The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recently honored four local college-bound seniors with scholarships for their academic achievements and for thriving even as their lives have been touched by MS. Each girl has a parent with the debilitating disease. The Community News sat down with them to learn more about their personal challenges and victories.
Meet the scholars
Madeline L. Beck
Age: 18
Home: Brennan Estates, Bear
Alma Mater: Padua Academy, 2009
Plans: Lehigh University
Beck loves working with kids and may pursue teaching, or engineering to design more-efficient vehicles.
Lindsay A. DiMuzio
Age: 18
Home: Brandywine Hundred
Alma Mater: Padua Academy, 2009
Plans: Neumann College or Holy Family University
With a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, DiMuzio hopes to teach kindergarten as well as dance to children.
Shannen E. Jones
Age: 18
Home: Longwood, Brandywine Hundred
Alma Mater: Brandywine High School.
Plans: West Chester University or University of Delaware
Jones hopes to become a physical therapist and earn a master’s degree.
Megan E. Smutz
Age: 18
Home: Bellevue Manor in East Brandywine
Alma Mater: Mt. Pleasant High School.
Plans: James Madison University or University of Delaware
Smutz wants to study communications to become a relations director in the fashion industry or community service.
Why do you think you won an MS scholarship?
Beck: I wrote an essay about my mother and uncle’s struggles with MS and how they have overcome the difficulties they have had to face and how they inspire me to do the same thing in my life with problems that are less serious.
DiMuzio: I truly understand the hardship and struggle people living with MS go through everyday and the strength and determination it takes to make it through each day. I have grown as a person since discovering my mom's condition.
Jones: I won because even though I haven't experienced MS first hand, I have two family members that have it and learned a lot about life and my views of it.
Smutz: My story came from my heart and touched others. Hopefully it gave people a sense of hope because even though you are brought down by something as terrible as my father getting MS, you can still make it through if you keep your strength and courage.
What is the best advice you’ve gotten or given?
Beck: When in doubt, convert to moles. (This only works for chemistry)
DiMuzio: Live each day to the fullest and don't regret anything because at the time it was exactly what you wanted.
Jones: To never pity yourself and let life pass you by just because you have hit a bump in the road, no matter how small or big.
Smutz: To always try my best so I know it’s my best work. I always want to feel proud of myself and and if I try my best than I'll always achieve that pride.
What is your secret to happiness and/or success?
Beck: Happiness comes from appreciating the little things, looking past all the debris to see the beauty in life and basically living for the day. I think finding happiness is success.
DiMuzio: Don't worry about what other people think. The people that matter don't care and the people that care don’t matter.
Jones: Being ambitious and setting goals for myself. Then watching me reach these goals, whatever they are, is a great feeling in life.
Smutz: I’m not sure I have a secret. Probably just trying my hardest and giving my best effort. Always trying to surpass what I think I can do.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Beck: Graduated and backpacking through Europe (or at least Ireland) before finding a job in engineering. I don’t really know what the future holds.
DiMuzio: I see myself graduating college, with a job living with my best friend in an apartment in the city. Loving my life, my family and my friends.
Jones: I see myself in graduate school working for the best education I can get to have a successful job that I enjoy and can support a family with someday.
Smutz: Finishing college and getting a job either as a journalist or working in P.R. or event coordinating.
Finish this sentence, “If I had a million dollars …”
Beck: ... I would be able to afford to go to college.
DiMuzio: … Put a quarter in the bank, give a quarter to my parents, finish paying for college, go shopping, and take my family on a cruise.
Jones: … I would no doubt buy a house directly on the beach. There isn't much else I would want besides, so I would probably donate a good portion of what was left.
Smutz: … I would help out charities and my family. Probably pay for college, too.
What others are saying ...
“This is the student who will enrich the next learning environment to which she travels with her curiosity and her passion. She will ask the questions that will get the whole class wondering.”
Terry Mattina,
Beck’s guidance counselor
“Her mother’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis has meant Lindsay has gradually been assuming more and more home responsibilities over several years. In addition, she did many tasks in her mother’s second grade classroom that her mother could not do for herself.”
Terry Mattina,
DiMuzio’s guidance counselor
“She is active at her school, has done outside activities like dance, volunteered for a physical therapy group, all while working and participating in activities here at the YMCA. She displays all the characteristics (honesty, respect, responsibility and caring) that we emphasize here.”
Gary Karp,
Brandywine YMCA
“Megan elected to be part of the most challenging program available at Mount Pleasant High School. She was accepted into the Pre-International Baccalaureate Programme in grade nine. While many of her original classmates elected not to accept the challenge of the [program] in grades 11 and 12, Megan has continued with this rigorous course of study.”
Lynn Wright
Jones’ guidance counselor
