River Edge Teen Awarded Top Scholarship From NJCTS

On Friday June 4, in honor of Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day, NJCTS presented ten scholarship awards to graduating New Jersey seniors. One of the first-place recipients was Caitlin Fritz, 18, of River Edge.

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurobiological disorder characterized by uncontrollable movements and sounds known as tics. As many as 1 in 50 people show signs of TS or other tic disorders which is frequently accompanied by mental health disorders including ADHD, OCD, and anxiety.

Caitlin started showing the signs and symptoms of TS when she was seven years old but was not officially diagnosed until the beginning of her senior year of high school. Over the years, her TS symptoms and diagnosis did not stop her from flourishing both academically and socially. In school Caitlin was an honor roll student, a member of the student council, a Blue Eagle Ambassador, a team leader of the NJ Science Olympiad Competition and was on the Track and Field team. Outside of school, Caitlin enjoyed volunteering at Holy Name Medical Center and holds a job at a Uniform store.

“It was difficult at first and I was tempted to allow this diagnosis to define who I am. But it is not who I am,” Caitlin states in her scholarship essay. “I have never allowed my struggles to prevent me from reaching my full potential.” Caitlin is a graduate of Immaculate Heart Academy and will be attending Case Western Reserve University in the fall.

Academic achievement, community involvement and accomplishments all play a part in the NJCTS Scholarship Committee’s decision in selecting winning candidates each year.

“We are so proud of these young men and women for all they have accomplished during their high school careers,” said Patricia Phillips, Executive Director of NJCTS. “We cannot wait to see what they will do in college and beyond, as they continue to prove that Tourette Syndrome does not have to hold you back.”

Caitlin’s scholarship winning essay can be found at www.njcts.org/teens4ts.

NJCTS, the nation’s first Center of Excellence for Tourette Syndrome, is a not-for-profit organization committed to the advocacy of children and families with Tourette Syndrome and its associated disorders. Dedicated to delivering high quality services to these individuals, the Center recognizes the importance of educating the public, medical professionals, and teachers about this disorder through programs and affiliations with public schools, health centers, and universities. To learn more about Tourette Syndrome and the programs available from NJCTS, visit www.njcts.org.