Rebecca Fuller is a student at a university in Lynchburg, VA, and she is continuing her education after the unexpected loss of her husband. She wrote to us: “I am a widow. I lost my husband and the father of my children when we were both 25 years old. My sons were 6 months and 3 years old at the time. I was left to figure out a whole new life all on my own.” Not long after this tragedy, she also found out that her sons were diagnosed with speech and learning disabilities. Between caring and advocating for her children, earning an income, and deciding to continue her undergraduate degree, she says she is determined to never give up and to show her boys how to persevere through life’s trials. Although the loss and grief have changed her world, she says she has been able to find joy in her family, work, and education.
Reaction Statement: I cannot thank The Warren Firm enough for awarding me the Survivor Scholarship. This will help me continue my education to further my career and succeed in showing my kids that hard work and dedication pay off — to never give up on your dreams despite your obstacles. It’s never too late or too early to start working on your education journey, and I am so thankful for the opportunity given to me to help me.
Lia Bleifuss is a senior at Highland Park Senior High School in St. Paul, Minnesota where she is an International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate. She has a neuromuscular disease called Charcot-Marie Tooth and founded the first Disability Alliance Club in her school district when she was a sophomore. Since then she has gotten involved in disability activism in her community as well. She would like to combine her interest in disability studies with medicine in college and beyond. She lives in Minneapolis with her parents, sister, service dog, and five other pets, and in her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her friends, baking, and listening to public radio.
Reaction Statement: I am so excited and honored to receive The Warren Firm 2021 Survivor Scholarship! This award allows me to share my story with others, and help me continue my disability activism in the future. Being awarded this scholarship has reinforced for me the idea that hard work does pay off and makes me so excited for what’s to come.
Congratulations to Mya Hough for being named our 2020 Survivor Scholarship Winner! Mya shared a very moving essay submission with us detailing how she has overcome obstacles in her life that have resulted in her being able to pursue a college education. We are honored to have the opportunity to support Mya in her further education. To learn more about Mya and what she had to say upon learning of her winning of The Survivor Scholarship, check out her reaction statement below.
Reaction Statement: After hearing I had won The Survivor Scholarship I was filled with both joy and excitement. It is such a privilege to share my story with others and I am so grateful that this scholarship has given me the chance to do so. Receiving this scholarship has allowed me to reflect on the immense growth I have undergone, and makes me hopeful for the road that lies ahead. This scholarship helps me to see that hard work and dedication do pay off in the end.
I will be using this scholarship to help advance my education in psychology. Mental health has always been something that I have been passionate about because it has opened my eyes to the social disparity of health resources for those who may struggle to afford the care they need. Having lived through this, it is my hope to help break down these barriers and provide quality care to all of the patients I will one day work with. As humans, we need to have a healthy mindset so that we may flourish. Despite all of life’s challenges or setbacks we must try and keep a positive outlook. I am so appreciative of this scholarship and the way that it is going to help me help others.
The Warren Firm started The Survivor Scholarship to recognize students who have overcome significant obstacles in their life and have come out the other side a stronger person. Whether it be issues at home or struggles with their education, many students find themselves facing an uphill battle to make it into college and have a chance at a successful career afterward.
Our team wants to thank all of our applicants for sharing their stories with us. It’s always hard to just pick one winner, as there are many deserving applicants. We want to encourage all of our applicants to continue working to overcome any obstacles they may be facing while pursuing an education, and we wish all of you the best of luck in your academic journey. To learn more about this scholarship, please visit our Survivor Scholarship page.
