This year, UCB awarded 33 UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarships, including one $10,000 Joe D’Souza Memorial Scholarship, two $10,000 Epilepsy Leader Scholarships, and thirty $5,000 scholarships to support the educational goals and aspirations of individuals living with or impacted by epilepsy. Awardees will be able to use the award funds towards their technical, undergraduate, graduate, or professional education.

UCB awarded two Epilepsy Leader Scholarships in honor of the late Dr. Sandra Helmers and the late Dr. John M. Pellock, who were trailblazers in epilepsy research and treatment. This award recognizes individuals advocating for others, positively contributing to the epilepsy community, and embodying a persevering spirit. One Epilepsy Leader Scholarship was awarded to Julia Patterson of Round Top, Texas, who recently represented her high school senior class as valedictorian and spoke to the Texas House and Senate advocating for alternative treatment options for all seizure disorders. Laine Richards of Grand Rapids, Michigan, won the other Epilepsy Leader Scholarship for her work as an influential advocate for the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, raising more than $160,000.

Created in the memory of UCB’s beloved global medical director, the Joe D’Souza Memorial Scholarship was granted to the one student who most exemplifies qualities Dr. D’Souza was known for, including a humble persevering spirit, and active engagement and contribution to those living with epilepsy throughout his career, and a desire to make an impact in the community. 

UCB believes in partnering for the common good and asks members of the healthcare community as well as people living with epilepsy to serve on the judging panel for the UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship. 

“I’m delighted to be a part of the judging panel for the UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship program and see first-hand how this amazing program has helped so many people and their families living with epilepsy. All of the winners are striving to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy, while pursuing their education, and raising awareness within their communities,” said Patricia A. Gibson, MSSW DHL ACSW, Director of the Epilepsy Information Service and Associate Professor of Neurology at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. “The UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship truly supports the epilepsy community, and UCB should be commended for their commitment to the long-standing program.”

The 2020 awardees represent 20 states with nearly half being graduating high school seniors and the other half currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs. This year’s winners will begin the academic year at 32 schools across the country pursuing degrees in cyber security, social work, theatre, and more. Of the 33 awardees, 12 will be pursuing degrees in the medical field with 4 of the 12 pursuing degrees in neurology.

As part of the selection process, applicants share their personal experiences, academic pursuits, and community achievements as part of their application. A distinguished panel of people living with epilepsy, their caregivers, and medical professionals specializing in neurology then selected the 2020 recipients from a pool of more than 600 applicants from across the country. The program is open to people living with epilepsy, their family members, and/or caregivers who demonstrate academic and personal excellence and are committed to supporting their local communities.

Congratulations to this year’s winners. UCB wishes the 2020 scholarship recipients’ success as they continue their education this fall. For more on the 2021 UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship program and the application period which will open in November, visit https://www.epilepsyadvocate.com/family-epilepsy-scholarship.

2020 UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Winners
 

• Julia Patterson, Round Top, Texas - Epilepsy Leader Scholarship
• Laine Richards, Grand Rapids, Michigan - Epilepsy Leader Scholarship
• Kurtis Ashton, Harrison, Ohio
• Jenna Barnes, Sheridan, Arkansas
• Ashley Boland, East Rockaway, New York
• Carson Braddock, Puyallup, Washington
• Aubrey Brown, Sanford, Michigan 
• Everett Crockett, Burien, Washington
• Henry DeLisle, Decatur, Georgia
• Bridget Drummey, Longmeadow, Massachusetts
• Maddy Grady, St. Paul, Minnesota
• Andrew Hamilton, San Antonio, Texas
• Aaliyah Harrell, Greenville, Kentucky
• Breanna Jaffe, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Bethany Legendre, Thibodaux, Louisiana
• Sergio Martinez, Oceanside, California
• Eileen Meier, Ypsilanti, Michigan
• Hayden Moneghan, Cape Coral, Florida
• Joseph Quintana, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
• Stephanie Regier
• Caroline, Trussville, Alabama
• Madelyn Samuel, Fort Mill, South Carolina
• Ruth Schmitz, Willmar, Minnesota
• Allison Splitstone, Elmhurst, Illinois
• Daniel Stanley, Wauconda, Illinois
• Shanley Stuteville, Arlington, Texas
• Lauren Trebour, East Northport, New York
• Megan Vielhauer, Scottsdale, Arizona
• Eden Zakai
   

*Note: Winners names and hometowns (if applicable) are included with their permission. Some winners opted not to have their names included in this announcement.