Sam Berns Scholarship

Rotary is an international charitable organization comprised of professional and business leaders whose goals are humanitarian service, high ethical standards and the promotion of goodwill and peace around the world.

The Rotary Club of Peabody awards Scholarships to seniors in high school who are residents of Peabody and who exemplify the Rotary Motto of “Service above Self”.

 

The Sam Berns scholarship was created in 2014, in honor of a young man who exemplified courage and integrity in the face of the challenges of Progeria, and whose "can do" attitude and positive outlook on life have inspired millions to live life to its fullest. Sam, who passed away in January 2014 at the age of 17, was the inspiration behind the creation of the Peabody-based Progeria Research Foundation, whose mission is to find a cure for Progeria. Progeria is a rare, rapid aging disease that afflicts children, who die of heart disease at an average age of 14 years. 

 

The Peabody Rotary Club is looking for applicants for this Sam Berns Scholarship.  Applications must be a Peabody Resident, and graduating senior of an accredited public, private, parochial, vocational or charter high school. They must be accepted to an accredited institution of higher education or vocational training program. They must be able to demonstrate that they reach out to others through community service either locally, regionally or internationally, and exemplify the qualities that Sam practiced daily.