Scholarships Recognize High-School Seniors With Asthma Who Are Pursuing Higher Education

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 24 Sep 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Schering-Plough Corporation has announced the recipients of the 2009 Will to Win Scholarship Program, which recognizes high school seniors with asthma who are pursuing higher education. Ten scholarships of $5,000 have been awarded to two high school seniors in each of the five scholarship categories: performing arts, visual arts, community service, athletics and science. All recipients demonstrated outstanding performance in their entry category, provided a documented track record of achievement, held a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 and earned numerous awards related to their entry category. "On behalf of the respiratory team at Schering-Plough, we extend our sincerest congratulations to the 2009 Will to Win scholarship recipients," said Santosh T. Varghese, M.D., Vice President, Primary Care & Cardiovascular, Global Medical Affairs, Schering-Plough. "This year's deserving recipients demonstrate what can be achieved when asthma is properly managed and treated and serve as an example for other young people with asthma." An independent panel of asthma experts evaluated a number of excellent applicant submissions to identify the two recipients per category. The 2009 scholarship recipients by category are:

Performing Arts

• Lindsay Chriss (Olympus High School, Salt Lake City, Utah)
  
  Lindsay Chriss is an accomplished dancer and cheerleader. She was the recipient of the 2007 State Award of Merit for the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (PTA) Reflections program contest for her modern dance piece, "If Everyone Cared," and was a school finalist for the National PTA Reflections program contest for another modern piece in 2008. Lindsay was chosen to be a member of Synergy Dance Company at Utah Valley University for the 2009 school year, where she plans on studying dance.
  
  
• Kelly Kusilek (Cannon Falls High School, Cannon Falls, Minn.)
  
  Kelly Kusilek has had asthma all of her life but it has not prevented her from becoming a powerful, successful dancer. While attending Cannon Falls High School, Kelly was a six-time varsity letter-winner on her high school dance team and was named Cannon Falls High School Varsity Dance Team captain for 2008 and 2009. She also was a member of the Minnesota State High School League's 2009 All-Tournament Jazz Team. Kelly won four state titles as a member of the High-Kick dance team, and received the Most Valuable Dancer award in 2009. Kelly will be attending Winona State University where she will dance for the nationally-ranked Warrior Dance Team.

Visual Arts

• Brooke Anderson (Warren G. Harding High School, Niles, Ohio)
  
  While attending Warren G. Harding High School, Brooke has received numerous awards and nominations for her short films. Brooke received the Best Music Video Award for her video titled, "Bittersweet Symphony," which showcased the realities of domestic violence. She was also awarded the Best Special Production Award for her "Raider Spirit Spot" and won the Best Short Film Award for her creation, "The Boyfriend List." Brooke plans on attending Fordham University where she will pursue a degree in international studies and visual arts.
  
  
• Timothy Lambert (Randolph High School, Randolph, N.J.)
  
  Timothy Lambert was diagnosed with asthma at the age of six. It was during the long hours he spent watching television in the hospital bed waiting for a diagnosis, that he developed an interest in filmmaking. Timothy's filmmaking achievements include the grand prize award in a film contest sponsored by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his documentary on Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. (?)

Community Service

• Lauren Brashears (Lutheran High School, Orange County, Calif.)
  
  Lauren Brashears did not let her asthma get in the way of giving back to her community. While attending Lutheran High School of Orange County, Lauren was awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award, the Girl Scout's highest award, for aiding orphans in Mexico by collecting needed items for them, recruiting volunteers to help and assisting with the children. She also is the recipient of the United States President's Gold Volunteer Service Award for completing more than 250 hours of community service in one year. Lauren earned three United States Congressional Award medals including the bronze, silver and gold for her work in community service. Lauren will be attending Point Loma University in San Diego to pursue a teaching degree.
  
  
• Brad Jencks (Bingham High School, South Jordan, Utah)
  
  Despite Brad Jencks' diagnosis of asthma, he learned very early that he had a strong desire to help those less fortunate than himself. While attending Bingham High School, Brad received the Prudential Spirit of Community Award (UT) for being the top high school volunteer in 2006 and was awarded the President's Lifetime Service Award from George W. Bush for his completion of 4,000 hours of community service. Brad also organized more than 2,000 volunteers to restore and preserve the Bingham Cemetery. While doing so, he authored a 1,500 page historical cemetery book, and produced a documentary that lead to a special award from The History Channel. Brad will be attending Brigham Young University to pursue his dream of becoming an oral surgeon.

Athletics

• Kevin Bandy (Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Coral Springs, Fla.)
  
  Kevin Bandy's lifelong battle with asthma did not stop him from pursuing his dreams of becoming a champion swimmer. While attending Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Kevin received numerous accolades and awards throughout his swimming career, including High School All-American for four consecutive years, as well as being named team captain for his high school and Florida Gold Coast Zone swim teams. He also has won state championship titles for the men's 400 freestyle relay every year since 2006 and was a four-time qualifier for the summer Junior Nationals swimming competition. Kevin is the recipient of a swimming scholarship to the University of Louisville and hopes to qualify for the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships and the 2012 Olympic trials.
  
  
• Megan Nickerson (Poquoson High School, Poquoson, Va.)
  
  Megan Nickerson was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma early in life. When Megan competed in the USA Field Hockey Futures Regional Tournament, a nearby fire caused her asthma symptoms to worsen but she was able to power through it and ended up playing the best six games of her career. Megan received All- District honors for her high school field hockey team in 2007 and 2008. She was also named the Poquoson High School's 2007 Female Athlete of the Season and received the Field Hockey 110% Award in 2007 and 2008. Megan is not only passionate about field hockey but has also been a key member of the track and soccer teams, including being named the head captain of the varsity soccer team. Megan will be attending the University of Richmond in the fall to play club field hockey.

Science

• Joshua Byerly (Auburn Road Presbyterian Academy, Cape Coral, Fla.)
  
  Joshua Byerly's early asthma diagnosis did not stop him from accomplishing any of his goals. Over time, Joshua developed a talent for grasping complicated concepts in math and science and even enrolled in college courses while in high school. While attending Auburn Road Presbyterian Academy, Joshua received first place in the Christian Home Educators of Southwest Florida science fair in 2005 for his project on magnetic field configurations and won second place in the 2006 Thomas Alva Edison regional science fair. Joshua also received first place awards for his projects on chemical reactions, conductors and insulators and robots at the Learning and Families science fair. Joshua will be attending Covenant College and Georgia Tech University for their dual degree engineering program in either mechanical or electrical engineering.
  
  
• Shalini Pammal (Commack High School, Dix Hills, N.Y.)
  
  Shalini has received numerous national science awards, including the United States Air Force Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Science. She participated in the 2008-2009 Siemens Competition in Mathematics, Science and Technology, and was honored as a national semi-finalist. In the summer of 2008, Shalini earned a research fellowship to work with the Ojima Group in medicinal chemistry and discovery where she engaged in cutting-edge research. Shalini will be attending Harvard University to pursue her interests in the medical field.

You can find out more information about the Will to Win Scholarship Program and this year's recipients by visiting http://www.schering-ploughwilltowin.com.

Source:
Julian Teixeira
Zeno Group

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