The Amputee Coalition announces in a news release that four college students will receive the Scott Decker, MD, Memorial Scholarship for 2015.
“The Amputee Coalition is very pleased to have so many qualified applicants for the Scott Decker, MD, Scholarship that we were able to award four different individuals. Each of these young people have learned to live successfully with limb loss, and each have clear goals for their future,” says Susan Stout, president & CEO of the Amputee Coalition, in a release announcing the scholarship recipients.
The following four students will receive $1,000 toward their college tuition for the 2015-2015 academic year: Austin Brown of Kennewick, Washington; Tyson Higel of Clatonia, Nebraska; Brickelle Bro of Castle Pines, Colorado; and Amy Frank of Cypress, Texas.
Austin Brown will attend Washington State University and will study engineering, per the release. He’s an accomplished golfer who started playing the game at age 4.
“Dr Decker did a lot of good for people during his life, and his family continues to do so,” Austin says. “I hope that I can have a similar positive impact on others, he shares in the release.
I am truly honored to be recognized by the selection committee,” he continues. “I am sure that there were many deserving applicants, so it feels really good to have them believe in me and appreciate the hard work I have put in, academically and otherwise.”
Tyson Higel currently attends Northwest Missouri State University and is studying therapeutic recreation, the release explains. He just completed his freshman year and maintained a 4.0 GPA the entire year.
While in high school, he was an an award-winning wrestler, the release continues. He currently competes on the USA Volleyball’s A2 Sitting Volleyball team and hopes to participate in the 2020 Paralympics.
Tyson says in the release that the scholarship will help with the financial stress of not only having to pay for his undergraduate studies, but for his future graduate studies as well.
“This scholarship allows me to continue my education path to becoming a certified orthotist/prosthetist, and for that I am grateful,” he says in the release. “I will continue to strive for excellence to make amputees, the Amputee Coalition, and anyone who has a dream proud. Thank you. “
Brickelle Bro, a member of the US Paralympic Swim team, is heading to Stanford University this fall to study psychology and the mental impact of limb loss, per the release.
“I have always felt it was my responsibility as an amputee to speak with groups about limb loss and physical differences,” Bro says in the release. “The support of organizations like the Amputee Coalition will help me to attend college, but more importantly, show that talking about limb loss, supporting those who experience it, and working to prevent it are worthy activities.”
“Limb loss is not a reason to settle for less from life. With the support of the Amputee Coalition, every person affected by limb loss can work hard to reach their full potential,” she shares.
Amy Frank will be attending Texas A&M to pursue a degree in geophysics, the release explains. She lost her leg this past year, but she is determined to move on and live a full and productive life.
“This past year has been a great struggle, but I am ready to move on and start my college life with the support of the Amputee Coalition,” she shares.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Coalition for their generosity. I feel very fortunate to have been chosen as a recipient of this award. This scholarship has been a wonderful blessing,” she exclaims in the release.
[Source: Amputee Coalition]
