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Luke Aslesen Edina This year, Luke has discovered his “passion for service.” He will be traveling to Boston to work at a rehabilitation facility to help addicts and people needing a fresh start in life. He is grateful for the MS scholarship for financial assistance so that he could continue his studies at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. |
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Chelsea Caron Marshall Chelsea is a biology and pre-medicine major at University of North Dakota. She says her mom’s MS has taught her to “never take anything for granted because one day something just may not go the way you anticipated.” Last summer, Chelsea and her family participated in Bike MS: Star Tribune TRAM Ride in honor of her mom and others living with MS. |
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Lindsey Firman Grand Rapids Lindsey is pursuing a chemistry degree at the College of Saint Benedict. “College has helped me see that there is nothing I cannot learn, no mountain I cannot conquer,” she said. Her MS scholarship means the world to Lindsay and her father, who has MS. “I am not sure I have ever seen my father as happy or proud as when I opened the letter from the MS Society, saying I had been selected.” |
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Claire Franke Minnetonka Claire graduated from Hopkins High School in 2007 and was awarded an MS Society scholarship at that time. Her scholarship award was deferred for one year while she participated in AmeriCorps. She began attending Prescott College in 2009 where she is pursuing interests in writing and photography. |
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Jennifer Gard Fergus Falls Following her lifelong dream to become a doctor, Jennifer is currently studying pre-medicine at Bethel University. Jennifer plans to focus on neurology and says her MS scholarship has been an integral part of her college experience. |
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Aubrey Jamieson Apple Valley Aubrey is entering her junior year at the University of Minnesota and looks forward to beginning nursing school soon. Because her MS scholarship makes it possible for Aubrey to focus on studying, she is grateful to the MS Society donors and volunteers who make her scholarship possible. Aubrey also works as a personal care attendant with a girl who has autism and holds a leadership position in her church. |
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Michaela Janssen Bloomington Michaela is pursuing a degree in pre-medicine and Spanish at the University of St. Thomas. Her mom has lived with MS for 16 years. Taking on caregiver responsibilities gave Michaela strength, a sense of independence and compassion, which she believes helped make her transition into college easier. Michaela co-founded and is co-president of the University of St. Thomas Students Against Multiple Sclerosis Club, a grassroots movement to eradicate MS. |
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Lindsey Jobin Rosemount Lindsey’s MS scholarship afforded her the opportunity to take different classes at North Dakota State University, which resulted in changing her major to microbiology. Lindsey says one thing she did not have to worry about was the financial support she was receiving from the National MS Society, which has helped her reach her goals. |
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Angela Lee Anoka Without her MS scholarship, Angela says she would not have been able to the University of St. Thomas, where she is studying psychology. She enjoys the smaller class environment and being close to home. Angela is currently Vice President of the German Club and took a course in Germany during January. Her other activities include Foreign Affairs Club and Model United Nations through which she attended the American Model United Nations conference in Chicago as a representative from Paraguay. |
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Kenneth Mueller Glenwood City, Wis. Kenneth enjoys his challenging studies at North Dakota State University, where he is working to become a civil engineer. He is active in the American Society of Civil Engineers and also lives on the engineering and architecture floor where he has found strong mentors in his field. |
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Brianna Peikert Woodbury Brianna is pursuing a degree in human resources and industrial relations at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. She says her MS scholarship allows her to have a full curriculum and not worry about additional financial liability upon completion of college. Brianna was elected to serve as President of the Society for Human Resource Management at the University and recently attended a Leadershape Conference on campus. She also volunteers for the MS Society’s Young Adult Advisory Group and On the Move Luncheon Committee. |
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Nicole Schultz Watertown As she continues her biology studies at Bemidji State University, Nicole says her MS scholarship “greatly impacted” her this year more than ever. Having financial support helped Nicole weather the difficult job market and stay in school until she was able to acquire a part-time position to help with expenses. |
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Erin Weber South St. Paul Erin is pursuing a degree in community health education at St. Thomas University, where she is a member of the swim team. Thanks to her MS scholarship, Erin was able to reduce her hours at work and focus on academics and dedicate more volunteer time to the MS movement. Erin co-founded the Students Against Multiple Sclerosis Club on campus and serves as a chapter Movement Ambassador, MS Youth Camp counselor, Public Outreach Advisory Group member and Young Adults Advisory Group member. |
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Grace Wepler Prior Lake Grace is in her second year at the University of St. Thomas where she is pursuing a degree in biology with a minor in Spanish. She is an active member of both the Students Against MS Club and Volunteers in Action, where she helps Spanish speaking adults apply for jobs and build resumes. In January, Grace took a class in Mexico to broaden her cultural experience and increase Spanish fluency. |
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Jennifer Wilkes Savage Jennifer, a biology major with a focus on health care, studied trans-cultural caring during a month in Greece last year. She applies this insight to her current studies at Augustana College. Jennifer’s MS scholarship allows her to work a few less hours and focus more on her coursework. |