KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — Goddard Systems, LLC, manager of The Goddard School® franchise system, has awarded its 2025 Anthony A. Martino Memorial Scholarship to Katie Watson, a Chester, Virginia native and 2012 pre-K graduate of The Goddard School of Chester (River’s Bend).
The $10,000 scholarship is presented annually to a high school senior who completed a Goddard School pre-K or kindergarten program and demonstrates the work ethic, perseverance, and community commitment that defined founder Anthony A. Martino.
“Katie stood out among an extraordinary pool of applications for her unwavering dedication to applying her education in service of her community,” said Darin Harris, CEO of Goddard Systems. “It’s rewarding to see how The Goddard School set the foundation for Katie’s academic future, and we’re excited to watch her continue to flourish.”
Watson, a 2025 graduate of The Maggie Walker Governor’s School, will attend the University of Virginia this fall to study public policy and leadership. She developed a passion for history, government, and civic engagement through her four-year involvement in We the People, a constitutional law and public policy program where she analyzed Supreme Court cases, prepared testimony, and addressed policy issues aimed at improving education access and civic participation.
“The Goddard School taught me to have empathy and compassion for others, and to embrace my creativity and personality,” Watson said. “Those early learnings shaped my academic path and decision to study public policy and leadership. After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in law while advocating for civic education.”
Beyond academics, Watson served as a swim coach throughout high school, helping children with no prior experience gain water confidence and swimming skills.
Stephen Graham, owner of The Goddard School of Chester (River’s Bend), reflected on Watson’s journey: “It is so fulfilling to see Katie’s transformation from a vivacious preschooler to an accomplished high school graduate. Seeing the success of our graduates is a great reminder of why we do what we do.”
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