Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana

Scholarships

Download the 2009 Scholarship Application
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Shannon O' Daniel Memorial Scholarship

Vision:The recipient of the Shannon O'Daniel Memorial Scholarship should be a student who has shown courage in dealing with epilepsy and seizure, commitment to their education, and perseverance in eliminating the obstacles that epilepsy and seizures may present.

About the Scholarship

The Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckianais now accepting applications for the 2009 Shannon O'Daniel Memorial Scholarship Award. The one-year $1,000 award is given to a deserving student who meets the following criteria:

• Is under a physician's care for epilepsy (also called seizure disorder);
• Is a college-bound high school senior;
• Lives in Kentucky (excluding Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties) 
   or lives in Clark, Floyd or Harrison Counties in Indiana.

Shannon O'Daniel was a senior in college and just credits away from graduating when she died from what was attributed to SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy). Her life was a struggle to overcome the seizures that frequently disrupted her life. She did so with a determination to achieve her dreams, one of which was receiving a college diploma. In the aftermath of her tragic death, this scholarship was created to honor Shannon's achievements. Judges will award the scholarship to the student who meets the above criteria and who best fits the scholarship's vision.

Submission Deadline: May 1, 2009

Scholarship Recipients

2002: Jason Buffat
2003: Ashley Hester
2004: Whitney Mayo
2005: Lori Payton
2006: Elizabeth Farrar
2007: Bradley Waller
2008: Emerson Dick



2008 Shannon O'Daniel Memorial Scholarship Recipient

The Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana is pleased to announce that Emerson Dick of Bardstown, Kentucky is the 2008 Shannon O'Daniel Memorial Scholarship recipient. Emerson is a 2008 graduate of Bardstown High School who is now attending the University of Kentucky. He is currently majoring in Agricultural Biotechnology and plans to pursue a career in medicine, pharmacy, or research.

Emerson thinks he had to work twice as hard in high school as a person without epilepsy would, in order to maintain his graduating grade point average of 4.0. His struggles with absence seizures sometimes meant he had to do his homework twice in order to ensure he had completed it adequately.

Some of Emerson's outstanding achievements include being a 2007 Governor's Scholar Program Graduate, a select member of the student advisory committee with the Superintendent of Bardstown City Schools, and in the top ten of his class during all four years of high school.

He is most inspired by his two aunts, who also have children with epilepsy. When he was diagnosed, as well as throughout his journey of getting his seizures under control, his aunts sent letters of encouragement, talked to him, and were there for him in his times of need. He is very thankful to them and all they have done to help him.


Other Scholarships for Students/Families
Affected by Epilepsy:

Pfizer Epilepsy Award 2009
Amount for Student: $3,000 (one year)
Mailed Applications Due: (must be post-marked by) May 1, 2009
Review Criteria and Download Application Online: www.epilepsy-scholarship.com

UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program™
Amount for Student: $5,000 (one time)
Amount for Family Member/Caregiver of Person with Epilepsy:  $5,000 (one time)
Mailed Applications Due: (must be post-marked by) April 24, 2009
Review Criteria and Download Application Online: www.ucbepilepsyscholarship.com

Visit the National Epilepsy Foundation website Financial Aid: Scholarships for additional scholarship opportunities.