Background of the Award
Painting of Matt and family dog Stella, created by a Walt Whitman High School student.
Cherished son of YAFH founder Jan Papirmeister and her husband Chuck, and brother of Sara, Matt Papirmeister was able to connect with anyone with his exuberance, kindness, keen intellect, and dry wit. Matt was a very talented artist and golfer. Raised in New Hampshire and Vermont, he enjoyed hiking, camping, and snowboarding. Matt served in the U.S. Army and was an Iraq War veteran, earning the Army Commendation Medal in addition to seven medals and ribbons.
In August 2014, one week before his 25th birthday, Matt died of catastrophic injuries after being struck by a car while helping someone with a disabled vehicle. Matt’s heart and kidney were donated, giving two people the Gift of Life, and his exuberant and kind spirit prevails.
During the 2014-15 school year, 16 Walt Whitman High School students participated in a special Youth Art For Healing project. The student artists' 20 beautiful paintings that reflect the life of Matt and his family are permanently installed in Joint Base Andrews Fisher House at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.
Matt’s family is very grateful for the love, kindness, and support they have received, the wonderful talent and commitment of the YAFH student artists, and the many generous donations given to Youth Art For Healing in memory of Matt.
Youth Art For Healing created the Matt Papirmeister Award for student artists that honors the exemplary life of this fine young man. This award is designed not only to commemorate Matt’s kind spirit and zest for life, but also to support student artists who are creating, giving, and doing good in their community.
Paintings that reflect the life of Matt and his family, created by students from Walt Whitman High School and installed in Joint Base Andrews Fisher House at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.
Award Details
Launched during the 2022-23 school year, the Matt Papirmeister Award is presented annually to two student artists. Applicants must be high school seniors from Montgomery County, Maryland. The award winners are selected by YAFH's Board of Directors after their review of the student applicants' essays, paintings, and art teacher evaluations.
Each graduating student receives a scholarship toward their education, payable to the post-secondary program they plan to attend. Our award, originally $2,500, is now $3,000 for each recipient.
The award winners' paintings are installed in a healthcare partner's hospital or clinic setting to provide comfort, inspiration, and healing for patients and their loved ones, healthcare staff, and all who view their works of art.
Support for the Award
To endow the award, the YAFH Board of Directors matched the first $5,000 of donations for the award. You can donate to the Matt Papirmeister Award and help support talented student artists achieve their goals and dreams.
Matt Papirmeister Award Recipients
2023 Award Winners: Erin Malone (left) and Isabel Acuna Marin (right).
“Winning the Matt Papirmeister Award at the end of my senior year rewarded and honored me, allowing me to pursue my childhood dream of a career in art and motivating me to move forward […] I thought I wouldn’t be able to study art due to economic hardship, but with the help of YAFH, I was able to embark on my artistic education at my dream university, Maryland Institute College of Art. Thanks to YAFH, I have had a wonderful first year of college.”
– Isabel Acuna Marin (2023)
“The award […] was a very wonderful thing to have last year in paying for my college tuition. I had a job to help me pay for my expenses, but because of the scholarship, I was able to work a few less hours than I otherwise would have needed. This freed up time for me to focus more on my studies, which included creating more art.”
– Erin Malone (2023)
2024 Award Winners: Giselle Maravilla (left) and Alanna Sidlowski (right).
“Beyond the financial assistance, being honored with the Matt Papirmeister Award has profoundly impacted my confidence and motivation. This recognition has affirmed my abilities and potential, inspiring me to strive for excellence in all that I do. Furthermore, this award has given me the confidence to continue creating art and inspiring others within my community. I am now more determined than ever to use my art as a medium to inspire and uplift those around me.”
– Giselle Maravilla (2024)
“YAFH touched my heart by providing a resource for patients and front-line healthcare workers alike during the pandemic. I had felt helpless and isolated for two years at that point, but YAFH provided an opportunity to create for the most vulnerable people in the community. When applying for college, I was deeply grateful for YAFH supporting me […] I cannot express how grateful I am to Jan and her organization for everything they do.”
– Alanna Sidlowski (2024)