Reflecting Gettysburg College’s enduring sense of unity and compassion, the Sadie Mauro Scholarship honors a young woman whose dream of becoming a Bullet continues to inspire others across generations.
At Gettysburg College, community runs deeper than shared experiences—it’s a network of care, compassion, and connection that extends far beyond campus boundaries. When members of the Gettysburg family face hardship, that sense of unity shines brightest.
The establishment of the Sadie Mauro Scholarship offers a powerful example of this enduring bond. It is a lasting tribute to a young woman whose spirit continues to inspire those who never had the chance to meet her.
In the summer of 2023, the Gettysburg community was deeply moved by the tragic loss of Sadie Mauro, a talented student-athlete from Sherborn, Massachusetts, and a prospective member of the women’s lacrosse team. Her legacy now lives on through the generosity of two Gettysburg alumni who, upon learning of Sadie’s story, felt compelled to ensure her dream and her spirit would continue to touch lives.
The anonymous donors, whose own daughter shared mutual lacrosse connections with Sadie, reached out to the College to create a scholarship in her honor—a gesture that has since united families, alumni, and students in an extraordinary way.
“When our family learned the tragic news about Sadie, it really hit home as parents,” said the donors. “From everything we knew about Sadie, she was a special young woman, a fierce competitor, yet a compassionate soul who was beloved by everyone who knew her. Sadie would have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the Gettysburg community and beyond and we view this as a small gesture to ensure that her legacy did not go unfulfilled.”
“Sometimes I think about the fact that Sadie never actually matriculated as a student, and she never even sent her application,” Jill Mauro, Sadie’s mother, reflected. “But it seems like, from the perspective of Gettysburg, she was a student. She’s been embraced as part of the school.”
That embrace has come from every corner of the Gettysburg community. From alumni reaching out in support to coaches ensuring Sadie’s story remains part of the team’s culture, the Mauros have witnessed firsthand the authenticity of Gettysburg’s values.
“Everyone we’ve interacted with is clear about one thing—that Gettysburg is special. It’s truly a community. We’re living that now and feeling what it really means,” said Chuck Mauro, Sadie’s father.
For head women’s lacrosse coach Charlotte Hibbard, honoring Sadie’s memory has become a reminder of what makes Gettysburg’s women’s lacrosse program—and the College as a whole—so meaningful. This season, the team will wear gray wristbands with the initials “SJ7” in honor of Sadie and the legacy she left on the lacrosse field.
“Our program is built on people who are difference makers, who shape our culture in ways that last well beyond the field,” Hibbard said. “Sadie never got the chance to wear the orange and blue and live out her dream of playing at the collegiate level, something she worked hard for and truly earned. By honoring her memory, we keep her competitive spirit and legacy alive within our program.”
The strong bond that had already formed between Sadie and Gettysburg’s lacrosse program was evident when Hibbard, recent graduate Lauren O’Connell ’25, and current student-athlete Ava Guiterman ’28 attended Sadie’s memorial service in Massachusetts. They delivered a Gettysburg jersey with Sadie’s high school number to the Mauro family.
“It just blew my mind,” Jill said. “Sadie sought out integrity in her friends, and she felt integrity from this program and from Coach Charlotte. For her to come and be part of her service—it made perfect sense. These are the people Sadie was drawn to, and likewise, who were drawn to her.”
Now, through the Sadie Mauro Scholarship, that same integrity and compassion will help empower future Gettysburg students to pursue their dreams. Touched by the kindness and support from the anonymous donors and campus community, the Mauros made their own contribution to the scholarship fund. This scholarship will be awarded for the first time this fall, continuing Sadie’s legacy of resilience, teamwork, and heart.
“We understand how fortunate we were to support Sadie’s dream,” Jill said. “Not everyone has that opportunity. Whether this scholarship goes to an athlete, a drama student, or whoever it may be, it helps us heal knowing we’re giving another young student a chance.”
Learn more about the community and connections you can make at Gettysburg College.
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By Corey Jewart
Photos provided by Corey Jewart, Jill and Chuck Mauro
Posted: 10/28/25