Donovan Catholic senior Gylian Hixenbaugh ’27 recently had the opportunity to represent the school community at the Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity Gala, where this year’s theme, “Doorways of Hope,” highlighted the organization’s mission of opening doors to safe, stable and affordable housing for local families.

The project began last spring, when area high schools were invited to create and design a door representing what a “doorway of hope” meant to their students. The completed doors were first presented during Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity’s spring walk in Seaside and were later placed on display at the organization’s gala.

Hixenbaugh created Donovan Catholic’s door with a message deeply rooted in faith, family and the idea of home.

“If you look closely at the door, you will see a little boy and his dog walking along a winding path,” Hixenbaugh wrote in her reflection. “Those belong to Jesus. Along their path are wooden signs marking the moments that shape us all: childhood, family, friendship, marriage, and everything in between.”

For Hixenbaugh, the door represents more than the physical entrance to a house. It symbolizes the security, opportunity and hope that come with having a place to call home.

“Affordable housing gives a family the stability they need so their own children can laugh, grow, build friendships, and experience the moments marked on that door without the weight of uncertainty holding them back,” she shared.

Hixenbaugh was invited to attend the gala and read her reflection aloud as guests viewed the doors created by local students.

The evening celebrated the work of Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, which has served the Ocean County community since 1999. According to information shared at the gala, the organization has built 24 affordable homes and completed more than 540 critical home repairs while continuing its work to create affordable homeownership opportunities for local families.

For Donovan Catholic, Hixenbaugh’s participation also reflected the school’s commitment to encouraging students to connect their faith and education with service to others.

“When people ask me what ‘Let’s Open the Door’ means, I think about opportunity,” Hixenbaugh wrote. “The door I designed represents the journey of faith, but a physical front door to a home represents security, hope, and a fresh start.”

As she begins her senior year at Donovan Catholic, Hixenbaugh is also preparing for her own next doorway. Following graduation with the Class of 2027, she is committed to Dartmouth College, where she will continue her academic journey.

Her message at the gala offered a fitting connection between the pathways ahead of her and the opportunities Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity works to create for families throughout the community: every door has the potential to open toward something greater.