The L.I.F.E. Scholarship recipients for the academic year of 2021/22 were as competitive as in previous years. The finalists and subsequent winners came from a highly diverse group of college students with lupus from around the country. Our L.I.F.E. Scholarship Winners display determination, courage, and incredible strength to overcome the setbacks of lupus. Naturally, they become role models for other college students with lupus and anyone who has faced adversity. Our recipients give a renewed meaning to L.I.F.E. and its heart-felt Sponsorship Program.
When a student with lupus receives a merit-based L.I.F.E. Scholarship, they feel heard and valued. It adds confidence, which makes our recipients more hopeful for their future. At the same time, it encourages them to help others in a similar situation. Through Spotlight stories, L.I.F.E. will provide a unique opportunity for our winners to reach out to other students with lupus to share their experiences with each other and the world. Also, preserving L.I.F.E.’s growing mission.
L.I.F.E. is proud to announce Rachel White as our 2021/22 Intern. She manages our Instagram account while being an active member of the L.I.F.E. Team. Rachel is a former honorary L.I.F.E. Scholarship winner. She was the first student to represent West Virginia, which led to a L.I.F.E. Awareness Award. Caroline also received this special award this academic year--as she is the first college student with lupus to attend college in South Carolina. All L.I.F.E. Awareness Award recipients keep L.I.F.E. on pace to meet its goal of representing every state.
Another special scholarship went to Elivette Garcia. She received her scholarship last May in recognition of Lupus Awareness Month. Our special award winners are exceptional students, involved in numerous activities, and give back to their communities and L.I.F.E. However, it is important to remember that every college student with lupus matters. It is challenging and courageous to attend college with systemic lupus--a potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease.
L.I.F.E. is proud to announce our 2021/22 L.I.F.E. Scholarship Winners:
· Kristen Bunin - Indiana University of Pennsylvania, PA
· Elivette Garcia — University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
· Caroline McNealey — University of South Carolina, SC
· Laila Robinson - James Madison University, VA
· Selena Tang - Arizona State University, AZ
· Thu Vu - University of Portland, OR
· Leah Wasson - Macalester College, MN
· Cydney White - University of Maryland, MD
· Rachel White — Intern, West Virginia University, WV
Click Here to see the Winners >>
Thank you to all who applied for a L.I.F.E Scholarship. The L.I.F.E. Scholarship Committee encourages all applicants who did not receive a scholarship to re-apply next year.