News Summary
Katie Collins, a senior at Coronado High School, has been honored with the Molly McGowan Award for her leadership, community service, and academic excellence. This award acknowledges outstanding senior girls and is a testament to Collins’ dedication and impact in her community. Throughout her high school experience, she has actively volunteered, led sports teams, and organized events, exemplifying the qualities this award represents. Collins plans to continue her education in Business Finance at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
Coronado, CA – Katie Collins has been honored as the Class of 2025 recipient of the prestigious Molly McGowan Award at Coronado High School (CHS), a recognition historically awarded to outstanding senior girls since the 1940s. The award is named after Mary Adair “Molly” McGowan, a CHS student who tragically passed away in 1943 from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It serves to acknowledge students who exemplify attributes such as academic excellence, leadership, kindness, and dedication to community service.
As a daughter of a military family, Collins has been deeply influenced by her upbringing, which has fueled her passion for community service. She expressed that service has always been an integral part of her life, shaped by experiences in Coronado. Collins has been actively involved in various initiatives, following the example set by her mother, who volunteered with organizations like the Islander Sports Foundation (ISF) and the Coronado Soccer Club.
Throughout her high school years, Collins dedicated countless hours to volunteer work, participating in local events such as the Crown City Classic races and ISF functions. Her leadership capabilities emerged through her roles as team captain of the CHS Girls Varsity Soccer Team, Vice President of the National Honor Society, and Executive Commissioner of Athletics in the Associated Student Body (ASB). In her role as soccer captain, she placed a strong emphasis on maintaining support and encouragement for her teammates.
In her capacity as an ASB member, Collins showcased her event-planning skills by organizing pep rallies, one of which, a Glow in the Dark pep rally, successfully raised $8,000 for school programs. She also revived two significant CHS traditions: the Spirit Can and the Athlete of the Week programs. Her academic performance has been noteworthy, as she consistently maintained a 4.2 GPA, setting an example for her peers in the National Honor Society.
During the Islander Awards ceremony, Collins was pleasantly surprised to receive the Molly McGowan Award, highlighting her commitment to giving back to the supportive community she cherishes. She recognizes leadership as a vital quality and emphasizes values such as empathy, accountability, and the importance of embracing diverse perspectives.
Looking ahead, Collins intends to continue her educational journey at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, where she plans to major in Business Finance and participate in the Chancellor’s Leadership Class, an initiative focusing on service and leadership development. Throughout her experience, Collins has expressed her gratitude to her family, especially to her mother, for their unwavering support and encouragement. She also acknowledged the significant roles of ASB Advisor Nicole Belong and CHS Principal Karin Mellina in her journey towards success.
Collins encourages future leaders to embrace authenticity, take risks, and express their true selves. Her journey of leadership, community service, and academic excellence sets a benchmark for future generations at Coronado High School.
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Additional Resources
- Coronado News: 2025 Molly McGowan Award Recipient Katie Collins
- Wikipedia: Molly McGowan Award
- Coronado Times: CHS Jike Wong & Molly McGowan Recipients
- Google Search: Molly McGowan Award
- Coronado News: 2023 CHS Molly McGowan Award Winner Jesse Hill
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Service
- Coronado News: 2022 Molly McGowan Award Recipient Riley McGrath
- Google News: Coronado High School
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
