Melissa Day
Parent with MS – Robbinsville, NC
Inspired by MS
Her father’s battle with MS, which started when Melissa was five years old, hasn’t changed the love Melissa’s family shares. “His steps sometimes falter and he has episodes of numbness. He must avoid heat and sometimes tires easily, but he is my Dad!” she says. Seeing his struggle inspired Melissa to serve others, which she does by organizing community service projects through her church and volunteering with the Special Olympics. Melissa also participates in a myriad of extra-curricular activities, including serving as first chair clarinet in the band. She plans to attend UNC Chapel Hill to double major in Biology and Psychology, with a minor in Spanish, to begin her educational path toward becoming a licensed pediatrician. She would like to use her medical degree to serve rural areas in the United States and abroad. “I enjoy being of service to others,” she says.
Melissa was named a Top Scholar through the National Top Scholar Program of the National MS Society in addition to being chosen as a Top Scholar by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter. She will receive a $3,000 scholarship and a chance to renew the National scholarship for the next three years.
Alexander Vanoy
Parent with MS – Taylorsville, NC
Knows Why the Caged Bird Sings
Alexander has struggled ever since his mother was diagnosed with MS six years ago, when he was 12 years old. A year and a half after her diagnosis, he endured his parents’ brutal divorce. Now, as the oldest child, he is responsible for assisting his mother and grandparents and helping to raise his younger brother. “MS has made my life worse, but it has made me a better person,” he says. Despite the burden of responsibility that Alexander endures at home because of his mother’s disability, he has managed to excel at school and use his vocal performance skills to cultivate extracurricular activities such as the school’s madrigal choir and church choir. Alexander plans to attend Appalachian State University to become a high school teacher, like his mother. He would like to teach Math and Science.
Alexander was chosen as a Top Scholar by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter, receiving a $2,000 scholarship.
Elizabeth Cagle
Parent with MS – Anderson, SC
Nothing for Granted
Having a mother with MS has taught Elizabeth to never take anything for granted. “I used to ask myself, ‘What if my hands were numb the very minute I woke up?’” she remembers. Her mother was diagnosed when Elizabeth was very young, and since then, “she’s always had a gloom about her,” says Elizabeth. However, her mother’s disability made Elizabeth vow to make the most of her life. Coming from a single-parent household, she learned early in life the value of hard work. She worked two part-time jobs throughout high school while maintaining an excellent GPA. “When I want anything extra, I work for it,” she says. Elizabeth plans to attend Tri-County Technical College to earn an Associate’s Degree in Psychology and then transfer to a four-year university for her Bachelor’s. She eventually plans to work providing therapy for troubled adults.
Elizabeth was chosen by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter to receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Alexandra Adams 
Parent with MS - Longs, SC
Congratulations to Alexandra Adams , last year’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter Top Scholar, for receiving additional funding this academic year through the National Top Scholar program. Alexandra, whose mother was diagnosed with MS when she was four years old, will be a sophomore at the College of Charleston, majoring in Historic Preservation and community planning. She credits her mother’s determination and participation in her life as the driving force that turned a very heavy load into an amazingly normal childhood.