West Orange Teen Awarded Third Place Scholarship From NJCTS

On Friday June 6th, in honor of Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day, NJCTS presented the four top scholarship awards to graduating New Jersey seniors. The third-place recipient was Sarah Freeman, of West Orange.

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 are frequently accompanied by mental health conditions including ADHD, OCD, and anxiety.

Sarah, a graduate of Morristown Beard School, has been a passionate advocate for the TS community. As a youth advocate and member of the NJCTS Youth Council, she has worked to raise awareness and support others with the condition. She is the founder of classicscorner.org, a site dedicated to sharing her love of classical studies. Sarah is also a dedicated dancer, performing with the Class Act Performing Arts Studio Dance Company and serving as an assistant teacher. She is a member of the Latin National Honor Society and participates in many other academic and extracurricular pursuits.

“I want to show other people that you can do anything you put your mind to,” Sarah wrote. “That TS is not a barrier that keeps you from doing great things.”

Sarah will attend the University of Pennsylvania 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 incredibly proud of these outstanding young men and women and all they’ve achieved throughout their high school journeys,” said Hilary Kruchowy, Executive Director of NJCTS. “Their accomplishments are a powerful reminder that Tourette Syndrome does not define them—and will never limit their potential. We’re excited to see how they continue to inspire and excel in college and beyond.”

Sarah’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.