Honorary L.I.F.E. Scholarship Winners


Students Helping Students

The L.I.F.E. Team is proud of each and every L.I.F.E. Scholarship Winner. In 2003, two remarkable winners, Veronica Cruz and Michelle Spurling became the face of L.I.F.E. and set the stage for what was to come. They created a wave of momentum that is as strong TODAY as ever. All winners--including our first two-- have demonstrated courage, strength, and determination. They have willingly shared their stories of happiness, sorrow, and above all, triumph over their lupus. How could they possibly get any more amazing?

L.I.F.E. was founded by two undergraduate student-athletes who wanted to make a difference in the lives of college students with lupus. Now L.I.F.E. would like to give recognition to our “elite” scholarship winners, while they encourage other students--as role models-- to not give up and to keep their dream of graduating from college close to their heart. It is heartwarming to know that more dreams will come true as our “elite” students guide our “new” students down the same path of excellence. The Honorary L.I.F.E. Scholarship Winner’s Program consists of our top Scholarship winners who are committed to both their future and the Foundation’s – these students have gone above and beyond to help another fellow student with lupus by giving back to L.I.F.E.

To be human one must be able to feel the suffering of others – something our society sometimes forgets the importance of. However, our students will never forget struggle or suffering as they experience both on a daily basis. Each case of lupus is different, but they all have faced insurmountable challenges secondary to their lupus diagnosis. Our Honorary L.I.F.E. Scholarship Winners give others, not just those with lupus, a glimpse of what they too can achieve – even if they are not always sure of their own potential. These students give others hope in the face of adversity and they inspire others – particularly our donors. When others see that our winners are returning the generosity they have been given, they are further inspired to donate or become a sponsor. This not only helps spread lupus awareness, but also results in more students receiving our merit-based scholarships – after all, L.I.F.E. depends on the generosity of our donors. Our donors and sponsors have allowed L.I.F.E. to award over 110 L.I.F.E. Scholarships in approximately 35 states. With the help of our winners, our committed L.I.F.E. Team and supporters, the Foundation will reach its goal to spread lupus awareness throughout the country by awarding merit-based scholarships in ALL states.

How to become a member?

Once you are awarded a L.I.F.E. Scholarship, it’s easy… just give back to L.I.F.E. All you need to do is sell/buy 1 raffle ticket for $25. This guarantees your spot in L.I.F.E.’s Scholarship Renewal/Degree Completion Program. With one ticket what difference could you make? Maybe alone, one ticket does little but together we can accomplish so much. One ticket here and one ticket there adds up to scholarships for other deserving students. In addition, for each ticket you sell, you are spreading awareness about lupus and that is one of the greatest gifts you can give.

Secure your spot in this exclusive program! Become an Honorary L.I.F.E. Scholarship Winner today! For more information, please contact us at life4lupuscholarship@gmail.com

L.I.F.E. is proud to announce our Honorary L.I.F.E. Scholarship Winners below:

  • Corrin Ann Stines - Elmhurst College, IL - 2016
  • Kyran Palmer - Brigham Young University, ID - 2015
  • Haley Hahn - University of Illinois at Urbana (Champaign) - 2015
  • Kyrsten Freyou - Northwestern State University, LA - 2015
  • Jacqueline Saunders - Ferris State University, MI - 2014
  • Mattie Newman - Harvard University, MA - 2014
  • Cynthia Spurgeon - University of Phoenix, FL - 2013
  • Bianca Augusto - University of Florida - 2009
  • Julia Hillengas - Temple University, PA - 2006
  • Erin (Cobb) Howard - University of North Texas - 2005 
  • Janice (Toskich) Shelton - Stetson University College of Law, FL - 2005

This unique society will continue to grow. Eventually, it will contain more information about its members, the Foundation and the networking benefit it presents to those involved. L.I.F.E is hopeful that those in the group will also be able to connect with one another and provide mutual support and advocacy.  Above all, L.I.F.E. congratulates each and everyone for their continued success despite the challenges of lupus. You have lupus, but you are not defined by lupus. You are defined by how you rise once you have fallen.