The Mary J. Szczepanski Never Give Up MS Scholarship Foundation is starting its 25th 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 34 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.