2024 Scholarship Winner

Dylan Provenzano is a Dean's List Student-Athlete at Carthage College, majoring in Allied Health with long-term goals of Graduate School for Physical Therapy, focusing on Pediatric Oncology. He serves on the Patient Advisory Board at Lurie Children's Hospital, attending monthly meetings to share the point of view of a teenager with cancer.  He was chosen to travel to Europe as a pediatric cancer ambassador at a Global Health Summit in Lyon, France.  In his own words: I was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma at the age of 12 in 2017 and underwent nine months of some of the most toxic but life-saving chemotherapy on top of surgery to remove the majority of my left fibula. Unfortunately, I relapsed to my lungs in July 2020 and underwent another year of chemotherapy, 5 days a week for 13 months, also enduring two lung surgeries and completing full lung radiation.  Playing sports was never a choice; it has always been and will be a lifestyle. It is the thing that allowed me to get where I am now. My family and friends did not allow me to give up or stop trying, even when the doctors warned us that there was a strong chance I would not be able to walk properly again without assistance. I dedicate my time away from the baseball field to be a public speaker for many pediatric cancer nonprofits. I am so grateful for this scholarship opportunity to continue the circle of giving back to the youth who, unfortunately, will have to go through the same thing I did.  It takes reassurance and an abundance of nonstop support to remind an athlete during their cancer battle that they “can do hard things.”  The mind of an athlete is their biggest tool and their worst enemy.  Our job as survivors is to remind them that things may change, but it doesn’t mean they need to stop; instead, flip the narrative. Learn your new body, know your limits, test your limits, push yourself until you get where you want to be, and then keep pushing past it.  I, myself, am a 2-time cancer fighter and now a college athlete, and I will be the first to let anyone know that there is no stopping me.

Mya Emperatriz Rodriguez Joaquin is a dancer, actress, and artist from West New York, NJ - She will be attending New York University’s Tisch School of Arts and Steindhart School of Culture, Education, & Human Development studying Media, Culture, Communications & Drama. Mya was diagnosed with Stage 2A Bulk Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 17, undergoing numerous surgeries and chemotherapies that resulted in the absence of her high school graduation and first year at NYU. Mya is the founder of her own non-profit “The Brave Place” - The Brave Place is a pre-professional developmental company for young actors who are seeking to be professionals in the performing arts field. A passionate and inclusive environment can influence growth in many through an overall emotional outlet that drives young people to pursue their dreams. Mya’s definition of the “Actor” includes the importance of physical, social, and political impact through their work. At The Brave Place, community service time will be a requirement in efforts to strengthen the community and dedicate time to enlighten others through song and dance (& love!). A person’s awareness only enhances through experience and learning how to be in another’s shoes - therefore reinforcing the company’s statement on how powerful the human imagination is.  https://www.myaerodriguez.com/

Francesca Olguin is originally from Phoenix, Arizona, and will be attending medical school at Stanford University to pursue her dream of becoming a Pediatric Oncologist. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Thyroid Cancer when she was 15 years old, but despite her decade-long battle with the disease, Francesca has always been passionate about running and team sports. She fell in love with trail running on Arizona’s endless desert trails and channeled that passion in her high school track and cross-country career. During college, Francesca was also a member of the Stanford’s Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team and won a National Championship in 2016. She is grateful to her teammates for supporting her on and off the field throughout her treatment and recovery. While her cancer battle has been challenging, it has inspired her to pursue a career in medicine and to develop better cancer therapies. She has researched cancer prevention techniques, new treatment combinations, and novel cancer vaccines. She is very excited to continue her research in medical school and learn how she can change the future of cancer care for patients! 

Madelyn Wilson is from Apex, North Carolina and will be attending Wofford College in the fall to pursue a degree in Psychology. Madelyn has had a passion for athletics, especially volleyball, from a very young age. Despite being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma twice between age 15-18, even after undergoing a life threatening Stem Cell Transplant in 2019, Madelyn never let her cancer battle stop her from achieving her goals. She will be living her life dream of playing D1 volleyball for Wofford in the Fall. Madelyn hopes to apply what she has been through to encourage other children going through life threatening illnesses to thrive and achieve their goals regardless of the difficult circumstances they are facing. 

 Audrey Maggart is from St. Joseph, Missouri and will be attending Mississippi College in the fall to pursue a degree in Nursing. Audrey has a passion for athletics and has been involved in cross country, basketball, and track despite her diagnosis of retinoblastoma as a young child. Though she had to have one of her eyes removed and wear a prosthetic in its place, Audrey has never let her visual impairment or battle with cancer prohibit her from pursuing what she loves most. Her hope is that through her story she is able to bless and encourage individuals going through similar challenges to achieve their goals and reach their fullest potential.  

The Paul Bernot Memorial Foundation is thrilled to announce Abigail Blauvelt as the 2019 college scholarship winner. Abbie is currently at Boston College and is majoring in Biology.  She shared with us that in spite of her Leukemia diagnosis, she continued to compete in gymnastics, wearing a mask to practice and with her chemo port accessed. Her doctors credited her minimal side effects to her continued participation in sports and her drive to stay active. We are thrilled with all she has been able to accomplish thus far, and are so glad to be able to assist her in her journey in Paul's memory.  Good luck at BC this year, Abbie!!  

Please join us in congratulating Austin Dorman, the 2018 Winner of the Paul Bernot Memorial Foundation Scholarship.  Austin remained active in his sports, soccer and swimming, despite his diagnosis of a rare lung tumor.  Austin persisted and started school at Shippensburg University where he is dual-majoring in Early Childhood Studies and Special Education.