Whiz Kid: Betsy O'Brien

Name: Betsy O’Brien

School: 

Grade: Senior

Accomplishment: Betsy has been named a finalist for the John Carroll University’s Arrupe Scholars Program. John Carroll, Cleveland’s Jesuit University, offers this scholarship to incoming students, who have demonstrated a commitment to social justice. Admission into the program would equate to $20,000 per year for four years of college. 

 Key to Awesomeness: Betsy has overcome many issues related to growing up with Type I Diabetes, and has used her experience to help others with the disease. After being a camper for several years, Betsy became a counselor at the Clara Barton Camp in North Oxford, MA, which is well-known overnight camp for girls with Type I Diabetes.

Aside from her work at the Clara Barton Camp, Betsy is focusing on diabetes for her senior social justice project. As part of her project Betsy will host a seminar for children with Type I Diabetes and their parents called “Life after Middle School.” The event will be held at the on Saturday, March 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Betsey, who is also a Youth Leader for the American Diabetes Association, created the event to ease the transition into high school. “I wish something like this had been available to me,” said Betsy in a press release from Fontbonne. “I want people to know what to expect and to take measures to make their move to high school easier.”

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