• Current Scholars
• Alumni
• Dream Big
• Scholar Travels
• Scholar Art & Music
• Scholar Stories
• The Scholar Experience

Stephanie Kovacs

Biography

Stephanie Kovacs was seven when her sister died at age 10 of a brain tumor. She and an older brother suffer from spinal muscular atrophy. But tragedy has not stopped Stephanie or her brother from persevering. Canadian doctors said her brother had only a few years to live; he now is 25. Stephanie, meanwhile, may need the help of an aide for daily bathing and dressing, but she has set ambitious goals for herself. She usually exceeds them.

In the 9th grade, Stephanie saw her world change when her father transferred to a job in Pensacola, FL., leading to her "complete immersion into the American philosophy that anyone can reach for the stars and become whatever he or she wants to be."

She began to seize opportunities, including a dual enrollment program that let her skip 12^th grade to begin college early. Then 16, she faced down apprehension about navigating a large campus in her wheelchair and tackling college courses, concluding, "success never comes without risk." She flourished. She delved into professional training and research activities; took an executive position with the board of the Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida; accepted a governor-appointed seat on the board of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council; and graduated summa cum laude last December, at 19.

Stephanie credits her parents with showing her that "persistence and faith in the ultimate dream are two of the most powerful keys to success .. I am beating the odds one day at a time."

Stephanie aims to become a clinical psychologist, working with children suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses as well as helping their families "discover a sense of hope despite the struggles of disease."

Other Scholars Like Stephanie