2021/22 L.I.F.E Scholarship Winners - Congratulations!

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.

All L.I.F.E. Scholarships awarded so far for the 2021/22 academic year were sponsored:

Kristen Bunin-Indiana University of Pennsylvania, PA

Elivette Garcia - University of Massachusetts, Boston

**“Ballet was a huge part of my life…It was a passion as if it were in my blood…Unfortunately, with all my joint swelling and all the random flares I was forced to stop.”**

Caroline McNealey-University of South Carolina, SC

**“Lupus has allowed me to become more knowledgeable on something I didn’t even know existed before I had it…I look at my disease as a blessing in disguise.”**

Laila Robinson-James Madison University, VA

**“At least I know I haven't been making all of this up.”**

Selena D. Tang - Arizona State University

“Lupus made me the strongest version of myself, the most grateful, and the most loving. Lupus meant that I would go on to share my message and teach others that it is possible to overcome negativity and choose hope.”

Thu Vu - University of Portland, OR

**“Even though my journey with lupus has been many ups and downs, I would not take it back. It has made me who I am today, a strong lupus warrior, with a mission to pay it forward."**

Leah Wasson - Macalester College, MN

“Despite all the pain it has caused me, lupus has made one of the most positive impacts on me. It’s only through my diagnosis that I’ve learned this valuable lesson: accepting help isn’t a sign of failure. It’s a display of immeasurable courage and love.”

Cydney White-University of Maryland, MD

“Being in and out of the hospital helped me discover my passion for helping others. Regardless of how I am helping, either by tutoring, giving back to my community, or helping someone find a classroom, I find joy in making people happy.”

As President of L.I.F.E., I have a special thanks to our sponsors that have shown others how to be empowered through the act of giving, while at the same time, L.I.F.E. creates newfound stability for students living with lupus and facing insurmountable adversity. The work of volunteers and donors allows us to give the gift of knowledge. And there is no greater gift!

Jodi L. Norton
Lupus Inspiration Foundation for Excellence (L.I.F.E.)
President & Co-founder