Shakespeare play performed on stage. Beyond the classroom, Bella embraced the chance to simply wander, discovering charming towns, making new connections, and soaking in the everyday culture of each country she visited.
Bella’s journey was not just about academics—it was about discovery, growth, and joy. Her experiences are a wonderful reflection of what the Somebody’s Sunshine Scholarship is all about: opening doors to the world and inspiring bright futures.
Helping students grow is our main mission. You can be a part of encouraging young adults to explore new places and learn about cultures different from their own. Your donation to the scholarship fund would enable international travel and empower students to become responsible and engaged members of an increasingly interconnected world.
If you are part of a local business and would like to hold a fundraising event, we’d love to chat with you!