Media Hub

Greatest Good McDonogh Showcase 2025

The Horn Theatre was filled with philanthropists, friends, and families on the evening of Wednesday, May 14. They gathered to celebrate the incredible social impact work accomplished by students in grades PK-12 during the school year at the fourth annual Greatest Good McDonogh Showcase. The culminating event of McDonogh’s signature program demonstrated the students’ understanding of the best practices in service learning, philanthropy, community engagement, and social innovation.

During the program, students spoke enthusiastically to the audience of parents, teachers, and representatives from local nonprofit organizations about how their experiences and the complementary coursework impacted the community.

Student speakers from the Upper School’s Greatest Good McDonogh Service Council, juniors from the Nonfiction Studies in Food Culture and Systems class, and representatives from the Eighth Grade Leadership Group each spoke about the learning that took place during the year and the impact they had on the community. See the projects and programs here.

Special recognition—the Greatest Good McDonogh Impact Award—was given to Sharon Hood in gratitude for her incredible work at McDonogh. Affectionately known as Farmer Hood, she has served the school community in many roles since 1997, most recently as the Director of Roots Farm and the Culinary Kitchen. Under her leadership, Roots Farm has become an integral part of McDonogh’s commitment to experiential learning, sustainability, and community service. Through hands-on education and meaningful partnerships, including one with the Maryland Food Bank, Hood has inspired generations of students to connect deeply with the land, food systems, and the importance of giving back.

The final portion of the showcase was dedicated to the fourth grade’s efforts with Giving Square and the Kids for Kids fund. Throughout the spring, students gained an understanding of the challenges faced by children in our community and learned about the nonprofits that address those needs. Then, each fourth-grade homeroom had the responsibility of determining which nonprofit would be the recipient of $1,000 to be used for the good of kids in our community. Amy Neugebauer, the founder and Executive Director of The Giving Square, presented on the program’s impact on students. She emphasized how engaging young minds in philanthropy fosters empathy, critical thinking, and a lifelong commitment to community involvement. The fourth graders’ thoughtful deliberations and decisions beautifully illustrated these values in action.

The evening concluded with a sense of inspiration and hope. The Greatest Good McDonogh Showcase not only celebrated the tangible outcomes of student-led initiatives but also underscored the school’s dedication to cultivating compassionate, socially responsible individuals.