Sarah McCausland Scholarship Established at New Trier, First Award Given

The first Sarah C. McCausland New Trier Performing Arts Scholarship will be awarded Thursday.

Andy and Sandra McCausland have established the annual $750 scholarship in honor of their daughter, Sarah, who police say was killed by a drunk driver as she and friends walked along a road near their college in New York. She was a 2013 graduate of New Trier from Winnetka and active in the theater, choir and orchestra programs at the school.

McCausland “was recognized as a kind, passionate performer and leader by both her teachers and her peers,” according to a press release from the school.

The scholarship is being awarded to Emile Motta de Castro, who was active in the school’s orchestra and choral programs, and was one of nearly 200 students who performed in Australia in 2012. McCausland was on that trip as well.

According to the press release:

Emile was selected based on scholarship criteria including charismatic leadership, individuality of character, kind support of other students and standards of excellence. To be eligible, applicants had to have participated in at least two of these New Trier programs: Orchestra, Choir and Theatre.

New Trier faculty chose Emile because of his passion for music, his kind mentorship of younger students, and his genuine concern for others both in and out of the classroom. The McCausland family will join Emile on stage as he is presented with his award.