Many families struggle to cope with the financial impact of MS. To assist people affected by MS, and their children, who are pursuing a post-secondary education, we provide scholarships to accredited educational programs. Awards are based on financial need, academic record and a personal essay. We believe strongly that MS should not stand in the way of an education. To be eligible, high school (or GED) graduates must be attending an accredited post secondary school for the first time (first semester).
This year's recipients of the Delaware Chapter's Scholarship are:
Michelle Barineau, attending University of Delaware's Honors Program
A 2009 graduate of Padua Academy in Wilmington, Beck plans to attend Lehigh University. With a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, she hopes to design and develop more-efficient vehicles.
“This is the student who will enrich the next learning environment to which she travels with her curiosity and her passion,” wrote Beck’s high school guidance counselor, Terry Mattina, M.ED. “She will ask the questions that will get the whole class wondering. She will spread the excitement she feels about topics that most student’s find dry. In addition, her record of service is outstanding. Madeline understands the need to ‘give back’ to her community.”
A 2009 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School in Wilmington, Smutz plans to attend the University of Delaware. With a degree in communications, she hopes to help others as a publicist or public relations director in the field of fashion or community service.
“Academically, Megan has elected to be part of the most challenging program available at Mount Pleasant High School,” wrote Smutz’s high school guidance counselor, Lynn E. Wright. “She was accepted into the Pre-International Baccalaureate Programme pathway in grade nine. While many of her original classmates elected not to accept the challenge of the [program] in grades 11 and 12, Megan has continued with this rigorous course of study. She works hard and will be a candidate for five IB certificates.”
A 2009 graduate of Padua Academy in Wilmington, DiMuzio plans to attend Wesley College in Dover. With a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, she hopes to teach kindergarten as well as dance to children.
“She has proven that she can continue on course even in the face of diversity,” wrote DiMuzio’s high school guidance counselor, Terry Mattina, M.ED. “Her mother’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis has meant that Lindsay has gradually been assuming more and more home responsibilities over the past several years. In addition, she did many of the tasks in her mother’s second grade classroom that her mother could not do for herself.”
A 2009 graduate of Brandywine High School in Wilmington, Jones plans to attend either West Chester University or the University of Delaware. She hopes to become a physical therapist after eventually earning a master’s degree.
“Shannen has shown extreme growth since she began high school,” wrote the youth-teen director at the Brandywine YMCA, Gary Karp. “She is active at her school, has done outside activities like dance, volunteered for a physical therapy group, all while working and participating in activities here at the YMCA. She displays all the characteristics (honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring) that we emphasize here.”
Read a recent article published in the Community News.
In Delaware, support for the MS Scholarship program comes from donations to education-designated foundations such as the Eolyne K Tunnell Scholarshp and the Arthur J Stapler Memorial Foundations. Combined, the donations from the Tunnell and Stapler families create a pool of money that specifically supports the higher education of Delaware students whose home life has been affected by MS. The Chapter's goal is to find scholarship funds for all qualifying and deserving Delaware students.
To discuss your interest in creating a scholarship fund, please contact Dick Riggs, Major Gifts Officer, at 302-655-5610.