When Katrina and Aricka Kerns’ father, Malcom, passed away, the members of Indian Lake, Ohio, Lodge and the Elks National Foundation were quick to hear their cries of distress. Through the Emergency Educational Fund program, Katrina and Erica were able to apply for financial assistance to continue their college education.

Each year, the Elks National Foundation provides resources to children of deceased or totally disabled Elks to help these students continue to pursue their educational dreams. Since inception, the program has provided more than $10.3 million to our nation’s future leaders.

Katrina, a senior at Bowling Green State University, is studying biology and hopes to work in a family practice as a physician. Attending college has changed life.

“I am a more well-rounded individual and more open minded than before college,” Katrina relates. “I also know how to handle stress, manage my time, and overcome hardships better than before.”

Her Emergency Educational Grant has made the difference in her college career. “My grant has helped me tremendously with my college expenses,” Katrina explains. “It has relieved some of the financial stresses that come along with paying for college on your own.”

Aricka, a sophomore at the University of Findlay, hopes to work at NASA as a mathematician. Attending college has helped Aricka set goals for her life. “College has made me more aware and helped me focus on my future,” says Aricka.

However, this opportunity would not have been possible without help from the Elks. The grant came at a time when Aricka was struggling to afford tuition because she pays for college on her own.

“The scholarship was tremendously helpful financially,” Aricka relates, “but it was also helpful mentally. It relieved some of the stress of paying for school, which helped me get through a rough year.

“I think my dad would have been really excited about me receiving this scholarship too, because he knew I needed it, and he wanted me to apply for it.”

To read stories from other scholarship recipients, visit www.elks.org/ENF/Scholars/ourscholarships.cfm.