CF Scholars: Stories of Determination

Dreams and Determination: Meet four Inspiring students, Living with cystic fibrosis.

One of the greatest joys of The Bonnell Foundation is helping young adults living with cystic fibrosis pursue their educational dreams. Every year, we award scholarships to students attending universities, trade schools, and community colleges. While these scholarships help with tuition and expenses, they also send an important message: we believe in these students and in the futures they are building.

Living with cystic fibrosis often means balancing classes, careers, friendships, and family life alongside daily treatments, medications, and frequent medical appointments. For many families, the financial burden of CF can make the cost of higher education even more challenging. That's why our scholarship program is so meaningful. Each year, our top recipients receive $2,500 to help them continue their education and pursue their goals.

The thank-you notes we receive from recipients are heartfelt reminders that a scholarship is about much more than money. It is about hope, opportunity, and encouragement.

On this week's podcast, we are honored to introduce four remarkable scholarship recipients whose determination and resilience inspire us.

Serena Scillia is a 20-year-old from Westerville, Ohio, attending Bowling Green State University. Serena is studying Early Childhood Education and hopes to become a teacher. When she's not focused on her studies, she enjoys coaching volleyball, reading, and spending time with her family and beloved dog. Serena's passion for helping others shines through in her career choice, and she's determined to make a difference in the lives of children.

Jayla Jacobs has been living with cystic fibrosis since she was diagnosed at age five. Now 18 years old, she has already become a powerful advocate for the CF community. Jayla has spoken at multiple fundraising and awareness events, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Guys and Dolls Auction Gala, where she helped raise an incredible $2.2 million for CF research. This fall, she will begin studying English at North Carolina State University. Jayla loves outdoor adventures, drawing, and writing stories. She also understands the impact of CF on families, with two of her brothers living with the disease as well.

Isabella Banaszynski is preparing for an exciting new chapter as she heads to Drexel University in Philadelphia this fall. An accomplished club wrestler and aspiring architect, Isabella has already demonstrated the discipline and determination needed to succeed in demanding environments. She plans to major in Architecture while continuing to pursue her athletic interests. Isabella's journey is proof that living with CF does not define what is possible.

Ben Ferguson attends Taylor University and is majoring in Finance. Originally from Columbus, Indiana, Ben comes from a large family with four brothers and one sister. While he is the only member of his family living with cystic fibrosis, he has never allowed the disease to limit his ambitions. Ben is focused on building a successful future while managing the daily challenges that come with CF.

These four young adults represent the strength, perseverance, and optimism that define so many people in the cystic fibrosis community. Their stories remind us that while CF can create obstacles, it does not determine a person's potential.

Join us on this week's podcast as Serena, Jayla, Isabella, and Ben share their experiences living with cystic fibrosis, pursuing higher education, and what receiving a Bonnell Foundation scholarship means to them. Their stories are inspiring, their goals are ambitious, and their futures are bright.

This is exactly why The Bonnell Foundation continues its scholarship program year after year: to invest in dreams, support determination, and help the next generation of leaders living with cystic fibrosis reach their full potential.

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