2012 College Scholarship Winners

The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York is pleased and proud to announce their 2012 college scholarship winners.

Valeria Zhukova from Beacon, NY, daughter of Tracy and Svetlana Murphy, is the recipient of the first annual Nick Birchak Strength of Character College Scholarship in the amount of $2,000.  She is a 2012 graduate of Beacon High School and will be attending Clarkson University in the fall where she will be studying for a career in the business field.  Read Valeria's inspiring story here.

Kiernan Puvogel from Guilderland, NY is the recipient of a $1,000 Epilepsy Foundation College Scholarship and one of the $1,000 Lyle Reuben Fieser College Scholarships.  Kiernan is the son of Stephen and Lisa Puvogel and a 2012 graduate of Guilderland High School.  He will be attending Hudson Valley Community College and plans to pursue a career in Elementary Special Education.  Read Kiernan's inspiring essay here.

Amanda Ferguson from Ballston Spa, NY, is also a recipient of a $1,000 Lyle Reuben Fieser College Scholarship.  She is the daughter of Jon and Kimberly Ferguson and currently a student at Schenectady County Community College where she is working towards a degree in Human Services.  Read Amanda's inspiring story here.

Valeria, Kiernan and Amanda have faced many challenges as teens with epilepsy but have not let the disorder prevent them from reaching their goals.  Each of these students describe personal strengths as a result of their struggles in their inspiring essays.