The family of Amelia Josefina Gray established a scholarship in an effort to keep her dream of attending the University of North Dakota and one day becoming a doctor alive. For those of you who are not familiar with the story behind Amelia and her scholarship, she was a Red River High School student who had a love of school, friends and teachers with dreams of higher education.
But it was during her junior year at Red River that Amelia was diagnosed with liver cancer. Her doctors had given Amelia less than a one percent chance to live a week, at that moment everything in her life have changed. Between the different surgeries, chemotherapies, and radiation treatments, Amelia still found the strength to attend school as much as possible. Her dream of being a doctor was even more important now. Amelia always had a smile on her face and was always concerned more on how you were doing rather than herself, along with the beautiful smile and attitude, she would always end a conversation with you by saying “have a good day”.
Amelia went on to graduate with her “Class of 2012”, she had to face an uphill battle to get to this point where she was able to lose her walker and go across stage to shake everybody’s hand and receive her diploma. Now Amelia wanted to go after her dream of becoming a doctor at U.N.D. Amelia’s courage battle for life went on till October 24, 2012. She passed away, but not before touching the hearts and souls of people from around the world.
In honoring Amelia and her dream of higher education at UND and her deep desire to become a doctor, the family of Amelia had established "The Amelia Josefina Gray Humanitarian Scholarship" to help keep her dream alive of higher education by awarding one Red River student each year with Amelia’s scholarship. We hope you will consider giving a gift to this scholarship in Amelia's memory. For more information on how you can help, please contact Executive Director, Emilia Hodgson, at (701) 787-4866 or ehodgson290@mygfschools.org.The family of Ali Borgen has established a scholarship with the Grand Forks Foundation for Education for students participating in Grand Cities Children’s Choir. This annual scholarship will cover the expense for participating for a student who may not of otherwise been able to afford it. A secondary consideration will be if the student has been directly affected by a cancer diagnosis or has other special needs.
Ali was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007. Not to be stopped by the pains of her cancer, Ali was determined to continue with the life that she had enjoyed before her diagnosis. She played basketball and volleyball, played the clarinet and sang in the Grand Cities Children’s Choir, resumed friendships and the cherished routines with her family.
Ali’s former music teacher and Grand Cities Children’s Choir Director Melanie Popejoy remembers her, "Ali loved music, all of the therapy that comes with it. She always seemed the most peaceful and the most hopeful, when she was making music. I think it helped her transcend all of the ill feelings and sad emotions that would try to cloud her soul. But, with a song, it would all seem to disappear. Ali taught us a lot about being 'inclusive.' She wanted to be treated like a normal kid, and wanted all kids, regardless of their illness, handicap, or any other differences to feel like a normal kid who was loved and accepted by everyone. Her smile could make an immediate friend, touch your heart, and give you hope. I am sure that many times we thought we were trying to help Ali, when actually she was helping us be better people.”
We hope you will consider giving a gift to the Ali Borgen Smile Wide Scholarship. For more information on how you can help, please contact Executive Director, Emilia Hodgson, at (701) 787-4866 or ehodgson290@mygfschools.org.Save