Anna Buckles
White Bear Township
Anna is pursuing a psychology degree at Bethel University. She enjoys integrating her coursework with real-life experience as a volunteer teaching English to Spanish-speaking adults. Anna is especially grateful for her scholarship because she has seen the impact of the economy on fellow students, many of whom have dropped out of school or taken on more loans.

Katyryn Doty
Minneapolis
Kathryn credits her MS scholarship for allowing her to continue pursuing an education degree at Minneapolis Community and Technical College while volunteering as a tutor for parenting and pregnant teens. Kathryn has a new-found appreciation for working outside her boundaries and is truly enjoying her college experience while giving back to the community.

Danielle Drazek
Little Canada
Danielle is studying elementary education at St. Cloud State University. She pays for college on her own and believes she would not have been able to afford school without her MS scholarship. Danielle has also participated in Walk MS for the past five years.

Angela Egeland
Blaine
Angela attends Hamline University where she is pursuing her dream to become a surgeon. “Education is number one in my life,” Angela said. “Someday I will be the surgeon I want to be and I will be able to say the MS Society helped me get there.”

Elena Glass
Roseville
Elena is attending New York University as a vocal performance major. Her dream is to
“heal others through music” and the MS scholarship is helping make that dream a reality. Elena describes her classes as challenging and inspiring and feels that by living in New York she is growing more independent and self-assured.
 

Brittany Groess
Zimmerman
Diagnosed with MS at age 19, Brittany has overcome enormous medical obstacles to pursue her surgical technician training at Anoka Technical College. She credits her MS scholarship for making it possible to attend college and to focus clearly on her future.

Chantyl Hutton
St. Cloud
Attending the College of St. Benedict has been a positive experience for Chantyl, as she pursues her dream of becoming a physical therapist specializing in pediatrics. She finds her college adventure fun and exciting due to new friends, inspiring professors, rigorous curriculum and a supportive family.

Julie Juchno
Hudson, Wis.
Julie is enjoying her college experience as she pursues her major in pre-medicine at Siena College. In addition to a rigorous course load, she also made the women’s division one golf team this year. Julie enjoys living in New York and says her MS scholarship brings comfort to her family because they have less to worry about financially.

Abbey Nekola
Plymouth
Abbey is pursuing a double major in journalism and international studies at Iowa State University, while keeping busy with campus organizations such as the Student Alumni Leadership Council and Homecoming Central Committee. If it weren’t for the support of the National MS Society, Abbey says “I know that I would not have been so determined and confident about my education.”

Samantha Nordeen
Woodbury
Samantha, a psychology major at Metropolitan State University, became a caregiver as she entered the second grade and began performing household chores to assist her mom, who has MS. With the help of her MS scholarship, Samantha is able to balance a full course load and a full-time job and still provide assistance to her family.

Amanda Pfeffer
Hudson, Wis.
Attending the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, has been a unique experience for Amanda. Amanda overcame unexpected financial difficulties this year and says her MS scholarship relieved some of those anxieties. To continue her education within her new budget, Amanda is transferring to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse next year.

Amanda Skeivik
Afton
Amanda is pursuing an English as a Second Language Teaching License and working toward a certificate at Hamline University. She also plans to pursue a double major in psychology and East Asian studies.

Amber Sumpter
Excelsior
Amber’s mom was diagnosed with MS less than two years ago, but it didn’t deter her from following her dream to pursue a nursing degree at Normandale Community College. Amber says she works to create a balance between working full time, helping her mom and brother, and attending school. Amber also volunteers at a hospital and with the Special Olympics as well as helping in special education classes in school districts where needed.

Claire Traynor
Star Prairie, Wis.
Claire credits her MS scholarship for giving her the opportunity to focus on her course workload and pursue a double major in music therapy/music education at Wartburg College. She is also active in a number of campus organizations such as choir, Wartburg Scholars program and the Volunteer Action Center.

Christina Trettel
Little Falls
Christina is pursuing a double major in elementary education and communications at St. Cloud State University. She serves on the Honors Club executive board, the University Program Board special events committee and as a council member, Eucharistic Minister and Lector for Newman Center’s Parish. Christina balances school and volunteer commitments with three part-time jobs. “Time management has become one of the most important skills I have gained,” she said.