Each year, as we read through applications for the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Scholarship, we are reminded of how many extraordinary young people are out there making a difference in their own unique ways. Some do it through quiet consistency, others through bold acts of leadership. And some — like Natalie Finnegan — manage to do both.
It is with great pride and admiration that we welcome Natalie Finnegan as one of this year’s recipients of the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Scholarship. Natalie, a senior at Nazareth Academy, has not only excelled in the classroom and on the track, but she’s also become a thoughtful voice in the conversation around mental health — an area where compassion, strength, and advocacy are all essential.
Natalie’s story is one of openness and courage. After spending over a year in a therapeutic transition program for anxiety and depression, she returned to Illinois determined to not only embrace her next chapter, but to be honest about the one that came before. That honesty became a way to help others. When she shared her experience with classmates, she noticed how surprised they were — not because of what she had been through, but because she didn’t fit the narrow idea of what someone struggling with mental health “looks like.” Rather than shrink away from that misunderstanding, Natalie leaned in. She created a fundraiser that brought together over 100 people and raised more than $2,200 for The Loft at 8 Corners, a community organization supporting teen mental health. She then joined their Teen Advisory Board and began using her voice to reach even more students who might otherwise suffer in silence.
Alongside her advocacy, Natalie has been a standout member of the Varsity Track and Field team all three years she’s been at Nazareth. She’s also served as a co-president of the Roadrunner Club and earned awards for her academic writing. Whether she’s tutoring as a nanny, leading Model UN discussions, or balancing multiple jobs, Natalie’s consistent focus is building a community where people feel supported, understood, and encouraged to grow.
Those who know her best describe her as a leader, driven by emotional intelligence and a deep sense of purpose. Her teachers praise her willingness to help others, her tireless dedication to writing and research, and the joy she brings into every classroom. One teacher, a Golden Apple Award recipient, wrote that “very rarely do I see a student with Natalie’s skill set and love for learning.” That love is evident in everything she does.
As she heads to college — whether it’s at Vanderbilt, Northwestern, or wherever her path leads — we’re confident Natalie will continue to advocate, to lead, and to uplift. She is exactly the kind of person we had in mind when this scholarship was created: someone who not only has dreams, but wants to bring others along with her.
Natalie, welcome to the family of Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Scholars. We’re so proud to support you — and we can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make.
