Norton "Adapt and Overcome" Scholarship Fund

The Norton "Adapt and Overcome" scholarship was started after Phil and Braiden Norton recognized a need for a scholarship that targets graduating high school seniors pursuing further education who have faced a unique circumstance which made simply showing up to school a challenge all in itself. Braiden Norton was one of these students and the inspiration behind this scholarship as he faced daily challenge to simply attend school due to a brain tumor as well as a rare paralysis medical condition. As his father, Phil Norton saw first-hand the physical and mental struggle Braiden had to navigate nearly every morning. The effort he set forth to stay positive and successfully graduate from high school is truly inspiring. Braiden is now a Freshman Cadet at Massachusetts Maritime Academy studying International Maritime Business Bachelor Degree Program. Phil Norton remembers being taught the phrase "Adapt and Overcome" upon entering the US Navy although the true meaning of this phrase didn't latch on until Braiden's brain tumor diagnosis at just one year old. From the time Braiden was able to comprehend this phrase, it has been their mantra while navigating intense medical circumstances they had to face.