Stephanie Joseph ...

 

... was a talented, dedicated, and charming young figure skater who fought valiantly to overcome cancer while continuing to manage school studies and skating. She always kept a smile on her face and never let her overwhelming challenges get her down.

 

Her cancer was diagnosed at age 8. Soft-tissue sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, was the diagnosis and treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

 

Despite suffering severe burns from the treatment and dealing with leg swelling, she returned to the lifestyle of a competitive skater. She went on to travel, successfully compete, and test USFS skating levels. She mastered many triple jumps, and showed grace and elegance on the ice.

 

Many friends and family were in awe of her accomplishments. In addition to skating, she pursued and showed dedication to other areas of interest such as dance, track and field, and cross-country.

 

After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Missouri and continued utilizing her creative abilities with a major in journalism and a specialization in advertising. She had a natural ability to write. Her parents were always amazed by her creative endeavors both on and off the ice.

 

Stephanie’s cancer returned while she was in college. She refused to let her disease interfere with her strong work ethic and her desire to live life to the fullest. She remained a full-time college student while undergoing numerous medical therapies and treatments.

 

Stephanie loved life.

 

Stephanie’s spirit will live on forever.

Mission Statement

 

This scholarship fund has been developed in loving memory of Stephanie Joseph, who was an inspiration to many and will remain in our hearts forever. The recipient of this scholarship will be awarded funds to pursue academic ambitions with the courage, passion, valor, and strength that Stephanie showed while faced with overwhelming adversity. The individual must possess the strong desire to attend college and continue academic pursuits in the face of hardship and adversity. The hardship may be on a personal level or within their immediate family.

 

 

Click here to download an application form

 

 

Scholarship Recipient Criteria

 

• Personality traits similar to Stephanie: strong work ethic, dedication to school work and sports, always cordial and polite to others, puts others ahead of self, and desire for completion and success.

 

• High school Senior student (male or female) with minimum 3.0 GPA (on 4.0 scale) and proven plans to attend four-year college.

 

• Completion of the application form (postmarked) by March 31, 2012.

 

• Completion of short essay incorporating the following: stating what adversities or hardships the applicant has encountered and what the applicant has done to transcend the hardship. Also, how the applicant would be enlightened by Stephanie’s spirit. Give one example of a time when they put others before self.

 

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General Information

 

• The scholarship funds will vary from year to year, depending on available monies at the time of disbursement.

 

• One scholarship will be awarded annually, unless the Stephanie Joseph Memorial Fund (SJMF) board deems that there is enough funding to divide monies to more applicants.

 

• The scholarship recipient will be selected after applications are reviewed by the SJMF board members. Recipient selection will be based on how well the applicant meets the specified criteria.

 

• If several applicants meet the specified criteria, the board members may require the applicants to interview with them in order to determine recipient selection. Final selection will be awarded to the candidate demonstrating the most similarities to Stephanie’s work ethic and conduct.

 

• Awarded monies must be used for college tuition purposes or college incidentals.

 

• The scholarship will be awareded to the recipient by the SJMF board members.

 

• Completed applications (essay must be included prior to review) should be postmarked no later than March 31, 2012 and mailed to The Stephanie Joseph Memorial Fund, ATTN: Scholarships, 3 S 555 Winfield Road, Warrenville, IL 60555.

 

• Awarded candidates will be notified by June 15th and presented with monies as deemed by the SJMF board.

 

• The scholarship monies will be awarded to the recipient(s) by the Stephanie Joseph Memorial Fund Board at the awards dinner to be held on July 22, 2010.

 

• All submitted applications are kept in strict confidence and reviewed solely by the SJMF board.

 

• The recipient may be asked to attend a fund raising event in Stephanie’s honor, to facilitate donations to the Stephanie Joseph Memorial Fund.

 

• This scholarship is intended to commemorate and honor the memory of Stephanie Terese Joseph.

 

• Family members of the SJMF board are not eligible to apply