Short Hills Teen Awarded Scholarship From NJCTS

SOMERVILLE, NJ (June 4, 2021) – On Friday, in honor of Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day, NJCTS presented sixteen scholarship awards to graduating New Jersey seniors. One of the recipients was Eric Jones, 18, of Short Hills.

NJCTS awarded scholarships to high school seniors with Tourette Syndrome (TS) - a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by uncontrollable movements known as tics. As many as 1 in 100 people show signs of TS or other tic disorder which is frequently accompanied by mental health disorders including ADHD, OCD, and anxiety.

Eric was diagnosed with TS, but continued to thrive in and out of school. He was on his high school’s tennis team, was a volunteer with the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges, and many more. “I may become anxious, start to tic, get laughed at, and feel embarrassed,” says Eric. “I might suffer through my worst nightmares again, but I am committed to developing the fortitude and confidence to continue to grow.” Eric is a graduate of Millburn High School and will be attending Emory University in the fall.

Academic achievement, community involvement and accomplishments all play a part in the NJCTS Scholarship Committee’s decision in selecting winning candidates each year.

“We could not be more proud of these young men and woman and all that they have accomplished during their high school career,” said Patricia Phillips, Executive Director of NJCTS. “Every time we see our advocates, it inspires us all to work harder and be better. We congratulate and thank each one of them.”

Eric’s scholarship winning essay can be found at www.njcts.org/teens4ts/

NJCTS, the nation’s first Center of Excellence for Tourette Syndrome, is a not-for-profit organization committed to the advocacy of children and families with Tourette Syndrome and its associated disorders. Dedicated to delivering high quality services to these individuals, the Center recognizes the importance of educating the public, medical professionals, and teachers about this disorder through programs and affiliations with public schools, health centers, and universities. To learn more about Tourette Syndrome and the programs available from NJCTS, visit www.njcts.org.