Olivia’s Bears – Jessica Stone Memorial Scholarship

To continue our desire to help as many children and young adults as possible through our organization, in 2020, we created the Olivia’s Bears – Jessica Stone Memorial Scholarship. Olivia wanted to create a scholarship in hopes to help a college or college-bound student with their dream of attending college after or during a battle with a life-threatening illness. This scholarship was created in honor of her very close friend Jessica Stone, whom we lost to the same cancer Olivia battled in 2013. On behalf of Olivia’s Bears and in memory of Jessica Stone, a $1000 scholarship will be awarded to up to two students each year. As of 2023, we have extended this scholarship opportunity to siblings of those who are or battling or have battled a life-threatening illness. 

All students face challenges, but none more than those students struggling to overcome a life-threatening illness. A life-threatening diagnosis can have devastating effects on a student and their families. Beyond the physical stresses of fighting the illness, there is an accompanying emotional stress and depression that can derail a promising academic career. Students fighting these illnesses can sometimes feel that there is little point in continuing their education. Moreover, the high costs of treatments only serve to reinforce the idea that college is no longer a possibility, let alone a priority. But nothing could be further from the truth. The emotional and psychological benefits of pursuing a personal ambition can have a profound effect on a patient’s recovery. 

To be eligible, an applicant must satisfy the following requirements: 

1. The applicant must be 25 years of age or younger and a survivor of a life-threatening illness or currently diagnosed with an illness. The applicant does not have to be currently receiving treatment to qualify. 

2. The applicant is enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a two-year, four-year, graduate and technical schools. 

3. The Committee requires the recipient of a scholarship to submit a copy of an acceptance letter or unofficial transcript from the college/university/school of their choice or a letter of good standing from the registrar. 

4. The applicant must complete the Scholarship Application and mail to Olivia’s Bears – Jessica. Stone Memorial Scholarship Application – 2901 Niagara Street PO Box #287 Sanborn, NY 14132.

5. The applicant must submit two letters of recommendation from two different academic teachers or professors addressing why they should receive the scholarship. 

6. A letter from your attending physician or family members verifying medical history and/or your current medical situation must also be submitted. Medical information will be kept confidential and will only be utilized to support the qualification of consideration for the scholarship. 

7. The applicant must submit an essay discussing the following question. HOW HAS MY EXPERIENCE WITH A LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS IMPACTED MY LIFE VALUES AND CAREER GOALS? Essays must be a minimum of 500 words and a maximum of 1200 words. 

8. The applicants and their parents if they are minors, must sign a release, that they agree to have their name and photo published in the news media or any Olivia’s Bears publications as a recipient of Olivia’s Bears – Jessica Stone Memorial Scholarship and that they agree to have their name, photo and success story to be published on this website or in any Olivia’s Bears publication. 

Siblings of children with a life-threatening illness feel a lot of stress. Family routines change, and they experience a range of emotions, including anger, sadness, anxiety, and guilt. They may worry about what is happening to their brother or sister, feel afraid they did something to cause their sibling’s illness, or feel as if they are getting less attention from their other family members. They can also find it hard to manage school responsibilities and social relationships when everything at home is changing” (American Cancer Society). As a life-threatening illness affects the whole family, we hope that this scholarship can help alleviate the financial burden of attending college for siblings of individuals impacted by a life-threatening illness. 

To be eligible, an applicant must satisfy the following requirements: 

1. The applicant must be 25 years or younger and a sibling of an individual diagnosed with a life-threatening illness who is currently receiving treatment, have survived or has passed away from the illness. 

2. The applicant is enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a two-year, four-year, graduate or technical school.

3. The Committee requires the recipient of a scholarship to submit a copy of an acceptance letter or unofficial transcript from the college/university/school of their choice or a letter of good standing from the registrar. 

4. The applicant must complete the Scholarship Application and mail to Olivia’s Bears – Jessica Stone Memorial Scholarship Application – 2901 Niagara Street PO Box #287 Sanborn, NY 14132. 

5. The applicant must submit two letters of recommendation from two different academic teachers or professors addressing why they should receive the scholarship. 

6. A letter from your sibling’s attending physician or family members verifying medical history and/or their current medical situation must also be submitted. Medical information will be kept confidential and will only be utilized to support the qualification of consideration for the scholarship. 

7. The applicant must submit an essay discussing the following question. HOW HAS MY EXPERIENCE BEING A SIBLING OF SOMEONE WITH A LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS IMPACTED MY LIFE VALUES AND CAREER GOALS? Essays must be a minimum of 500 words and a maximum of 1200 words. 

8. The applicants and their parents if they are minors, must sign a release, that they agree to have their name and photo published in the news media or any Olivia’s Bears publications as a recipient of Olivia’s Bears – Jessica Stone Memorial Scholarship and that they agree to have their name, photo and success story to be published on this website or in any Olivia’s Bears publication.