Collegefund for students with Tourette syndrome

Last month during Tourette Awareness Month, high school students were finishing their Class of 2021 graduation requirements.  This past year for them had been like no other.  Those graduating from high school were navigating their unknown futures.  Unsure of what college may look like for them, they forged forward trying to apply to college, gap year programs, vocational classes.  If they had Tourette syndrome, that future was even more hazy.   

Here at the ScholasTIC Tourette Supporters, we forged ahead also. Planning to give scholarships amidst unknown fundraising plans and a budget that was slow to grow.  We continued to monitor our bank accounts and support our community of students to apply for scholarships.  June 1 was the deadline to turn in all the required letters of recommendation, transcripts, essays, and information data.  

Silver-lined clouds always seem to be fictional. This year we were lucky to have some blow our way; we found dedicated supporters who held birthday fundraisers in our honor.  We had some anonymous donors send some much-needed funds and we found that 25 students from around the nation had applied for our scholarship.

Upon further investigation, our reach had gone even further.  Not just western states are represented by our applicants, but 13 different states had students apply for our scholarship.  We were able to extend our opportunity to the opposite coast; from California to Florida and New York, we had applicants find us that have Tourette syndrome and want to further their education and whom can use our help.  

To all of our supporters, donors and benefactors:  Your donations really do reach real students with real lives and Tourette syndrome.  When you believe in our mission, you believe in the future of our Tourette community.  The next wave of scholars will be announced in August.  You will get to meet them as we post about their essays, the adversity they've had to overcome, the hope they have for inclusion and equality.  

Stay with us on this journey and when you can, donate to our efforts to provide scholarships to students with Tourette syndrome.  You won't be disappointed!

• stsbrochure3_pdf.pdf (PDF)
  

To all of our Supporters,

During this unprecedented year of quarantine, "stay-at-home" orders and virtual learning, we thank you for your donations and words of encouragement.  We have been able to stay on track with our strategic plan to raise enough money to continue the scholarship funding.  

We always plan our year in advance so future highschool classes have an opportunity to apply for a set number of scholarships.  The uncertainty of this past year prevented in-person fundraising, galas, and silent auctions.  We added grant applications to our new plan and the GlobalGiving platform to maximize our visibility on-line and through social media. 

We had our first board meeting of 2021 last month and our treasurer reported that we are actually meeting previous years' goals using our new skills.  We wanted to fund 5 scholars at the $2000-$2500 level and we have achieved this through private donations, the GlobalGiving Campaign, and through Birthday fundraisers in which we were the recipient.  

To be able to give to our students with Tourette syndrome, makes our hearts soar.  We met one of our major goals of keeping our scholarships in larger amounts.  With our continued fundraising with GlobalGiving, we can add monetary options at lesser amounts to more students, thus expanding our reach. 

Currently, our application process is open, and accepting new submissions.  We have at least 16 students in the queue finishing the application process and we expect to receive more since the deadline to apply is June 1, 2021.

Our students benefit because of your help.  The challenges they have overcome are recognized and rewarded, their unique learning profile is celebrated.  Overcoming personal challenges and preserving despite a disability is the characteristic we look for most.  If we could give to all our applicants we would, and maybe someday we can. 

Janine Tejeda, President

ScholasTIC Tourette Supporters

• agenda_1Q2021.pdf (PDF)