Ornella Makolo

Dear Shred Cancer Association, Thank you so much for awarding me this scholarship. I can’t begin to express how much this means to me; not just financially, but emotionally. Your support comes at a time when I’ve been navigating so much, and receiving this was a reminder that I’m not alone. It feels like a little light in the middle of everything. This scholarship is helping me pursue my graduate education and continue pushing toward my goals, and I’m incredibly grateful to be chosen as a recipient. Thank you for believing in me and for all the work you do to uplift others who’ve been impacted by cancer. With all my heart, Ornella Makolo

Aliyah Harris

This scholarship touches a part of me that still hurts. Cancer didn’t just affect my family it changed us forever. The stress, the pain, the financial weight… it’s something you never forget. Being chosen for this feels like someone out there sees that struggle and wants to help me keep going for my career for cancer research and becoming an radiation therapist and the purpose i feel god truly wants me to take!!! I’m truly overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you for believing in me when I needed it most this means more than you’ll ever know.

Sadie Hughes

Gratitude. Connection. Empathy. I felt these emotions waking up to an email announcing the winners of this year's Sharra Rainbolt Memorial Scholarship through the Shred Cancer Association. I am honored to be among the scholars carrying on the legacy of Sharra, a young mother—a victim of cancer's thievery. Thinking of Sharra's children, I cried for them. I understand the deep chasm loss leaves behind. Sharra was so young, so beautiful. I sense her vibrancy from her pictures and the tributes others make in her memory. Like Sharra, I have three children myself, two boys and a girl. I will think of Sharra along my journey. I wish she had the same opportunity in her life that the scholarship so generously offers me today. To Sharra's family, thank you for sharing your mother through this memorial scholarship. To the Shred Cancer Association, thank you for this opportunity. I will bring Sharra's memory with me as I begin law school. I am thankful to play a part in her story. Thank you for believing in my story.

Anthony Bufanio

Dear Sharra Rainbolt Memorial Scholarship Committee, I am incredibly grateful and honored to be chosen as a recipient of the Sharra Rainbolt Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship not only provides vital financial support for my studies at Georgetown University but also inspires me deeply as I pursue my passion for pharmacology. Coming from a family that has faced health challenges, including my father’s battle with cancer, this scholarship holds special meaning for me. It strengthens my commitment to advancing research and making a real difference in the field of medicine. Thank you for believing in me and investing in my future. Your generosity encourages me to keep pushing forward and to give back to others in the same way one day. With Sincere Gratitude, Anthony Bufanio

Ashley Hyden

Dear Shred Cancer Association, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for selecting me as the recipient of the Sharra Rainbolt Memorial Scholarship. Learning that I was chosen truly touched me, and I feel incredibly honored to be recognized in this way. Being personally impacted by cancer has brought not only emotional hardship but significant financial challenges for my family, especially as I juggle being a single parent to a special needs child, working full time, and caring for my mother as she faces dementia. Receiving this scholarship lifts a tremendous weight off my shoulders and allows me to focus more fully on my social work studies, which I am deeply passionate about. I'm honored to carry on Sharra Rainbolt’s legacy through this scholarship. My own experiences have shaped my determination to become a social worker and to advocate for families dealing with adversity, particularly those facing developmental disabilities and mental health issues. Your mission to support students like me—who know the impact cancer can have on families—means so much. Your generosity and commitment to easing these burdens inspire me to continue forward with hope, and I am determined to give back to others in my future career. Thank you for believing in me and for making it possible for me to pursue my educational and professional goals. Thank you, Ashley Hyden

Nicole Norton

Dear Shred Cancer Association, I'm incredibly grateful and honored to receive the Sharra Rainbolt Memorial Scholarship. As someone whose family has faced the profound challenges brought on by cancer, this recognition carries deep personal meaning for me. I'm honored to carry on Sharra Rainbolt's legacy through this scholarship. The financial relief that comes with this award eases the weight on my family, allowing me to continue my graduate education in educational technology and pedagogy. Juggling the responsibilities of being a dedicated high school science teacher, a graduate student, and a mother of three—one in college and two involved in travel sports—can be daunting, especially without tuition reimbursement from my district. Your support ensures I can pursue my professional development and bring innovative teaching strategies back to my students. My passion lies in equipping young people with a robust, relevant science education. Thanks to your generosity, I’m able to deepen my expertise and help my students thrive in a changing world. Knowing your mission is to support families impacted by cancer means a lot to me; your commitment not only empowers students like myself, but also uplifts entire communities. I sincerely appreciate your kindness and the difference you’re making in my life. I hope to honor Sharra Rainbolt’s memory by inspiring my students and giving back to others in the future. Thank you, Nicole Norton

Esperance Bukenya

Dear Shred Cancer Association, I want to sincerely thank you for awarding me the Sharra Rainbolt Memorial Scholarship. Being selected for this honor fills me with gratitude and pride, especially given the profound challenges my auntie and I have faced due to cancer. I'm so appreciative of your mission to support students like me who have been personally touched by this illness, and I’m glad to have learned about Sharra Rainbolt through this scholarship. Your generous support will ease the financial strain of my education, making it possible for me to focus on my studies and continue working toward my dream of becoming a physician-scientist. I aspire to provide the highest standard of patient care in the hospital and to contribute to research that can unravel the complexities of brain diseases and cancer. This scholarship not only brings me closer to these goals but also inspires me to give back to others who are battling similar challenges. Knowing that your organization is dedicated to helping students affected by cancer motivates me to honor your trust by working hard and, one day, uplifting others in need. Thank you for your kindness and for investing in my future. Thank you, Esperance Bukenya