Ellen Gray and her twin sister Molly Gray graduated from Gillespie High School in 2014. Ellen earned a $500 Michael and Perina Verticchio Memorial Scholarship and Molly earned a Mark and John Madden Memorial Scholarship from The Partnership for Educational Excellence.
Both girls enrolled at Maryville University in Chesterfield, Missouri, Ellen majoring in physical therapy and Molly majoring in occupational therapy.
Ellen has just completed her fourth year in physical therapy, earning a Bachelor’s of Health Sciences. She will immediately begin studies, also at Maryville, to earn a doctorate; she plans to graduate in December 2020. Her long-term goal is to also achieve certification in geriatric physical therapy.
Molly also completed her bachelor’s degree in May 2018. She plans to continue one more year at Maryville to earn her master’s degree in occupational therapy. Her long term goal is to earn a specialty certification and to find employment in Missouri.
When not studying in St. Louis, Ellen has held part-time jobs at Randy’s Market in Benld and at Alton Physical Therapy in Litchfield.
Both girls say they enjoy reading, working out, and spending time with family and friends. In addition, over the past three years both have played club softball at Maryville and recently made the regional team for the National Club Softball Organization.
Molly reflects, “My post-secondary education has been so important in my life. I have learned a lot about myself and what I want. I’m excited to see what the next year has in store for me.”
Ellen adds: “It has been so important for me, and is important in today’s society” to obtain a post-secondary education. “I have learned so much these past four years that will help me in my future career,” she says, “and I am excited to see what I will learn in the next 2 1⁄2 years!”
The Partnership scholarships, Ellen and Molly recount, went toward freshman year tuition. “We are very appreciative of it,” says Molly. “My family was very grateful for the help,” adds Ellen.
Ellen and Molly are the daughters of Kevin and Elaine Gray of Gillespie.