​Pomperaug HS Senior Wins $10K AXA Scholarship

From Region 15: AXA Advisors, LLC, a provider of financial services for consumers and businesses, has announced that Madison Shaw, a high school senior attending Pomperaug Regional High School, will receive $10,000 as the Connecticut state winner of the 2017 AXA Achievementsm Scholarship. Additionally, every scholarship recipient’s high school will receive a grant for $1,000 to be used for educational development.

Through the AXA Achievementsm Scholarship, more than 370 students representing all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the local communities where AXA operates will receive a one-time scholarship in the amount of $25,000, $10,000, or $2,500. The 2017 award program will give out more than $1.8 million to support college education and professional development.

Winners – known as AXA Achievers – are graduating high school seniors who demonstrated ambition, drive, and determination to set and reach goals, as well as the ability to succeed in college.

Madison Shaw, “Maddie,” is a motivated advocate driven to inspire positive change for those living with health challenges. Maddie has a Primary Immunodeficiency (PI), specifically Common Variable Immune Disorder; a genetic disease that creates a significantly weakened immune system. In 2013, she founded Maddie’s Herd and dedicated its efforts to working with organizations that foster positive change in the lives of patients and families living with fragile health circumstances, primarily focusing on individuals living with PI. Maddie’s Herd has raised more than $50,000 to date to increase awareness and power research of PI.

Through Maddie’s Herd she has represented the rare disease community with the Immune Deficiency Foundation and the National Organization for Rare Disorders, locally and on Capitol Hill to influence key legislation, including congressional bills. She has been a guest speaker at the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and at youth groups empowering pediatric patients with the message that the key to thriving in spite of chronic illness is a fighting attitude. She is the author of two books, Dracula as a Detective, about getting blood work, and A Real Zeal for FUNdraising. She has raised more than $50,000 in support of the Immune Deficiency Foundation and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp; and this work has been recognized by the Charlotte Bacon Acts of Kindness award through the Newtown Kindness Organization in 2016, and as a nominee for the Rare Impact Award through NORD in 2016. She is described as an “unbelievable individual,” who is always optimistic and always smiling. Maddie’s personal mission and demonstrated accomplishments showcase her zeal to create change. Maddie will be attending Emerson College after graduation from Pomperaug High School to study political communications and advocacy.

“AXA Advisors and the Region 15 community share a common goal of providing resources that help make college possible for students like Madison,” stated Gregory Geloso, Divisional Executive Vice President for AXA Advisors in Milford, CT. “By supporting their educational success we are making an investment in their futures and the success of our communities.”

AXA Achievement is funded by the AXA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AXA Advisors. Through AXA Achievement, the company is one of the nation’s largest corporate providers of scholarships — awarding more than $1.4 million a year — and is a comprehensive resource for information to help students and parents take the next step to college.

AXA is proud to feature these students on our website, https://us.axa.com/axa-foundation/about.html and present a video highlighting their inspiring personal stories. The scholarship program is administered by Scholarship Management Servicessm, a program of Scholarship America sm, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit private sector and educational support organizations.

Photo courtesy of Region 15 ((Madison Shaw AXA): Madison Shaw, a high school senior attending Pomperaug Regional High School, will receive $10,000 as the Connecticut state winner of the 2017 AXA Achievementsm Scholarship. Additionally, every scholarship recipient’s high school will receive a grant for $1,000 to be used for educational development. (L-R): Robin Ricci- AXA Director, Strategic Relations; Cece Dias- AXA Financial Advisor; Madison Shaw, Glenn Lungarini - Prinicipal Pomperaug High School; and Gregory Geloso – Divisional Executive Vice president for AXA Advisors in Milford, CT. )