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Gregory Gile Memorial Scholarship
Travis Lee Stepon Named as Recipient
of
GREGORY GILE SCHOLARSHIP
for 2004-2005
Carlee
Christophersen
Receives Special Recognition and Award
 Without
reservation, the scholarship committee at the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho selected
Travis Stepon to receive this year’s Gregory Gile Scholarship. Travis,
a June 2004 graduate of Emmett High School, is applying the $1,500 award towards
his studies at Boise State University.
When one reads Travis’
application essay and the letters of recommendation, it is immediately understood
how the committee made its choice. His academic achievements include a 3.0 GPA
and several academic excellence awards all while participating in a number of
varsity sports. In addition, he served on a variety of committees and was active
in numerous extracurricular activities. And all of this was accomplished while
struggling with recurring seizures and side effects of medications.
 In
his own words, Travis described his most recent history with epilepsy which
included a “major motor seizure on December 2, 2003”, the first
of this type of seizure he had ever had. “This is when the adventure turned
from an annoyance to a very scary ordeal.” Travis began the long journey
through a new seizure type diagnosis, medication changes, side effects, terrifying
early morning seizures, and other medical problems. But this did not keep him
down. In addition to maintaining high academic marks and participating in a
broad range of extracurricular activities, Travis continued with his passion,
wrestling. He won matches, attended state tournaments, won awards one after
the other, and was named captain of his team. Travis was also co-captain of
the track team, and placed first in a number of track events. He said, “Life
is sometimes a tough race, but I’ll keep winning and leading the way.”
Letters of recommendation
cited Travis for his honesty, for having a strong work ethic, for being a tireless
worker and an inspiration to other students, especially fellow athletes. He
has lived up to high academic and athletic standards. With all of his accomplishments
in the face of overwhelming obstacles, Travis has kept everything in perspective.
As one teacher put it, “He truly is a gift here at Emmett High School.
He will bring honor to any educational institution.”
Travis is using his scholarship
to study history and secondary education at BSU. As teacher, Cheryl (Farabaugh)
Hutchinson, said, “With Travis’s competitiveness, intelligence,
motivation, and charismatic personality, I know he will succeed.” And
so do all of us at the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho.
Carlee
Christophersen
As
they review candidates for the Gregory Gile Scholarship, committee members sometimes
find that a student other than the one chosen for the scholarship demonstrates
such outstanding qualities, that he or she deserves recognition. This was the
case this year as members read the application of Carlee Jo Christophersen of
Malad. Carlee spent years battling not only seizures and medication side effects,
but also learning difficulties associated with her epilepsy. She struggled with
reading and writing skills and found it difficult to interact with her peers.
She became known as “the girl with the problem.” At one point, doctors
even told Carlee’s family that she would have to live with them all of
her life.
None of this is true today.
Showing remarkable spirit, Carlee learned to read, and her writing improved.
She was active in choir, and joined a rodeo team excelling in statewide competitions,
including barrel racing and pole bending. She graduated from Malad High School
in June 2004, and she says, “There is a bright side to this story. I have
grown stronger as a person with the challenges I have faced. I know, no matter
what, a person always needs to try to achieve. Epilepsy really isn’t the
end of the world; it is just more work.” The work paid off. Carlee will
use the special recognition fund of $500 to attend a school of hair styling in the future. Good luck, Carlee.
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QUESTIONS - PLEASE CONTACT:
Epilepsy
Foundation of Idaho
310 West Idaho
Boise, Idaho
83702
(208)344-4340
epilepsyidaho.org
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