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Jack Cole awarded $2,500 college scholarship from Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
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Boca Raton, FL – August 5, 2025 — The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) named Jack Cole, of Boca Raton, the second-place winner (essay category) of its national 2025 Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Contest and awarded him a $2,500 college scholarship. Jack was chosen for his essay about his grandfather, “Big Poppy,” and his battle with Alzheimer’s disease, and the impact it had on his life, which included writing a children’s book to help other children who had loved ones with Alzheimer’s.
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“Jack’s essay about his grandfather, the impact he had on his life, and how it drove him to help other families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s is an inspiring reminder that you’re never too young to make a difference in someone else’s life,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President and CEO. “We congratulate Jack, thank him for sharing his story, and appreciate his efforts to support other children who have loved ones living with Alzheimer’s.”
Jack’s essay describes Big Poppy as a loving, supportive man with whom he was very close. Following a fall which led to an MRI, Big Poppy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018.
“Big Poppy took his diagnosis in stride. He uttered the word Alzheimer’s to us just once and then continued to live his life in the only way he knew how – with a determination, a smile on his face, and a wide open heart,” wrote Jack.
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Big Poppy moved from Philadelphia to Florida, where Jack’s family cared for him. Eventually, he had to move into a memory care facility, and Jack visited him every Sunday. During one of the visits, Jack noticed two young children playing a game with their grandmother, similar to how he used to play games together with Big Poppy. Inspired to help reach other kids and make sure they knew they were not alone, he began writing a children’s adventure novel, “The Card Squad,” based off Big Poppy. During his visits, he would read excerpts from his work to his grandfather and other residents. Big Poppy passed away the week “The Card Squad” was published. Jack views it as Big Poppy’s legacy living on.
“I know I did what he would want me to – make the best of the situation handed to me…Big Poppy taught me so many things, but above all, his battle with Alzheimer’s taught me how to look at the biggest challenges in life, make the most of what I am given, and face those obstacles with a proud persistence and a smile,” Jack wrote in his essay.
Jack recently graduated from Pine Crest Preparatory School in Fort Lauderdale and will be attending Harvard College this fall.
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AFA’s annual Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Contest asks high school seniors to describe how Alzheimer’s disease has impacted their lives, what they have learned about themselves, their families, and their community in the face of this disease, and what their plans are for bringing awareness to the disease in the future. Students can submit entries as essays or videos, and more than 1,200 students entered the 2025 contest. This year, AFA awarded more than $46,000 in college scholarships to 55 students from across the country. More than $527,000 in college scholarships have been awarded since the program’s inception.
For more information about AFA’s Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Contest, or to make a donation in support of the program, call AFA at 866-232-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org.
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide and to fund research for better treatment and a cure. Its services include a National Toll-Free Helpline (866-232-8484) staffed entirely by licensed social workers, caregiver support groups, educational programs and publications for caregivers, dementia-care training for healthcare professionals, the National Memory Screening Program, and more. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, or connect with us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, or LinkedIn. AFA holds Charity Navigator’s top 4-star rating.
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