One of 14 students receiving a 2012 MS Scholarship.
WOLCOTT, Conn.- Nicki Greenstein, Wolcott, has been named to receive the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter’s, 2012 Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Scholarship.
Greenstein, 17, who graduated in June from Wolcott High School, will attend, in the fall, the University of New Haven in West Haven. She plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-med biology and hopes to become a physician assistant.
Greenstein is a member of the National Honor Society and is a member of her the Wolcott High School French Club and Math Club. She is also a four-year member of the Community Service Club. Greenstein works at Sunshine Dance Center inWaterbury and LaBonne’s Market, located in Watertown.
Greenstein’s mother, Scarlett, was diagnosed with MS in 2010. Her mother, a registered nurse, often becomes fatigued but continues to work because she carries the family’s insurance and must help to provide for Greenstein and her younger sister. Greenstein says her mother has taught her strength and perseverance.
“My mom has always approached her MS in a mater-of-fact manner,” said Greenstein. “Everyone in the world has something they struggle with, but you can’t let it stop you from living.”
More than 6,000 Connecticut residents, like Scarlett Greenstein, have multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis generally affects more women than men and is often diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. Symptoms can include numbness and tingling in the limbs, difficulties with speech and vision and, in some severe cases, complete paralysis. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis.
Greenstein was recognized by the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, at its annual Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Scholarship Reception, which was held at the Country Club of Farmington, Thursday, June 7. She is one of 10 high school graduates receiving a 2012 Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial scholarship.
Scholarships are made possible through the Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s MS memorial Fund, which supports National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, family programs. The fund was established in July 2007 by the family to honor the memory of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, who had MS, and her daughters Haley and Michaela, were active with the chapter helping raise funds to support scientific research for cure and vital programs. The National MS Society scholarship program is offered annually to vocational, technical, or college-bound high school seniors diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or to applicants whose parents has multiple sclerosis.
Scholarship applications for the 2013 school year will be available online in October. For more information on MS or for additional information on 2013 MS scholarship criteria, please contact the Connecticut chapter at 860-913-2550 or visitwww.ctfightsMS.org.
6/18/12
Abby Blundon is currently a communications intern at the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter. She is a student at Quinnipiac University where she is studying advertising and accounting. Blundon is a member of Alpha Delta Pi. She will graduate in Dec. 2012.