Mckenzie Rozek of Madison has received a scholarship from the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Mckenzie Rozek, 2015 valedictorian of Madison Academy, has received a scholarship from the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.

Since 2003, the scholarship program has helped students nationwide affected by MS in their pursuit of a college education. “This year, the program expanded to include not only first-time college students but also anyone that will attend an accredited college or technical school who has MS or has a parent with MS,” marketing and communications manager Laura Pemberton.

“In addition to the emotional toll, MS can have a substantial financial impact on a family. The direct and indirect costs of MS, including lost wages, even for those with health insurance, are estimated at more than $70,000 annually per household,” Pemberton said.

“With the increased medical bills, I realize that my parents are not able to pay to send me to college,” Rozek wrote in her scholarship essay. “My parents are the biggest supporters of my dreams and aspirations, and, by saving money for my own education, I am able to help ease the financial situation.”

Next semester, Rozek will attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham and major in either biomedical sciences or neurological science. “I have narrowed my specific career goal down to multiple sclerosis-related research,” Rozek said.

Most scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000.

At Madison Academy, Rozek mastered advance-placement courses, led Anchor Club and Mu Alpha Theta and participated in Spanish Club, Optimist Club, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She was a National Merit Finalist.

Mckenzie’s parents are Larry and Kim Rozek of Madison.

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable and often disabling disease of the central nervous system, which interrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body. MS is the no. 1 disabling neurological disease for young to middle-aged adults.

For more information, call 1-800-344-4867 or visit nationalMSsociety.org/scholarship.