 At DMSF, we take great pride in fostering leadership skills among our Scholars, helping them grow into thoughtful, impactful individuals. As a Schmidt Scholar and active member of our caddie program and his community, Eugene has honed his leadership skills through collaboration, service, and dedication. We sat down with Eugene to talk about his leadership journey, his experience with DMSF, and his plans for the future. Here is what he had to say: Q: How did you first hear about DMSF? Eugene: I first learned about the DMSF through a high school fair that my middle school held each year. My family and I attended, exploring different private schools, and that's where we came across the Fenwick High School booth. After seeing the tuition costs, we weren’t sure we could afford it, but we learned about scholarship opportunities, including DMSF. At a Fenwick open house, we met DMSF staff, and later on, I realized that one of my older friends was also a Daniel Murphy Scholar attending Fenwick. She became my mentor, guiding me through the application process for both Fenwick and DMSF. Q: What inspired you to go through the application process? Eugene: I really wanted to attend a private high school, and DMSF was key to making that happen. Beyond that, I saw it as a challenge. The process of going through interviews and completing applications would help me build valuable skills that I could use later for college scholarships, internships, or even job applications. Starting at such a young age—eighth grade—was a great way to get comfortable with those skills early on. Q: Tell us about your experience at Fenwick. What have you been involved in? Eugene:I’m currently a junior, and I’m taking two AP classes—AP English and AP Government. Beyond academics, I’m part of Fenwick’s Jam Club, where we meet with our jazz teacher and just play music. I’ve also been involved in theater, and although I couldn’t participate in the fall play this year, I plan to join the spring musical, Legally Blonde. I’m also active in Bon One and Theater Fest, Fenwick’s talent shows. This year, I organized a band of eight friends to perform, and we even had our teacher join in for one of our performances.
Q:How are the Murphy Caddie and Schmitt Scholars Programs helping you grow? Eugene: Both programs have been incredibly beneficial. Through the Caddie Program, I’ve made close friends that I consider family and learned valuable skills like time management—waking up at 5:20 AM teaches you a lot about that! I’ve also built connections and learned networking through the golfers I meet. In the Schmitt program, I’m learning how to be a better leader by observing and working with other leaders who have different styles and approaches.  Q: What does being a leader mean to you? Eugene: To me, a leader is someone who inspires others through their actions and motivates people to strive for better. Integrity plays a big role in leadership—doing the right thing even when no one is watching sets an example for others to follow. Q: What areas of leadership are you working to improve? Eugene: I’d like to improve my self-awareness. Sometimes, as a leader, I might become a bit too controlling or unintentionally close myself off from other people’s ideas. I want to work on being more open to input from others and take better accountability for how I present myself in group settings. Q: How has the Schmidt Scholars program shaped your leadership skills? Eugene: The Schmidt Scholars program has been a huge part of my leadership development. It’s all about student-led projects that focus on making a positive impact. It’s taught me to set realistic expectations and embrace challenges. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but that’s when you learn the most. Leadership is about reflection and growing from those moments.
Q: How has your community in Berwyn influenced your leadership journey? Eugene: My community has been a big influence on me. I’ve been involved in programs like the Green Team, where we did park cleanups, and the "Best of Berwyn" initiative, where students were recognized for their contributions. Being part of these programs showed me the importance of giving back and staying connected to your roots. Leadership, for me, is about being visible in your community and showing that you care. Q: You’ve expressed an interest in pursuing law. How does that tie into your leadership aspirations? Eugene: What draws me to law is the leadership aspect. I’ve been building on my leadership skills since sixth grade, and I feel like law is a field where I can really put those skills to use. I’ve always been interested in social studies, and I’ve visited schools like Notre Dame, Northwestern, and UChicago to explore that path. I think law would allow me to continue to grow as a leader and make an impact. Q: As a Murphy Scholar, how do you feel DMSF has impacted your life? Eugene: DMSF has given me opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. It’s helped me find my voice and provided the resources and support I needed to succeed. That’s why I believe people should support DMSF—it’s about giving voices to those who might not have theirs heard and empowering students to work towards their dreams.  Q: What advice would you give to other young leaders? Eugene: I’d say, embrace collaboration and reflection. You’ll face challenges, but those are the moments that help you grow. Stay connected to your community, and always remember that leadership is about making a positive impact on others. Q: Lastly, what are you most excited about for your future? Eugene: I’m excited to continue learning and growing as a leader. Whether that’s through law or another path, I’m ready to take on new challenges and find ways to give back to my community. I’m looking forward to whatever comes next. Eugene’s words capture the heart of DMSF’s mission: to open doors for young leaders, empower them to make a difference, and give them the tools to thrive in any environment. His story is just one example of the countless lives transformed by the support of DMSF’s community.
We’re grateful to have Scholars like Eugene in the DMSF family, and we can’t wait to see where his leadership journey takes him next.
Q: What DMSF programs have you participated in and how have you benefitted from them?
A: Caddying. I love caddying. It is a great job opportunity that keeps me active and teaches me many lessons. But it also potentially carves a pathway to the Chick Evans Scholarship. Q: What have you learned about yourself during high school? How do you think you've grown from freshman year to the person you are today? A: During high school I have been able to learn more about my self, my virtues, and most importantly my passions. I have learned that I am a leader and passionate about learning and exploring new things. From my freshman year it’s now i have definitely developed a strong sense of perseverance. Even when things got hard, I knew I was trying my best.
Q: What are you looking forward to after graduation?
A: I am excited to see how my life will roll out, and of course college!!! I know wherever I go I am meant to be, and will help me become the best version of myself. Q: Looking ahead, what do you see yourself doing as a career? What fields are you interested in? A: I am interested in Civil Engineering. I hope to explore all concentrations but I know I love creating and math. Q: To you, what does it mean to be a Murphy Scholar? Being a Murphy Scholar means being able to reach my dreams. Not being contained to my background and being able to break barriers and open doors for myself. |
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