Kellyann Navarre

Dear Skerl Family, I am incredibly honored and grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship. I extend my sincere thanks to the Skerl family and all generous donors. The last few years have been a period of learning, but also a period full of challenges and what felt like never-ending barriers and stigma. This scholarship means so much to me for several reasons. Firstly, it provides financial support, allowing me to focus more on my studies and less on the financial burden that comes with pursuing higher education. This assistance is crucial in helping me complete my education despite the obstacles I have faced. Secondly, receiving this scholarship is a significant source of encouragement. It reminds me that there are people and organizations who believe in my potential and are willing to invest in my future. This support inspires me to continue moving forward and striving for excellence, regardless of the difficulties I encounter. Additionally, this scholarship will help me achieve my goals as I pursue my clinical and research work in my education, where I focus on clinical psychological science and interdisciplinary disability studies. My work focuses on suicide, disability, and accessibility barriers, areas that are deeply personal and significant to me. I have lost friends who live with disabilities and chronic pain to suicide. The scholarship provides the resources I need to make meaningful contributions in these fields and to help others facing similar challenges. Because of this scholarship, I will continue making these contributions and the ripple effects will have a lasting impact on the community. I have since had interviews to both Harvard and Rutgers and several other institutions for research jobs to pursue this work for disabled people, and scholarships like this help me get there. Lastly, this scholarship represents a genuine commitment to supporting disabled students like me. Knowing that there are efforts to ensure educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their circumstances, fills me with hope and determination. Scholarships like this help contribute to educational access and help create futures. Thank you once again for this incredible honor and for your support. This scholarship helps me academically and financially, as well as empowers me to overcome challenges and pursue my goals. Sincerely, Kellyann

Andrew Ratayczak

I am so honored to have been chosen as a finalist for the Frank and Patty Skerl Educational Scholarship for the Physically Disabled. My journey with chronic illness and disability has transformed my view of the world and my plans for the future in ways I never would have envisioned growing up. Thank you so much to the Skerl family for considering my application and naming me as a runner-up. I commend the work you are doing to dismantle barriers to higher education and I appreciate your interest in my story.