WILS Awards $500 Scholarship to High School Senior
West-Central Independent Living Solutions congratulates Windsor High School graduate, Eli Taulman of Windsor, on receiving the $500 WILS Empowerment Scholarship.
This scholarship is open to any high school senior in Johnson, Lafayette, Henry, Benton, Pettis, or Saline Counties with a disability that wishes to continue their education at a four-year college, associates program, community college, or vocational technology program. The recipient was chosen by a panel based on an essay application.
Recipient Taulman says, “I am so honored to be chosen for this scholarship. As a person who stutters, I am excited to be able to advocate for others. This is a journey of self-improvement, not of being dependent on others for help.”
Last summer, Taulman attended Missouri Boys State and lived in a residence hall for a week. He currently attends the University of Central Missouri and lives on campus. WILS collaborates with local high schools to offer independent living courses for students with disabilities to prepare them for transitions to secondary education, the work force, and living on their own.
“Eli’s essay conveyed the importance of self-determination and motivation needed to manage one’s own life. We are honored to make this investment, excited for what the future holds for Eli, and offer our sincere and very best wishes as Eli starts this new life chapter of empowered independence,” says Kathy Wyatt, WILS Senior Executive Assistant.
As a Center for Independent Living (CIL), WILS strives to remove barriers and prejudices and empowers persons with disabilities to live independently. They are a consumer driven, non-residential, 501(c)3 nonprofit resource center that serves people with disabilities and their families. For more information, please visit w-ils.org or contact info@w-ils.org.