WILS Awards $500 Scholarship to High School Senior

West-Central Independent Living Solutions congratulates Malta Bend High School Senior, Tate Malter of Marshall, on receiving the $500 WILS Empowerment Scholarship.

This scholarship is open to any high school senior in Johnson, Lafayette, Henry, Benton, Pettis, or Saline Counties with a disability that wishes to continue their education at a four-year college, associates program, community college, or vocational technology program.  The recipient was chosen by a panel based on an essay application.

Recipient Malter says, “I do not always read social cues well.  I struggle to stay organized.  My biggest difficulty in the classroom is due to my low muscle tone which also impacts my handwriting. I love showing cattle through FFA and 4-H.This helps me make money, but best of all gives me a job. I think this opportunity will help to obtain a career and maybe even come back to our family farm someday”

WILS collaborates with local high schools to offer independent living courses for students with disabilities to prepare them for transitions to secondary education, the work force, and living on their own.  Malter plans to attend State Fair Community College this fall and live on campus.

“Simply stated, Tate’s essay conveyed the importance of self-determination and motivation needed to manage one's own life. We are honored to make this investment, excited for what the future holds for Tate, and offer our sincere and very best wishes as Tate starts this new life chapter of empowered independence,” says WILS Director of Independent Living, Kathy Wyatt.

As a Center for Independent Living (CIL), WILS strives to remove barriers and prejudices and empowers persons with disabilities to live independently. They are  a consumer driven, non-residential, 501(c)3 nonprofit resource center that serves people with physical disabilities and their families.  For more information, please visit w-ils.org or contact info@w-ils.org.

The information in this article was supplied by Amy Jenkins, Marketing Director for West-Central Independent Living Solutions.