One top scholar each year is awarded a four-year Presidential Scholarship. This award was started by the National MS Society’s current president and CEO, Joyce Nelson.
Rebecca Merlenbach—National MS Society Presidential Scholar
Funding provided by the Gateway Area Chapter
Gateway Area Chapter
Person Living with MS
Top 1% of Class, 3.9 GPA
Over the Rainbow
Many of Rebecca’s hopes and dreams are now taking flight as she prepares to begin her college career. The road has not been easy, in fact, often harrowing. She was declared ‘homeless’ when both parents were unable to care for her. A teenage diagnosis of MS went untreated for almost a year due to financial hardships. A top student, her grades suffered because of depression, migraine headaches and blackouts. Yet, Rebecca, like Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” has found her way home with a new perspective on life and a commitment to helping others, especially children. She will study public relations management and international business to learn how to set up and run a charity-based organization that helps children in need. By all accounts, Rebecca has the determination, resourcefulness, and courage to succeed!
Each year a four-year scholarship is awarded to a top scholar in honor of the Society’s past president and CEO, General Mike Dugan, USAF, retired.
Breanna Burkes—National MS Society Mike Dugan Scholar
Funding provided by the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter and the Modestus Bauer Foundation
Alabama-Mississippi Chapter
Mother Lived with MS
Second in a class of 432; High SAT Scores
MS Under Arrest!
Putting a stop to MS is Breanna’s ultimate goal. All her life, she has stood by watching the disease (“a faceless thief”) take her beloved mother away from her. But she refuses to allow MS to steal her pride and education. It no longer has control because, “my mind has put this bandit under arrest.” She is determined to enter college as a pre-med student as a first step to becoming a neuroscientist so she can “prevent everyone from dealing with a criminal like I did growing up.” If anyone can overcome roadblocks that may stand in her way, Breanna is right out front. This outstanding student and community leader has demonstrated that she has ‘110% commitment’ to winning the war against the once interminable enemy — multiple sclerosis — through research, patient care and a passion that knows no limits.
Jared Applebaum
Funding provided by the Gateway Area Chapter
Gateway Area Chapter
Mother, Father and Grandmother Living with MS
Next Stop: The Moon and the Stars
‘Challenge’ is Jared Applebaum’s middle name as witnessed by citing a few of his honors and accomplishments: JROTC Academic Challenge Team, Air Force Association Young Achiever 2008, President of Peer Mentor Program, Walk MS Fundraiser ($10,000 club), Outdoor Skills Leadership Program. His motto, like that of the Air Force is “Service before Self,” which aptly describes his integrity to self, family and community. Jared is the loving son of proud parents who also know something about challenges — they both live with MS on a daily basis. They support Jared’s next great venture — to study aerospace engineering at Purdue University in the hope of being in the forefront of the avionics field which he says, “can change the world forever.” He is well on his way!
Jessica Axelrod
Funding provided by the NY City-Southern NY Chapter and Teva Neuroscience
New York City-Southern New York Chapter
Mother Living with MS
A Trusted Crutch
Her mother’s struggles with MS have had a profound impact on Jessica. For many years, her mom has relied on her daughter for support as a kind of human crutch when she walks. Her hopes of becoming a physical therapist is directly related to growing up with a mother with a disability. A graduate of Ardsley High School, Jessica will attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in September. She will be studying for an undergraduate degree in Movement Science in the School of Kinesiology at Michigan and then go on to graduate school to become a physical therapist. Another experience cemented her desire to enter this field. She is a volunteer with The Miracle League, a baseball team for children with severe disabilities. She says she is “honored and privileged to be trusted as a crutch” for both her mom and the children she coaches. She can see way beyond the disability to the whole person and does everything in her power to get them to first base.
Jane Brach
Funding provided by the NY City-Southern NY Chapter and Teva Neuroscience
New York City-Southern New York Chapter
Mother Living with MS
Devoted Daughter
Growing up with a mom living with MS seemed like a natural and normal experience for this only child. Her earliest experiences revolved around a series of ‘perks’ for people with disabilities such as parking close to the grocery store or cutting lines at Disney World. As she matured, she realized how difficult life could be for her mother. Jane is now her sole caregiver and has chosen a college that is commuting distance from home so she can continue her caregiving role. A good student, Jane has taken several high school honors classes and already has 18 college credits under her belt. She will study nursing at Mount Saint Mary’s College and would like to devote her career to caring for people with MS.
Jessica Curry
Funding provided by Teva Neuroscience
Inland Northwest Chapter
Mother Living with MS
Permission to Shine
In her essay on how MS has impacted her life, Jessica writes a letter to God spelling out her hopes and dreams not only for herself, but for her mom who has MS. It’s her take on “why bad things happen to good people.” In the beginning of the essay, she yearns for her “old mom,” one who could ski, play tennis and work full-time. She also realizes the many “valuable lessons” she has learned from the experiences she has had. She now values her own good health and is determined to “live life to the fullest,” given “permission to shine.” She would like to study medicine and has been accepted in pre-med at Seattle Pacific University. She mentions Peace Corps and Doctors without Borders as two potential ways to serve others in the future.
Lauren DiLorenzo
Funding provided by the Greater Illinois Chapter and Teva Neuroscience
Greater Illinois Chapter
Father Living with MS
Dancing in the Rain
Taking a page from her father’s ‘book of life’ has helped Lauren overcome her anger and fears about MS and its effects on her and her family. She poignantly says that although MS has affected his limbs, it has never gone to my dad’s heart “which is full of pure love…for his baby girl.” He is her mentor and her rock. She uses the metaphor of dancing in the rain “rather than waiting for lightening to strike,” to describe her dad’s view of life. This positive attitude has enabled her to excel in school, graduating in the top 10% of her class. It will also serve her well as she enrolls at Illinois State University to pursue a career as a teacher in secondary education, perhaps even going on to graduate school in psychology.
Christopher Jacobus
Funding provided by Teva Neuroscience
Upstate New York Chapter
Mother Living with MS
Renaissance Man
Although science and engineering are his chosen fields of interest, Christopher is easily at home with music, literature and history. He is also a varsity athlete and has shown leadership skills as president of the student council. Honors have followed him thorough his high school career — President’s Award for Academic Excellence to name only one. He is also a role model to other students and a caring and compassionate son to his mom. He has devoted time and energy to devising home-made devices to make her life easier with MS. He has chosen Purdue University as his college (the alma mater of many astronauts) and will study aerospace engineering. Flight training is one of his goals. He is the kind of person who is certainly ready for new challenges and new horizons.
Brianna Johnson
Funding provided by the Minnesota Chapter and Teva Neuroscience
Minnesota Chapter
Mother Living with MS
Best Friends
Brianna has struggled to overcome her fear and anxiety over her mom’s MS. Their journey together has made them closer than ever. They have a strong bond and are now best friends. Her mom’s support has helped Brianna become a good student, a peer leader as Captain of the Marching Band Color Guard and a devoted daughter. Brianna is on her way to the University of Wisconsin where she will major in psychology and criminal justice. Her goal is to become a criminal profiler and work in law enforcement.
Shelby Kramer
Funding provided by Teva Neuroscience
North Central States Chapter
Person Living with MS
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Shelby is a straight ‘A’ student, class valedictorian, president of her senior class, varsity softball player and participant in many after-school volunteer activities. These achievements are awesome for any high school student and are all the more remarkable for a person who was diagnosed with MS in her senior year. Shelby, however, doesn’t have time to take a bow or feel sorry. She is too busy getting on with her life. She deals with MS with humor which helps her forget the pain and fatigue. She also laughs with her friends over her wobbly gait, reminding them she is NOT under the influence, she just looks like it! Her school recently raised $8,500 in one evening at a basketball game to raise awareness of the disease. Shelby will study to be a geologist next year with the hope of working for the U.S. Park Service, preferably at Yellowstone National Park. Look for her in four years!
Rebecca LeBeau
Funding provided by the Wisconsin Chapter and Teva Neuroscience
Wisconsin Chapter
Mother Living with MS
The Pursuit of Excellence
Nothing but the best for Rebecca: Straight ‘A’ student, all AP honors courses, musician with medals galore, head of the class. This young woman credits her mom with much of her inspiration and determination to succeed. She is also a compassionate daughter who has learned to accept differences in people by concentrating on what they CAN do rather then what they CAN’T. Her future career is directly influenced by watching how her mom copes with MS and leads her life. She will enter the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall to pursue a medical degree. She will become a physician and/or a medical researcher, especially in the field of neurology. She says improving the lives of others is her goal in life.
Caitlin Lowell
Funding provided by the Greater New England Chapter and Teva Neuroscience
Greater New England Chapter
Mother Living with MS
Making a Difference
Accolades abound when talking about Caitlin — "Academic Powerhouse" say many of her teachers. In college, one person said, "her professors will think this freshman is a senior." She is a creative writer who has already published a children’s book and been honored by the Women’s Literary Union. Caitlin is also a strong analytical thinker who as captain of her high school debate team has many take-home trophies. Last but not least, Caitlin is a passionate advocate, whose strong strength of character has propelled her to become a political journalist when she graduates from Columbia University. She wants to take on such topics as health care reform and other human rights issues that affect those with MS and other chronic diseases. She credits her experience of helping her mom with her daily MS needs as “translating into a greater sense of responsibility to my community and the world.”
Jessica Plaggenberg
Funding provided by the Gateway Area Chapter
Gateway Area Chapter
Mother Living with MS
Science Scholar
Jessica has a great aptitude and passion for all things scientific. She is especially interested in biology and will pursue a career as a microbiologist. This science scholar has had to overcome many hardships on a bumpy road through adolescence and her teen years. When she was twelve years old, her mom was diagnosed with progressive MS. Later her dad developed cancer. She has been a second mother to her baby sister and has cared for both parents along the way. Not one to feel sorry for herself, Jessica relies on her inner strength, intelligence and just plain hard work, which has culminated in an amazing array of achievements: straight ‘A’ student, student council president, 10 high school honors classes, president of the science club, and paid college-level internships which resulted in published scientific research. These skills along with focus and determination will serve her well.
William Rosser III
Funding provided by the Central Virginia Chapter and Teva Neuroscience
Central Virginia Chapter
Father Living with MS
The Torch is Passed
William is the proud and loving son of a man whose dreams were cut short because of MS. He describes his dad as always in his corner, bringing out the best in his son. William Senior was a star athlete and promising dental student at one time. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. The seeds were sown early in life. On his 8th birthday, young William was asked what he wanted for his special day. He told his parents to give the money they had saved for him to someone in need. Three charities were chosen, among them the National MS Society. William now carries the torch and will “race to the finish line” on behalf of his dad. He will enter Virginia Tech in the fall and plans to go to dental school. He has already demonstrated great academic achievement and a strong commitment to helping others. The world needs more young men like William L. Rosser III.
Andrew Smith
Funding provided by the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter
Greater Delaware Valley Chapter
Mother Living with MS
Life Lessons Learned
Andrew has a deeply philosophical view of life for one so young. Growing up more quickly than his peers, he has developed valuable insights. Andrew has become an independent person and appreciative of the so-called “little things in life” — a healthy lifestyle, a strong work ethic and the value of a supportive family, especially his mom who has MS. One of his teachers describes his intellectual sense of integrity when she writes: “Andrew is one of those rare students who works hard for the sake of learning and not just for the grades he could earn.” A well-rounded student, Andrew participated in track and field, was president of the National Honor Society and found time to volunteer to work with individuals who are developmentally disabled. He is on his way to Cornell to pursue a career in business or law.
Ryan Vesey
Funding provided by the Minnesota Chapter
Minnesota Chapter
Father Living with MS
Dreams from My Father
Ryan strives for excellence in everything he does whether it is academics, sports or community participation. He has had a good teacher. His dad had to give up his work as a successful corporate executive due to MS. What Ryan sees as the benefits of MS include a father who is now available as teacher, mentor and coach. His dad now has the time to be all these things and to write the book he has always wanted to do. Ryan has a deep desire to make a difference in the world spurred on by his love and respect for his parents. He is interested in political science and will major in it at Yale this fall. He wants to use that knowledge to enter the policy-making field, perhaps as an elected official in the future.
Brittany Wyre
Funding provided by the Leonard J. and Martha J. Brutocao Family Scholarship Fund
Southern California and Nevada Chapter
Mother Living with MS
Political Leader and Advocate
Drawing from her experiences of living with a mom with MS, Brittany has learned many valuable lessons that have directly influenced her future career. She has focused on the gifts of inspiration and determination to make a difference in the lives of others, especially those with MS. A born leader, Brittany is the founder and president of her school’s Junior State of America which encourages youth to get involved with local government and politics. Brittany will enter the University of California at Berkeley to major in political science. From there, she hopes to concentrate on law and government as the twin pillars that will help her become politically active. She would like to have the opportunity to influence the flow of funds available for more MS research, especially stem cell research.
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