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NOTE TO MEDIA: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter will host a dessert reception to honor and recognize 2008 MS Scholarship recipients Tuesday, July 29, at 7 p.m. Honorees hail from four Connecticut towns: Berlin, Guilford, Southington and Waterford. Reporters are invited and encouraged to attend and cover award recipients. The reception will be held at 659 Tower Ave., First Floor, in Hartford, Conn. RSVP is required. To confirm attendance and secure a media pass, please contact Karen E. Butler, Vice President of Communications, at 860-714-2300, ext. 230.

Chapter Honors 2008 National Multiple Sclerosis Scholarship Recipients 

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is addressing the challenges of living with MS. We help families with MS keep their lives moving forward. The society is moving lives forward in many ways including through funding higher education. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Scholarship Program exists to help highly qualified students affected by MS attend college. Finalists are selected by an outside national firm known as Scholarship America. This year’s candidates were selected from a pool of 43 submissions. 

The Scholarship task force, a committee of the Connecticut Chapter Board of Trustees, awarded scholarships to the four finalists presented by Scholarship America to the chapter. Task force members include Selsa Searfoss; Dr. William Petit, Jr.; Diane Biegle, Ph.D.; and Karen Guarnaccia. 

2008 National Multiple Sclerosis Scholarship Recipients:

Kim Tynik
 Berlin native Kim Tynik is no stranger to challenges. When Kim was 12 her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At 16 Kim herself was diagnosed with a tumor on her pituitary gland. However, Kim says her mother’s courage in the face of adversity helped her in her own fight. While participating in many extracurricular activities Kim was able to graduated in the top 30 percent of her class. She is an avid swimmer, attending state championships multiple times throughout high school career. Kim was president of Berlin High School’s international club. In addition, she also works at CVS as a pharmacy tech and hopes to become a pharmacist in the future. 

 

 

Olivia Burdick
Olivia Burdick, a Waterford resident, jumped out of bed Christmas morning in restlessly expectation. Just 9 years old, she could barely contain herself as she awaited the opening of gifts. However, instead, Olivia awoke to a day full of anxiety and fear. A day landing her family, not around the radiant evergreen, but rather sitting for endless hours in an emergency room. Her mother was diagnosed with MS. For a while Olivia was the primary caregiver. Her mom’s condition has since improved, but Olivia is at her side whenever need be. In high school Olivia was a member of the Medical Careers Club, Class Council and Key Club. She also volunteers and shadows at a local hospital. She has competed in French at an international level and excelled in her studies. 

 

 

Kylie Justo
When Kylie Justo, a resident of Southington, was 7, she found her mother crying in the bathroom. That day the MS was just too overwhelming. It was the first time Kylie had to get herself ready for school. Kylie watched her mother battle through many challenges related to her disease, including blindness. She observed her mother embrace the good in every day and says her mom is a fighter. Kylie also says her mother’s determination motivates her to use all the talents and blessing she has been given.

 

 

 

Kelsey Hodge

Guilford resident, Kelsey Hodge can’t remember a day without having to deal with multiple sclerosis. Her mother was diagnosed when Kelsey was just 6 months old. However, this remarkable woman has gone beyond just taking on additional responsibilities. At age 6, she helped establish the MS Junior Ambassador Program. She has devoted herself to the annual with Walk MS for as long as she can remember. Kelsey also participates in many extracurricular activities. She is a certified EMT and will become a member of the Guilford Fire Department when she turns 18 in just a few months.

 

 

 

NOTE TO MEDIA
For More Information
Contact Karen Butler
Vice President of Communications
Phone: 860.714.2300, ext. 230
kbutler@ctfightsMS.org

 

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