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Jake Gallagher of Yarmouth has won scholarships for his work with Safe Passage to help impoverished children in Guatemala.

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JAKE GALLAGHER

SCHOOL: Yarmouth High School

Has been to Guatemala with Safe Passage groups four times, where he taught lacrosse to youngsters.

Jake Gallagher wants to be a doctor. Specifically, he'd like to be a doctor who travels to out-of-the-way places to help disadvantaged people.

At the age of 18, the Yarmouth High School graduate already has some experience in that area.

He obviously is not a doctor yet, but he has already traveled far to help people who need it.

Beginning in the sixth grade, Gallagher began volunteering for Safe Passage, a Yarmouth-based nonprofit group. Founded by the late Hanley Denning, Safe Passage works to improve life for children living in squalid conditions in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Gallagher helped to found a Safe Passage club at his school, organized school supply drives for Guatemalan children and worked on fundraising events that generated thousands of dollars for the group's programs.

He's also been to Guatemala with Safe Passage groups four times, where he taught lacrosse to youngsters.

He says his passion for Safe Passage's cause started when he heard Denning speak about the children she wanted to help.

"To hear about kids my own age living in garbage dumps made me want to get involved," said Gallagher, who played lacrosse, hockey and soccer at Yarmouth High.

In recognition of his community service, Gallagher was honored last fall with the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award from the northern New England chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, as well as $4,000 in scholarships.

He plans to begin his pre-med studies in September at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.

Staff Writer Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6454 or at:

rrouthier@pressherald.com