Ability Center presents college scholarships

TOLEDO, Ohio — The Ability Center of Greater Toledo awarded its scholarships for youth with disabilities Wednesday afternoon.

Funds were presented to the following students at The Belmont Country Club:

• Emily DeGrace (Temperance): Meteorology major, Statistics minor
• Perri Garner (Toledo): Pharmacy major
• James Kolopajlo (Sylvania): Undecided with 4.1027 high school GPA
• Olivia Ohmer (Adrian): Biology major, Public Health minor

Garner, a mother of three girls, has reached her senior year at The University of Toledo despite battling cerebral palsy.

"My dream is to help contribute to the disability community to further the quality in our community and just take care of people," she said. "Don't give up. You're going to have many obstacles in your life, but keep pushing forward. Never give up. Just try your hardest. Sometimes you're going to get set back, but don't let that discourage you. Keep fighting for your dreams."

Scholarship applicants must have a disability, permanently reside in northwest Ohio or southeast Michigan, achieve at least a 3.0 GPA and be enrolled in a post-secondary degree program.

Candidates can apply at abilitycenter.org/programs/scholarship-application.