Lillian Carney is from Lower Dauphin High School and was nominated by Nathan Espenshade.
Lillian applied herself for this scholarship, so her story will be shared as she wrote it, in the first person.
Once I returned to the classroom after a Traumatic Brain Injury left me having to learn how to do everythingover again, life really began to pile up. I was the primary caretaker of my twin brother who suffered from mental illness as well as my younger twin brothers whowere also struggling. With my focus being on my family I lost a great amount of friends. Other peers heard rumors about my parents’ struggles and projected them onto my brothers and I, steering clear of anyone with the Carney name. Unfortunately, on February 6th, 2020 my twin brother passed away causing me to question where my life was headed.
Rather than giving in to the negativity and the excuses to quit I chose to live by the phrase, “lead by example.” Today, after learning how to write again, I am writing this essay. Today, after being told people did not think I was going to graduate high school, I am writing a college essay. Today, after being told I was never enough, I was invited to apply for your scholarship. Today, after being told no one thought I was going to make it through the pain, I did. I hope that someday my younger brothers are able to see how I was able to create a new narrative for myself and begin to write their own. I also hope to share my story with others someday to show them that I am living proof that you can write your own story.
Lillian will be attending Albright College on the Warren L. Davis Scholarship to further her academic and basketball career. She will be in their 4+1 education program while majoring in Secondary Education and co majoring in psychology.
Mr. Espenshade says, "Lily has overcome more obstacles than any other student I have ever worked with in my 20 years in pubic education. She is an inspiration and has earned the respect of her peers, and members of our community."
Congratulations and good luck in all you do, Lily!