MS Scholarship Makes Life a Bit Easier for Bear Student

Madeline Beck

Life is full of possibilities, especially for Bear resident Madeline Beck, who has been awarded a scholarship from the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.

This national scholarship program awards high school seniors who either have MS or have a relative with the disease.  Started in 2003, the MS scholarship program offers financial support to students for their first year of education beyond high school.  In 2009, over $1 million was awarded 510 scholars around the country, and only four were from Delaware.

Madeline’s mother was diagnosed with MS almost 10 years ago, but life isn’t too unusual for their family.

“It’s not usually different,” Madeline explained. “She deals with it well.  Sometimes, she’ll get really tired and have to stay in bed.  She’ll get migraines, too.”

MS is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system.  Symptoms and progress of the disease vary between patients and are often unpredictable.

Besides being touched by MS, eligibility for the scholarship was also based on extracurricular activities and community involvement.  Madeline made the most of her high school career, playing the clarinet in Padua Academy’s marching band for four years, participating in Math League, was a Homeroom Representative for student council, played club soccer and worked with the stage crew for Salesianum.

The recent Padua Academy graduate is set to attend Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA this fall to study mechanical engineering.  Immersing herself right at the start, Madeline has already signed up for engineering courses for her first semester.

The oldest of four siblings, Madeline is the first to venture off to college.  Her mother encourages Madeline and her brothers to spend at least one year away from home after college, but she is still sad to see her eldest start the process.

Although she doesn’t entirely know where her studies may take her, she has plenty to look forward to for the future.

“It’s kind of scary,” said Madeline.

“I’m looking forward to not really being on my own, but being able to figure it out…and hopefully being successful at it.”