Evan Khanna

To whom it may concern, Thank you so much for the award for helping fund my future education! I am most grateful for the Jessica's Journey Brain Tumor Survivor Scholarship, as I can attend a university that will most benefit my ambitious endeavors! Years ago, I had a condition called craniopharyngioma, where I actually couldn’t grow and produce certain bodily hormones needed due to a tumor found on my pituitary gland. I had a brain surgery that removed the tumor, but also my pituitary gland. Because of that, I now have to get all of these missing hormones and functions artificially by taking 9 shots per week and a bunch of different pills throughout the day just to keep me alive and well. But my tumor really motivated me to still push through it and not let it stop me from reaching my goals. One of them that I am on my way to accomplish is to run my own company! I started it in seventh grade and have been growing it day by day ever since. My business, Dareshift LLC., is a marketplace for video games with a special focus on helping disabled individuals find games that meet their needs and conditions. I created Dareshift so that people that may also be going through something affecting their ability to enjoy gaming can find games that support their needs as an individual. One of my greatest aspirations for college is to really grow this company so that people all around the world will be able to have access to publish and buy these games on Dareshift to ultimately create awareness for supporting different disabilities and conditions within games. Going to university will help me with this due to the many resources I have found that support student startups such as the Gilman Center for Entrepreneurship at James Madison University (JMU) and this scholarship will help me get access to these resources by helping to fund my college education. At JMU, I hope to major in computer science to not only expand my current knowledge on programming to build upon my business, but also to gain access to professors and other students to collaborate on projects and even create partnerships with others who are interested in game development, technology, and/or business. I also plan on minoring in entrepreneurship to participate in classes such as New Venture Creation to fine-tune my knowledge on the ins and outs of starting a business. Because when I started Dareshift, I went right into development and marketing of the business and didn’t do much of the legal nor official setup of the business besides registering for an LLC. Since the entrepreneurship minor is in the JMU College of Business, I can also use many of the resources specific to those within the business school that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to have access to. This scholarship is exactly what I need to help me attend JMU with the opportunity to support Dareshift for its mission in terms of the technical and entrepreneurial side. With all this, I plan on diving into the technology world head first right after college. As my interests within computer science lean toward the game development concentration, my goal is to work at a game development studio, my two favorites being Ubisoft (creators of many top AAA titles such as the Assassin’s Creed series and the arena game For Honor) as well as Valve Corporation (because of their very laid back and flexible work environment as well as getting the chance to expand on their top titles including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Portal 2). After a couple of years in the game development industry, I hope to grow Dareshift on the side and if revenue reaches over $200,000, then I would go full time on my company. But if it stays below this or even if it does reach that revenue amount and I enjoy my current work if it is at a game studio, I would even try to pitch or sell Dareshift to one of these companies as my end goal. I thank you again for this scholarship as I will ensure that when it is put towards my college education, I will make the most of the journey to have fun, network, and engage in continuous learning to reach my career goals and grow Dareshift so that all, no matter their condition or disability, won’t be held back from having fun and enjoying the world of gaming. Sincerely, Evan A. Khanna

Kelly Adams

Dear Jessica, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for being chosen as a recipient of the Jessica's Journey Brain Tumor Survivor Scholarship. It truly means so much to me to be recognized by someone who understands firsthand the challenges faced by survivors like us. Your support not only eases the financial burden of attending Johns Hopkins University but also renews my excitement to fully immerse myself in my studies and future medical career. This scholarship allows me to focus more deeply on my neuroscience coursework and continue pursuing my dream of working in the operating room one day. My passion for neuroscience began with my own medical journey, from childhood MRIs to shadowing my neurosurgeon, and every moment since has strengthened my resolve to help others facing similar battles. I’m honored to carry on Jessica’s legacy through this scholarship. Your generosity and commitment to uplifting survivors inspire me to give back in the same way. Knowing that someone who has walked this path is supporting my ambitions motivates me to work even harder and to someday offer the same encouragement and guidance to future generations. Thank you for believing in me and for your incredible kindness. I look forward to making the most of this opportunity and hope to pay your generosity forward throughout my career and life. Thank you, Kelly Adams

Laney Malone

It means everything that I get to experience my education when I never thought I would have been able to