The Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana sponsors two scholarships one for college bound high school seniors and one for the non-traditional adult student who live in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
Shannon O' Daniel Memorial Scholarship
Vision: The recipient of the Shannon O'Daniel Memorial Scholarship should be a student who has shown courage in dealing with epilepsy and seizure, commitment to their education, and perseverance in eliminating the obstacles that epilepsy and seizures may present.
About the Scholarship The Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana is now accepting applications for the 2018 Shannon O'Daniel Memorial Scholarship Award. The one-year $1,000 award is given to a deserving student who meets the following criteria:
• Is under a physician's care for epilepsy (also called seizure disorder); • Is a college-bound high school senior; • Lives in Kentucky (excluding Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties) or lives in Clark, Floyd or Harrison Counties in Indiana.
Shannon O'Daniel was a senior in college and just credits away from graduating when she died from what was attributed to SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy). Her life was a struggle to overcome the seizures that frequently disrupted her life. She did so with a determination to achieve her dreams, one of which was receiving a college diploma. In the aftermath of her tragic death, this scholarship was created to honor Shannon's achievements. Judges will award the scholarship to the student who meets the above criteria and who best fits the scholarship's vision.
Past Scholarship Recipients: 2002 Jason Buffat 2009 Mary Whitlock 2016 Cody Peele 2003 Ashley Hester 2010 Barbara Vanderveer 2017 Makayla True Stock 2004 Whitney Mayo 2011 Ashley Walter 2018 Nina Piazza 2005 Lori Payton 2012 Lindsey Taylor Hannan 2006 Elizabeth Farrar 2013 Nicole M. Peters 2007 Bradley Waller 2014 Alexander Story 2008 Emerson Dick 2015 Wesley Layne
Peggy Sherrell Memorial Scholarship Vision: The recipient of the Peggy Sherrell Memorial Scholarship will be a degree- or certificate-seeking student who shows courage when dealing with epilepsy and seizures, a strong commitment to their education, and perseverance in may eliminating the obstacles epilepsy and seizures may present.
About the Scholarship The Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana is now accepting applications for the 2018 Peggy Sherrell Memorial Scholarship. This one-year, $1,000 award is given to a deserving non-traditional, adult student who meets the following criteria.
• Is under a physician's care for epilepsy (also called seizure disorder); • Is a degree or certificate seeking non-traditional student (either first-time adult learner, or those returning to complete their degree or certificate); • Lives in Kentucky (excluding Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties) or lives in Clark, Floyd or Harrison Counties in Indiana.
Peggy Sherrell was a 46 year-old wife and mother of two adult children who died suddenly on August 28, 2010 from what was attributed to SUDEP. Peggy believed that education was extremely important and therefore, her family determined that a scholarship would be the perfect way to carry on her legacy. Her family strives to assist the Foundation in educating people on the possible effects of SUDEP.
Most people with epilepsy live a full life span. However, there are potential factors associated with living with epilepsy/seizures that may increase the risk of early death. Although Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is not well understood, it is suspected to sometimes be related to heart rhythm problems during a seizure. SUDEP occurs more often among people with convulsive seizures that are not well controlled. More research is needed to fully understand what causes SUDEP.
