Franklin Lakes Teen Awarded Scholarship From NJCTS

On Friday June 2nd, in honor of Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day, NJCTS presented ten scholarship awards to graduating New Jersey seniors. One of the second-place recipients was Frankie Coffaro, 18, of Franklin Lakes.

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.

Frankie was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome during his sophomore year of high school. However, he did not let this diagnosis get in the way of succeeding both academically and socially. Frankie was a part of the interact club, winter track and the Ramapo Relax Club. He also volunteered at numerous places, including as a Reader at the Oakland Board of Education, and doing a Service Project at Most Blessed Sacrament Church.

“As I approach the final year of my high school experience, I truly have embraced internally how my foundation years affected me,” Frankie writes in his scholarship essay. “I view my diagnoses of having Tourette’s Syndrome as a gift.” Frankie is a graduate of Ramapo High School and will be attending Moravian 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.”

Frankie’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.