Tag: KFM Making a Difference Scholarship Winners

12 Autistic Students Receive College Scholarships; 162 Recipients in 12 Years

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(October 28, 2024) – Dr. Kerry Magro Ed.D., an autistic adult and Founder/President of KFM Making a Difference (a New Jersey-based nonprofit corporation), announced his organization’s award of college scholarships to twelve autistic adults, including:

Brooke Amelia Brockman (Elwood, NE), Olivette Copple (Dillon, MT), Alexander August Macdonald (Raleigh, NC), James Nemitoff (Hawthorne, NJ), Aren Wang (Union City, CA)

With this latest round of scholarship awards, Kerry Magro and KFM have now awarded one-hundred and sixty-two (162) scholarships to autistic students in the last 12 years.

Support our Nonprofit and our initiatives like our Autism Scholarship Program here.

This year KFM Making a Difference was able to give out twelve (12) scholarships for autistic students for college.

“As an autistic child who dealt with many obstacles, I’m honored to be able to give back to our community in this way. When I started this scholarship program, I never imagined we’d get to the point of giving 162 scholarships to autistic students for college. Over 50 young autistic adults applied.” says Dr. Kerry Magro Ed.D., founder and CEO of KFM Making a Difference. “I always wish we could give even more scholarships each year, which is why our nonprofit needs to continue to receive donations to support these students.”

The twelve scholarship winners were accepted into the following colleges…

Centenary University, Chabot College, Hastings College, SUNY Old Westbury, UNC Charlotte, University of Montana

In Fall 2012, KFM Making a Difference launched its scholarship program. Thus far, KFM has given out one-hundred and sixty-two (162) scholarships to help autistic students attend college. Kerry Magro, the founder of KFM, is a professional speaker, best-selling author, and movie consultant. Kerry was nonspeaking till 2.5 and was diagnosed with autism at age four.

Today, Kerry travels the country to share his story about autism and to support other autistic kids on their roads through life. Among the topics Kerry discusses are the power of communication, disabilities in the workplace, bullying prevention, the transition to adulthood for those with disabilities, how to succeed in school with a disability, and much more! Recently Kerry has spoken at over 1350 events over the past 13 years, including being one of the first people on the autism spectrum to ever give a ‘Talks at Google.’ He gives talks as part of student assemblies, educator staff development, and professional development, along with keynote and breakout sessions. While most of his speaking work is giving professional development talks with companies on neurodiversity and autism in the workplace, he still enjoys the opportunity to speak in the schools to educate students and educators.

Today, according to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism, and 1 in 45 adults, while more than 700,000 young autistic children will reach adulthood within the next decade. A few years ago, U.S. News & World Report highlighted KFM Making a Difference as one of the only nonprofits to give out scholarships to autistic adults pursuing a post-secondary program in the U.S.

Their next 2025 scholarship application is now available you can apply for here.

You can make a tax-deductible donation here to help them continue to give out this scholarship https://kfmmakingadifference.org/donate/.

If you are interested in learning more about Kerry’s background or sending him a media/speaker inquiry, you can contact him anytime here. You can purchase a copy of Autistics on Autism here.

20 Autistic Students Receive College Scholarships; 150 Recipients in 11 Years

Posted on by kfmmakingadifference348

(December 21, 2023) – Dr. Kerry Magro Ed.D., an autistic adult and Founder/President of KFM Making a Difference (a New Jersey-based nonprofit corporation), announced his organization’s award of college scholarships to twenty autistic adults, including:

Aaron Rhodes (Booneville, AR), Addyson Soderquist (Lufkin, TX), Alexander Passoni-Torres (Broken Arrow, OK), Andrew O’Donnell (Morresville, NC), Christopher Lewis Lacey, WA), Connor Tang (Weston, FL), Emilia Keane (Downingtown, PA), Erika Ekblaw (Chesterton, IN), Fiona Garner (Dahlonega, GA), Jacob Cheatham (San Diego, CA), Jinn Janpathompong (Amherst, MA), Jordan Hernandez (Las Vegas, NV), Josef Marlow (Tallahassee, FL), Lola (Bo) Green (San Antonio, TX), Luke Friedel (St. Peters, MO), Maxwell Goodridge (Jacksonville, FL), Mckenna Chada (Indianola, IA), Noah Labrie (Manchester, NH), Veronica (Phoenix) Pederson (Davis, CA)

With this latest round of scholarship awards, Kerry Magro and KFM have now awarded one-hundred and fifty (150) scholarships to autistic students in the last 11 years.

Support our Nonprofit and our initiatives like our Autism Scholarship Program here.

This year KFM Making a Difference was able to give out twenty (20) scholarships for autistic students for college thanks in part to proceeds received from the nonprofit’s book Autistics on Autism: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams which reached several Amazon best-seller lists in 2022. So with that, they could give twenty scholarships to some bright students on the autism spectrum. This was the most scholarships the nonprofit has ever announced in one year. Autistics on Autism was released on March 29, 2022, and featured the stories of 100 autistic adults, many of whom were previous KFM Making a Difference for Autism Scholarship Recipients.

“As an autistic child who dealt with many obstacles, I’m honored to be able to give back to our community in this way. When I started this scholarship program, I never imagined we’d get to the point of giving 150 scholarships to autistic students for college. Over 130 young autistic adults applied.” says Dr. Kerry Magro Ed.D., founder and CEO of KFM Making a Difference. “I always wish we could give even more scholarships each year, which is why our nonprofit needs to continue to receive donations to support these students.”

The twenty scholarship winners were accepted into the following colleges…

College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas Austin, College of Southern Nevada, CSN College Station CSU Sacramento, Flagler College, High Point University, Florida International University Iowa State University, Ivy Tech Community College, San Diego State University, Texas A&M University, University of North Florida Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), Reinhard University, University of Central Arkansas University of Central Florida, University of Delaware, University of Massachusetts Amherst and University of Tulsa

In Fall 2012, KFM Making a Difference launched its scholarship program. Thus far, KFM has given out one-hundred and fifty (150) scholarships to help autistic students attend college. Kerry Magro, the founder of KFM, is a professional speaker, best-selling author, and movie consultant. Kerry was nonspeaking till 2.5 and was diagnosed with autism at age four. Today, Kerry travels the country to share his story about autism and to support other autistic kids on their roads through life. Among the topics Kerry discusses are the power of communication, disabilities in the workplace, bullying prevention, the transition to adulthood for those with disabilities, how to succeed in school with a disability, and much more! Recently Kerry has spoken at over 1250 events over the past 12 years, including being one of the first people on the autism spectrum to ever give a ‘Talks at Google.’ He gives talks as part of student assemblies, educator staff development, and professional development, along with keynote and breakout sessions

Today, according to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism, while more than 700,000 young autistic children will reach adulthood within the next decade. A few years ago, U.S. News & World Report highlighted KFM Making a Difference as one of the only nonprofits to give out scholarships to autistic adults pursuing a post-secondary program in the U.S.

Their next scholarship application will be available in 2024, which you can apply for now here. You can make a tax-deductible donation here to help them continue to give out this scholarship https://kfmmakingadifference.org/donate/. If you are interested in learning more about Kerry’s background or sending him a media/speaker inquiry, you can contact him anytime here. You can purchase a copy of Autistics on Autism here.

30 Autistic Students Receive College Scholarships; 130 Recipients in 10 Years

Posted on by kfmmakingadifference348

(July 7, 2022) – Dr. Kerry Magro Ed.D., an autistic adult and Founder/President of KFM Making a Difference (a New Jersey-based nonprofit corporation), announced his organization’s award of college scholarships to thirty autistic adults, including:

Alyssa Aey (Wadsworth, OH), Portia Bowman (Newburgh, IN), Brooke Brockman (Elwood, NE) Madison Brooks (Richmond, TX), Thomas Coxwell (Thomasville, AL), Amythyst Morris (Kingsport, TN), Abigail Farnsworth (Walker, WV), Avery Hannon (Burlington, NJ), Lennon Hare (Brockport, NY), Maxwell Hutchinson, Mariah Kay Sample (Madison, WI), Grant Manier (Fond du Lac, WI), Nadia Montiel (CA), Veronica Nunez, Riley Justice (Erie, CO), Jerron Higgins (St. Louis, MO) Elizabeth Ogorek (Indianapolis, IN), Aidan Reynolds (Harwinton, CT), Jacob Thorton (Wake Forest, NC), Brandon Walters (Wilmington, OH), Zander Feist (Hanover Township, PA), Francine Wooley and scholarship recipients to be named later.

With this latest round of scholarship awards, Kerry Magro and KFM have now awarded one-hundred and thirty (130) scholarships to autistic students in the last 10 years.

Support our Nonprofit and our initiatives like our Autism Scholarship Program here.

This year KFM Making a Difference was able to give out thirty (30) scholarships for autistic students for college thanks in part to proceeds received from the nonprofit’s book Autistics on Autism: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams which reached several Amazon best-seller lists. So with that, they could give thirty scholarships to some bright students on the autism spectrum. This was the most scholarships the nonprofit has ever announced in one year. Autistics on Autism was released on March 29, 2022, and featured the stories of 100 autistic adults, many of whom were previous KFM Making a Difference for Autism Scholarship Recipients.

“As an autistic child who dealt with many obstacles, I’m honored to be able to give back to our community in this way. When I started this scholarship program, I never imagined we’d get to the point of giving 130 scholarships to autistic students for college. Over 90 young autistic adults applied.” says Dr. Kerry Magro Ed.D., founder and CEO of KFM Making a Difference. “I always wish we could give even more scholarships each year, which is why our nonprofit needs to continue to receive donations to support these students.”

The thirty scholarship winners were accepted into the following colleges…

Miami University of Ohio. Cornell College, University of St. Thomas; Houston Community College in Houston, Lone Star College. The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Bowling Green State University, East Tennessee State University, Ashland University, Florida Southwestern, Florida Polytechnic, Temple University, and Rochester Institute of Technology, Alabama State University (ASU), West Chester University of Pennsylvania, University of Denver, Edgewood College, California State University Northridge, Moraine Technical Park College, California Lutheran University, Austin Community College, Eastern Kentucky University, Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis, The University of Findlay, Barrett the Honors College at Arizona State University, Tunxis Community College, Central Connecticut State University, Muskegon Community College. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Wilmington College, Luzerne County Community College, Illinois State University, and Marist College.

In Fall 2012, KFM Making a Difference launched its scholarship program. Thus far, KFM has given out one-hundred and thirty (130) scholarships to help autistic students attend college. Kerry Magro, the founder of KFM, is a professional speaker, best-selling author, and movie consultant. Kerry was nonspeaking till 2.5 and was diagnosed with autism at age four. Today, Kerry travels the country to share his story about autism and to support other autistic kids on their roads through life. Among the topics Kerry discusses are the power of communication, disabilities in the workplace, bullying prevention, the transition to adulthood for those with disabilities, how to succeed in school with a disability, and much more! Recently Kerry has spoken at over 1150 events over the past 11 years, including being one of the first people on the autism spectrum to ever give a ‘Talks at Google.’ He gives talks as part of student assemblies, educator staff development, and professional development, along with keynote and breakout sessions

Today, according to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 44 children are diagnosed with autism, while more than 700,000 young autistic children will reach adulthood within the next decade. A few years ago, U.S. News & World Report highlighted KFM Making a Difference as one of the only nonprofits to give out scholarships to autistic adults pursuing a post-secondary program in the U.S.

Their next scholarship application will be available in 2023, which you can apply for now here. You can make a tax-deductible donation here to help them continue to give out this scholarshiphttps://kfmmakingadifference.org/donate/. If you are interested in learning more about Kerry’s background or sending him a media/speaker inquiry, you can contact him anytime here. You can purchase a copy of Autistics on Autism here.

4 Students with Autism Receive College Scholarships; 30 Recipients in 5 Years

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Spring 2016 Winners

Kerry Magro, an adult with autism and Founder/President of KFM Making a Difference (a New Jersey based non-profit corporation), announced his organization’s award of college scholarships to four young adults with autism; Alexander Gumm, Cameron Laventure, Leanne Libas, and Thomas Stokes. With this latest round of scholarship awards, Kerry Magro and KFM have now awarded thirty (30) scholarships to students with autism in the last 5 years.

As many students with autism graduate this spring, we celebrate their unique gifts through scholarships awarded by KFM Making a Difference, a non-profit organization that helps students with autism go to college. This year KFM is proud to award scholarships to Alexander Gumm (Minden, NV), Cameron Laventure (Charleston, SC), Leanne Libas (Lake Forest, CA) and Thomas Stokes (Lakeville, MN). These are KFM’s 2016 “Making a Difference for Autism Scholarship” winners!

“Our winners for the spring were phenomenal,” says Kerry Magro, founder and CEO of KFM Making a Difference. “Each of their academic paths will lead to very promising careers. I have no doubt about it. We need to continue to provide support to our kids. We are all in this together. Hopefully, these scholarships will help them to continue to pursue their dreams…”

In fall of 2012, KFM Making a Difference launched its scholarship program. Thus far KFM has given out thirty (30) scholarships in total, helping 30 autistic adults to go to college. Kerry Magro, founder of KFM, is a producer of social media and digital content at Autism Speaks, a professionally certified motivational speaker, best-selling author, movie consultant and television talk show host. Kerry was diagnosed with autism at age four. Today, Kerry travels the country to share his story about autism and to support other autistic kids on their roads through life.

Today, according to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 68 children will be diagnosed with autism while more than 500,000 young individuals with autism will reach adulthood within the next decade. A few years ago U.S. News & World Report highlighted KFM Making a Difference as one of the only non-profits to give out scholarships to adults with autism in the U.S pursuing a post-secondary program.

KFM Making a Difference has now decided to do something different with the addition of a summer scholarship application to coincide with the scholarship applications that already happen annually in the spring and fall semesters. The deadline for the “2016 Summer Making a Difference for Autism Scholarship” will be Monday, August 29th at Midnight U.S Eastern Standard Time. You can find the application here.

This scholarship fund is funded entirely through the generous donations of members in our community. You can help their scholarship program moving forward by making a tax-deductible donation here.