Best in Class
in Awareness
JDRF knows that despite the challenges of living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), many people have worked harder, dreamed bigger, and achieved greater. In collaboration with the Diabetes Scholars Foundation since 2011, JDRF offers four annual scholarships to high school graduates who are entering four-year institutions the coming fall.
The 2013 JDRF Scholarships have been awarded, and this yearās recipients epitomize the highest standards throughout their livesāin school, in their communities, with their families and peers, and in the T1D community. These four students do us all proud by showing us not only how to manage the burden of T1D, but how to triumph over it. Congratulations to the scholarship class of 2013āwe havenāt heard the last of you yet!
JDRF Scholarship ā $5,000
Noah Meyer
St. Charles, Illinois
Diagnosed with T1D at age 13
Advanced Placement Scholar
German National Honor Society
National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist
State Scholar
Co-founder, Discussion Leader, Book Club
Captain, Chess Club
Peer Leader
Sound Board Operator at church
Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children
Will attend:
Case Western University, Biology
Most likely to:
Noah will embark on a career in medical research.
āThere are countless ways in which one life can have a positive influence on another, but I hope to help improve the quality of life for people by contributing to advances in medicine and the medical field.ā
JDRF Outreach Scholarship ā $1,000
Jordan Berger
Syracuse, Utah
Diagnosed with T1D at age 12
Commendation, National Merit Scholarship Program
Advanced Placement Scholar
Double lettered in debate
Editor, school newspaper
Captain, Secretary, Debate Club
Writerās Club
Stage Crew
Yearbook
Camp Counselor, diabetes camp
Will attend:
University of Utah, Social Work
Most likely to:
After college, Jordan plans to become a child-life specialist, working in hospitals to help children cope with disease diagnosis.
āI remember my diagnosis and hospitalization being the most confusing and scary point in my life. I hope that I can help other children so that their time in the hospital is the best it can be. I hope I can add something positive to a time filled with negativity.ā
JDRF Advocacy Scholarship ā $1,000
Adam Moss
Rockville Centre, New York
Diagnosed with T1D at age 5
Captain, Engineering Club
Tennis player
The Presidentās Volunteer Service Award
National Prudential Spirit of Community Award
New York State Legislature recognition for volunteer/community service
Nassau County Citation for creating awareness about type 1 diabetes
President, Rockville Chapter, Bānai Brith Youth Organization
Teaching Assistant, Central Synagogue
Lobbyist to U.S. Congress for Reform Judaism
President, Long Island Advisory Board, Best Buddies
Will attend:
Brandeis University, Political Science
Most likely to:
Adam plans to become a lawyer representing children with disabilities and special needs.
āI look at type 1 diabetes as bittersweet. No one wants to live with this disease, but I wouldnāt be in the place Iām in now if I hadnāt been diagnosed when I wasāand the place Iām in now is pretty great.ā
JDRF Medical/Research Scholarship ā $1,000
Catrina Tellez
Felton, California
Diagnosed with T1D at age 8
High School Valedictorian
Advanced Placement Scholar
National Hispanic Recognition Program
High Honor Roll, four years running
Vice President, Treasurer, Speech Team
Captain, Golf Team
Captain, Assistant Team Manager, Destination Imagination
Student Advisory Board to U.S. Representative
Will attend:
Vassar College, Biology
Most likely to:
After college, Catrina plans to attend medical school and become a surgeon.
āNever let type 1 diabetes stop you from doing what you want to do; it doesnāt have that kind of power. And never try to hide the fact that you have itātype 1 diabetes isnāt embarrassing if you rock it!ā