The Keegan Wahler Memorial Scholarship is an award that is designed to showcase the heroism of a student who has fought to overcome odds (referred to as 'whirlwinds') against him or her; never losing sight of their goals.
Among the things that are deserving, is the undying will to continue, and to overcome the 'whirlwinds' of life.
This is among the most difficult and therefore among the most commendable elements of spirit one can posses.
The scholarship is designed to honor the spirit of people such as Keegan Wahler, who dealt with numerous physical disabilities, yet continued to fight his way through life, ignoring those voices that said can't and won't, with a never quit attitude.
We have found that the best portrayal of what we are looking for in found both through a presentation of profiles of past recipients, and the creative design of this website in an attempt to make it fit the personalities of those we are looking for.
In our search for potential recipients we look for those who have ignored the voice that says "can't" or "won't".
With the Knowlege that even Albert Einstein heard these discouraging voices as he struggled to pass his math tests, that Thomas Edison never completed school, that Ben Franklin was an early dropout or even that James Earl Jones has a terrible studdering problem, we have decided that a student's GPA should not be a significant factor in winning this scholarship.
Instead, we look for the drive to further one's education after high school graduation, the drive to better oneself.
Among the things we look for in this would be a student who has not been turned away by less than perfect classroom grades, test scores that fluctuate depending upon the test format, a student that does well in spite of interference due from a physical disability, etc.
All personality types an abilities are applicable, (artists, scientists, writers, trekkies, wierdos, etc).
We also do not preclude those with a high GPA headed to a major university.
We simply work to avoid reading the labels that society likes to create.
To win this award, a student must demonstrate that he or she met a whirlwind placed in the way with courage, perseverance, and a never-quit attitude.
It can be a physical challenge, an emotional challenge, a home challenge, different learning needs, a move into a new school setting, a death in the family, etc.
One possible way that one might demonstrate this would be through an essay, similar to the hardship essay written by Keegan's brother when he applied to the bioengineering department at California Lutheran University.
It is also acceptable to use another means, such as presentation, in person interview, etc.
The award will be to deserving students at Amador Valley High School, Foothill High School, and Village High School in Pleasanton, California, and is generally given out at the end of each academic year.
The application process usually begins in the month of February.
Those who wish to apply for this scholarship may proceed to the application page to print out the application.
This scholarship began in 2001 after Keegan Wahler died, resulting from a genetic disease that affected his lungs known as Cystic Fibrosis.
Throughout his entire life he was an inspiration to everyone around him.
Even as a child, struggling with respiratory problems, going in and out of the hospital constantly, he would adamantly demand to do everything himself.
When the Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute (CFRI) held their summer retreats for children who had Cystic Fibrosis, he would always insist on going, and then on being left alone to do his things.
In 2000, he received a double-lung transplant, and managed to inspire others with his enthusiasm for the things he had never been able to do prior to it.
He became an inspiration to his older brother, who plans to work in medical research, and is currently working toward a major in Bioengineering.
Recently, this past summer, he was volunteering at The Children's Hospital Research Center in Oakland (CHORI) where he helped with Cystic Fibrosis research, and is currently researching the role of Pseduomonas bacteria in CF mucin, and its ability to metabolise antibiotics. He too fights the odds.
Though able to attain extremely high academic achievement scores, he has historically tended to have erratic classroom grades primarily due to his unconventional methods.
His younger sister, Kara, was inspired by him has written about The Need for Compassion toward those who appear to be disabled or sick, and that compassion is one of the most important things that people need to be shown in order to help maintain a positive outlook on things.
Having seen this need for compassion is the reason why we also host an internet-based support group.
We believe that compassion is one of the most important things that can be shown, and thus we have also started a CF Support List to help people through their hardships.
Anyone interested in connecting with others who deal with similar hardships should visit the information and support page on this website.
