USA high school and college students fighting MS and earning scholarships!
Focused on education, awareness and a cure for Multiple Sclerosis
About us
Our legacy
The Mary J. Szczepanski “Never Give Up” MS Scholarship Foundation is starting its 24th year and offers annual scholarships to seniors at Catholic Central, Covenant Christian, Kenowa Hills and Northview High Schools in the Grand Rapids, MI area for creatively raising funds for Multiple Sclerosis. In the fall of 2008, all United States high schools and all United States universities in 2010 were invited to participate. This extraordinary program has touched the lives of many people in our communities across the United States and is constantly raising awareness to this terrible disease.
The program was developed in 1997 to honor my mom, who lived with MS for 38 years. My wife, also named Mary, has been living with MS for 33 years. One or two $500.00 scholarships are awarded at each high school, one to a male and female senior who raises the most funds for MS. Each school’s program is set up differently. A beautiful engraved plaque is also presented to each winner to commemorate his or her accomplishment. Nine scholarships are offered to high school students annually and one offered to college students annually.
All money raised by the students, over $29,000 to date, has been donated to Accelerated Cure Project for research.
The Mary J. Szczepanski “Never Give Up” MS Scholarship Foundation has built its own reputation of community awareness, education in the high schools, raising funds for multiple sclerosis, and being recognized in 2005 as the most imaginative venture in our state. Educators, students and businesses have applauded our efforts to fight MS. The Szczepanski Scholarship Program was honored in 2002 with a Bronze Achievement Award for raising over $31,000.00 for MS.
Our fifty-seven scholarship recipients have attended the University of Michigan, University of Maryland, University of Detroit Mercy, UC Davis, University of Northwest Ohio, University of Arizona, Northeastern University in Boston, Michigan State, Ferris State, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Grand Valley State, Louisiana Tech, Cedarville University, Davenport University, Oakland University, Portland State University, Baylor University, UAB, Angelo State University, Baker College of Muskegon, Trine University, Hope College, Aquinas College, Olivet College, Oakland Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Catawba College, Rhode Island College and Grand Rapids Community College.
Mary J. Szczepanski "Never Give Up" MS Scholarship Foundation Projects
Two annual college scholarships at Catholic Central High School (23rd year)
Two annual college scholarships at Kenowa Hills High School (22nd year)
Two annual college scholarships at Covenant Christian High School (17th year)
One annual college scholarship at Northview High School (15th year)
One annual college scholarship awarded from Michigan high schools (18th year)
One annual college scholarship awarded from all USA high schools (16th year)
One annual scholarship awarded from all USA universities (14th year)
