AMESBURY — Not only did Amesbury High School senior Megan Little get to introduce a bona fide Hollywood star, who was visiting his alma mater, but she was also the first recipient of Jeffrey Donovan's $10,000 arts scholarship.
The chorus and drama club member found out she was the inaugural recipient of the grant during baccalaureate program.
"I felt absolutely incredible," Little said. "I really thought I was going to pass out."
Little met the actor when he came to tour the high school before his induction into the Amesbury Educational Foundation Inc. Hall of Honor, and the 18-year-old was given the opportunity to introduce Donovan before he spoke to the school.
"It's inspiring for the students who get to meet someone who's struggled and failed, learned from it and ultimately made it," said Joan Miller, AEFI president. "The Hall of Honor recipients come back and say, 'I sat where you are,' and that the opportunity is there if you're willing to strive for your dream."
Donovan, who currently stars in the USA Network series "Burn Notice" and recently on the big screen in "Changeling," created the $100,000 scholarship through AEFI. He will donate the money over 10 years, giving a $10,000 scholarship each year to a student entering the fine arts.
"I've been applying for so many different scholarships, loans and grants," Little said. "This really takes a load off."
Little, who plans to attend the University of New Hampshire for musical theater next year, plans to pursue theater as a career but also wants to explore acting in television and movies, just as Donovan did.
"He was the president of the drama club, and so was I my senior year," Little said. "It shows you that anyone can make it — it's very inspiring."
AEFI administers and manages the scholarship, which is based 70 percent on need and 30 percent on talent and desire. Miller said the scholarship, which will also be open to juniors next year, can be used for classes, coaching or any other arts-related activity.
"Part of the reason the scholarship isn't limited to just college is that Jeff Donovan auditioned and earned an opportunity to attend a summer program at Bradford College. Without that scholarship, he wouldn't have been able to afford going on his own," Miller said. "He's said that without that opportunity, he wouldn't be an actor today, and he is very passionate about offering that opportunity to other kids."
After learning about Donovan's desire to start the scholarship this year, AEFI announced an unnamed scholarship for seniors, who had two weeks to give materials, including an application, letters of recommendation and an audition.
Little found out about the scholarship, which Donovan mentions in the latest issue of People Magazine, through her AP literature teacher, Patty Hoyt. Hoyt was also Donovan's first drama coach and nominated him to the AEFI Hall of Honor.
For her two performance pieces, Little sang a song from "Grease" and did a monologue from Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs."
AEFI chose three finalists, whose audition tapes and portfolios were sent to Donovan on the set of "Burn Notice" for the final decision.
"She's an enormously talented young lady, as were the three finalists that we sent to Mr. Donovan," Miller said. "Megan Rae Little is a name we're going to hear more of in the future. We're hoping maybe she'll come back and be in our Hall of Honor someday as a famous actress."
