Madison Arial Awarded the Debra Kirkland Memorial Scholarship
“The only disability in life is a bad attitude” (Scott Hamilton). The Special Olympics teaches students strength, courage, and athletic skill. Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) partnered with Best Buddies®, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Debra Kirkland Memorial Scholarship was created to honor a Brownwood ISD senior who embodied the compassionate and enthusiastic spirit of Kirkland, the twenty-five-year BISD employee who passed away in 2016. This was the first year the scholarship became available to a BHS senior who had served for two years as a SOTX Best Buddy.
Madison Arial, a BHS Senior who has been a SOTX Best Buddy since her freshman year, has been selected as the first recipient. She worked with the Harvey family often over the course of her duration at BHS, and they presented her with the award. “I am so beyond honored,” Arial said. “The Harvey family has blessed my life in more ways than anyone could imagine. Special Olympics is my world. I could only imagine to be half the lady Debra was.”
According to Bryan Harvey, the son-in-law of Debra Kirkland, “Madison Arial has a heart of gold and will do anything for anyone to help them. Madison is always smiling. Madison is compassionate, loving, and also willing to serve those with Special Needs. Madison has been part of the Brownwood Special Olympics Team as a mentor for many in the SOTX family and a Unified Partner to Kasidee ‘Peanut,’ Debra’s youngest granddaughter, for the past four years. Madison has received the SOTX Area 14 Unified Partner of the Year Award and the Brownwood SOTX Unified Partner of the Year Award.”
Ashley Cross, BHS Special Olympics Head of Delegation, stated, “Madison has a heart of gold! There isn’t one person on our Special Olympic team who doesn’t love her. She has never backed down from a challenge that I give her as a peer buddy! I can’t tell you how much Madison is going to be missed next year! She is a true example of team leadership and the best peer buddy anyone can ask for.”
Arial plans to continue her work with SOTX. She has been accepted to Tarleton State University and will be dancing with the drill team, the Texan Stars. The scholarship will help aid university expenses as she pursues a degree in Special Education. Her advice for the high school journey? “Soak it all in,” Arial said. “Over the past four years, we are constantly told, ‘it goes by so fast.’ They weren’t kidding. Stay true to yourself and never let anyone come in the way of doing what you love! Have fun, make memories, and enjoy it while it lasts.” Arial proves the importance of a good attitude and the ripple effects one life working for good can make.
An account has been set up at Texas Bank to continue the scholarship for future years. Donations can be made to the Debra Kirkland Memorial Scholarship.
Article by: Sara Musgrove
Above: Madison Arial