Ladson, SC Teenager Wins Fourth Place in National Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Essay Competition

Eryn Edwards chosen from thousands of students nationwide to receive $1,500 college scholarship from Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

NEW YORK (August 3, 2021)— The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) named Eryn Edwards, of Ladson, South Carolina, the fourth-place winner of its national 2021 Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest and awarded her a $1,500 college scholarship. Eryn was chosen from more than 2,000 entries nationwide for her essay about her father, who lives with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and how it has impacted their lives. 

“Eryn’s heartwarming essay about her father and his battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, their role changes, and the lessons she learned from those experiences will help raise Alzheimer’s awareness and provide strength and support to millions of other families who are dealing with the same challenges,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President and CEO.  “We congratulate Eryn on being chosen as a winner in this competition, thank her for sharing her story and are grateful for her efforts in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.”

Eryn’s essay focused on her father’s life with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, her relationship with him, and the many ways she’s changed to help him. “Although his moods influence me and my family, I have discovered that how we interact with him influences him to an even greater degree,” she wrote. “I’ve changed my tactics and ways of approaching him to be more positive and understanding even if I’m having a bad day or I am frustrated.”

“He, regardless of Alzheimer’s, is still my dad. On the days when he remembers who I am, I am hopeful that me spending time with him means something to him, and if nothing else spending time with him means something to me.”

The experience has taught Eryn many things—to be more patient, to see things from a different perspective, and to treasure her own memories. Alzheimer’s has also “challenged [her] to be understanding and compassionate in a way that only someone who has had to cope with something like Alzheimer’s can be.”

Eryn will be attending the Savannah College of Art and Design in the Fall.

AFA’s annual Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest asks high school seniors to describe how Alzheimer’s disease impacts their lives, what they have learned in the face of coping with it and how they plan to help others who are affected by it. This year, AFA awarded over $55,000 in college scholarships to 72 students from across the country.  Since the program’s inception, AFA has awarded more than $350,000 in college scholarships to students affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

For more information about AFA’s Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest, call AFA at 866-232-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org. 

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About Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA):

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a nonprofit organization whose mission is toprovide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide, and fund research for better treatment and a cure. Its services include a National Toll-Free Helpline (866-232-8484) staffed by licensed social workers, the National Memory Screening Program, educational conferences and materials, and “AFA Partners in Care” dementia care training for healthcare professionals. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, follow us on Twitter, or connect with us on Facebook,Instagram or LinkedIn.  AFA has earned Charity Navigator’s top 4-star rating for six consecutive years.