Campus Connection

Scholarship frees up time for student to build a future working for kids

Seeing a child smile is a big motivator for Breanne Thompson. A first-generation college student paying her way through college, Thompson says the Laura Schuh Biology Scholarship helped free up time to participate in college opportunities that have brought her closer to her dream of becoming a pediatrics physical therapist. The UWL biology major volunteered last spring semester for DanceAbilities, an Onalaska program that allows children with varying disabilities to participate in dance. Many of the kids have little-to-no motor movement on their own. Thompson helped them move their arms and legs to music, allowing them to participate and feel like any other kid. “For me, one of the best parts about DanceAbilities is not only getting to help children move and feel like everyone else, but it is seeing the reactions of the parents,” says Thompson. “The parents love to take videos during the dance classes of their children because they see them smiling and having a great time. These parents are people who would probably give anything to see their child be able to run around on the playground, so I enjoy being able to see them take happiness in seeing their child participate in an everyday activity like a dance class.” Thompson, who volunteers for several other community programs, wants to become a pediatrics physical therapist because of her love of building relationships— particularly with kids. She first realized her connection to kids when volunteering for Big Brothers, Big Sisters in high school. Over the years, that passion to work with kids has grown. Her volunteer work with children who have developmental disabilities has helped her recognize and appreciate her own abilities, and the chance to share them with others. Thompson says the Laura Schuh Biology Scholarship allowed her to cut back hours from her part-time job so she could focus more on meaningful experiences like DanceAbillities that bring her closer to her career goal. This particular scholarship freed up time to take a teaching assistantship in her anatomy lab in fall 2016. In the lab working with human cadavers, she built confidence in anatomy that will be useful as she begins UWL’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program this summer. “I am so thankful that this scholarship has given me the chance to take this opportunity,” she says in a thank you letter to donors. “Thank you for allowing me to focus more on my school work and worry less about paying for college through the gift of this scholarship!”