Scholarship Recipients

My name is Hannah Fruhwirth and I am beyond honored to be the 2021 recipient of the Stephen Chandler Ericson Memorial scholarship. The history of this foundation is rooted in love, kindness and compassion. During my time at Henderson, I was a devoted and hardworking swimmer. It paints a smile on my face to be recognized with fellow Henderson swimming alumni that I looked up to over the years. It is a true honor to be recognized with the same traits and spirit as Stephen. The kindness demonstrated within this memorial will never be forgotten, since it will continue to leave a lasting imprint on me, and others around me.

As I attend the University of South Carolina in the fall, I will carry an extra dose of kindness around with me for whoever may need it. Kindness is immensely contagious, and I hope to spread it with me wherever life takes me. Thank you again for honoring me with such a meaningful, and kind scholarship.

My name is Katie Simpson, and I am very excited to be named the recipient of the 2022 Stephen Chandler Ericson Memorial Scholarship. As I began to research more into the foundation and Stephen as a person, I can appreciate his zest for life and his important life lessons. The Ericson family has created an enduring legacy in Stephen’s name. Their faith and dedication to Stephen’s memory allow his message to continue to impact students such as myself.

I saw multiple names of past recipients that I was fortunate enough to have swum with during my years on the Henderson swim team. I looked up to these individuals for their leadership, dedication, and kindness they showed every member of the swimming community. I am so honored to be recognized for displaying similar attributes to the previous recipients and Stephen.

TAs I begin my journey into college in the fall, this foundation and scholarship will serve as a reminder to always promote kindness. I will remember this as I meet my new collegiate teammates, friends, professors, and all that I will encounter at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

As a future teacher, the motto ‘one life makes a difference’ really resonated with me. I hope to be able to use this motto as motivation to give my students every tool possible so that each one can make their own difference in this world. Thank you so much for awarding me such a meaningful and powerful scholarship. One life truly does make a difference!”

My name is Shannon Gamble, and I am extremely honored to have been the recipient of this year’s Stephen Chandler Ericson Foundation Scholarship. I have grown up my whole life in West Chester just up the street from Henderson High School. During graduation I never would have expected to have received a scholarship, and little did I know the magnitude of the one I had been awarded.

I’ve been swimming for 14 years and have spent every summer at Roslyn Swim Club. Every year at the swim team banquet I would hear the story about Roslyn swimmer Stephen Ericson as the Stephen Chandler Ericson award was presented to a swimmer who embodied his charisma, free spirit, humor, and enthusiasm. I immediately recognized the scholarship name when I heard it at graduation. After reading Stephen’s story and from what I already knew from my years growing up at Roslyn, I was thrilled and humbled to have been selected as someone who is seen to carry on Stephen’s legacy.

In the fall I will be attending West Chester University to continue my career in swimming as well as studying Nursing. In my senior year of high school, I participated in the Allied Health program and was placed at Paoli Hospital. Before beginning the program, I already had an idea of what I wanted to do for my career and that was medicine. I’ve always been fascinated by the medical world and all its aspects, and this program allowed me an inside look at what I would experience in a hospital and classroom studying in this field; I thrived. With this, the motto “One life makes a difference” really resonates with me as a future nurse. I chose the nursing path over a physician because I really think the patient-caregiver relationship is crucial, a kind presence is sometimes all it takes to give someone hope and comfort while healing. I am very grateful to be receiving the Stephen Chandler Ericson Scholarship as I go on to pursue my dreams. In my athletics, college studies, and future career as a nurse, I intend to carry on Stephen’s legacy by making a difference in people’s lives and will strive to be an example of what this scholarship stands for.

When I received this award during graduation, I was in shock. I wasn’t expecting to receive any scholarships at graduation, since I’d already received those, I applied for in the prior months – I thought it was a mistake! Then I researched and spoke with the Ericson Family and started to learn why I was selected, and I couldn’t be more grateful. First, I’d like to thank the teachers who nominated me for this award; without you all, this would not be possible.

Because I will be attending the Georgia Institute of Technology next year to study Aerospace Engineering, my tuition is going to be very expensive, especially being an out-of-state student. The 2024 Stephen Chandler Ericson Scholarship will help me pay for my tuition and complete my studies in Pollution to help better our planet. I am extremely grateful to the Stephen Chandler Ericson Foundation, their sponsors, and especially, Mrs. Laura Ericson, for giving me this scholarship, and, explaining the story of her son, Stephen Chandler Ericson. He was, and is, an inspiration to so many with his amazing heart, and his vibrant and friendly personality.

Stephen’s story has inspired me to persevere in my studies and continue my passion for the things I enjoy like swimming and music. It made me realize that you should never take things for granted and always cherish the opportunities that you have. I promise to use this money to better our world and make it so that more people have the chance to follow their dreams and pursue their passions. Thank you once again to everyone who made it possible for me to receive this award today.

When I found out I was awarded the Stephen Chandler Ericson Scholarship, I was very surprised because I had not applied for it. But, as it turned out, teachers at my school had nominated me for this award, which I am very thankful for. When I started to learn more about Stephen, I realized that I had heard Stephen’s story many times at Roslyn Swim Club, during championships. After, I was able to get in contact with the Ericson family, whom I owe many thanks. Stephen’s story is an example of how fast life can change. It helps us realize that we need to cherish every moment we have. With this scholarship I’ll be able to further my academic and athletic life at Bucknell University. With this scholarship, the financial load will be greatly lessened. Thank you to all who have made this possible.

I am incredibly honored to be the 47th recipient of the Stephen Chandler Ericson Memorial Scholarship. I cannot even begin to describe how much it means to not only be considered for such a valuable award but also to be deemed worthy of association with Stephen’s remarkable character and legacy in such a way.

Next year, I plan to study biochemistry at the University of Vermont in the Patrick Leahy Honors College. This scholarship gets me closer to realizing my dream of pursuing a career in surgery, and I am so incredibly grateful to the Ericson family for not only easing the financial burden of my post secondary education but also for bestowing such an honorable award upon me. I intend to use the Stephen Chandler Ericson Memorial Scholarship to make the world a better place, honoring Stephen’s legacy by working to demonstrate and further spread the values seen in his character through being the change that I want to see, serving my community, and ultimately administering medical care to those in need.

Thank you so much to Mrs. Laura Ericson and the late Mr. Joseph Ericson, Jr., for the incredible philanthropic work that they have done and for selecting me as a recipient of such an honorable award. It is so utterly remarkable that, as parents, the Ericsons were able to take such a tragedy and direct their energy towards the betterment of the world, continuing the celebration of Stephen’s life and character in creating the Stephen Chandler Ericson Foundation. I would also like to thank my parents for setting me up for such success in life through their own teachings and sacrifices.