Eastern High School graduate receives Tourette Syndrome scholarship

BERLIN -- The New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS) is proud to announce Connor E. Travis as an honorable-mention recipient of the 2013 NJCTS Children's Scholarship Award, which this year is being given in honor of the late Dr. Nathan Weiss and his contributions to the organization.

Travis, who is graduating from Eastern High School, was selected for his academic achievement, community service and accomplishments as an individual with Tourette Syndrome – an inherited, misunderstood, misdiagnosed neurological disorder that affects 1 in 100 children.

Travis’ award essay was titled “The Brighter Side of an Obstacle,” and his list of activities is impressive. The Berlin native was a four-year participant in Eastern’s baseball team and Interact Club. Travis also developed a service organization called Next Door, which helps underprivileged people locally, regionally and even nationally. Each year, he also cooks food and helps out with registration at the Buddy Walk for kids with Down Syndrome, and at Christmas he collects donations and gifts for the needy.

NJCTS congratulates Travis – who will attend Arcadia University in Pennsylvania this fall – on his achievements and wishes him continued success in his academic and career endeavors.

Since 2001, the NJCTS Children's Scholarship Award has been awarded to more than 200 outstanding high school seniors in the state of New Jersey who have excelled in their schools, communities and lives – representing themselves as excellent advocates for Tourette. Dr. Weiss, President Emeritus of Kean University who passed away April 9, was a longtime friend and trusted adviser to NJCTS.

To learn more about the scholarship program and other 2013 winners, or discover other NJCTS programs, please visit www.njcts.org or visit the Teens4TS blog.