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The scholarship Organization's Mission
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Among the things that are deserving, is the undying will to continue, and to overcome the 'whirlwinds' of life.
The Keegan Wahler Memorial Scholarship is an award that is designed to recognise the "heroism" of a student who has fought to overcome life's little 'whirlwinds'; never losing sight of their goals.
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".
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History of the Scholarship Organization
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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 Keegan 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.
Keegan became an inspiration to his older brother, Logan, who plans to work in medical research, and went to school at California Lutheran Univerisity to major in Biomedical Engineering.
A few summers ago Logan was volunteering at the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) where he began working on Cystic Fibrosis research (a publication can be viewed at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Keegan's 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.
Anyone interested in connecting with others who deal with similar hardships should visit the information and support page on this website.
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What we look for in applicants
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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 stuttering 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.
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.
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The Scholarship Committee
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| | Members of the scholarship committee: | |
| Vice Chairman | | Logan C. Wahler |
| Secretary / Treasurer | | Jill Crowley-Proulx |
| Board Members | | Alexander Buntjer
Fran Savage
Amy Swank
Kara Wahler |
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