Scholarship

2015 Scholarship Winners:

Rhode Island 1st Place: Katherine Marie Henao

Massachusetts 1st Place: Benjamin Dussault

Massachusetts 2nd Place: Thomas O’Connor

Connecticut 1st Place: Heather Griffin

Connecticut 2nd Place: Emily Betterton and Isabella Husu

Juniors 1st Place: Leslie Tapia-Bernal



The law firm of Marasco & Nesselbush is increasingly concerned about the rising incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other brain injuries and disorders. Brain injury knows no bounds and affects people of all ages, from children to teenagers and adults.

From concussions suffered by children not wearing bicycle helmets to head injuries suffered by athletes to brain trauma from auto accidents, TBI is a serious problem for people of all ages. As Benjamin Franklin said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Accordingly, the law firm Marasco & Nesselbush has established a scholarship fund whose mission and purpose is to raise public awareness, especially among young people, about the causes and effects of TBI as well as other brain disorders such as tumors. The specific focus will be on prevention and treatment, including how to react if you suspect a concussion and successful strategies for living with a brain-related illness.

The future is in the hands of our youth. That’s why we are offering students in Southern New England the opportunity to help raise awareness about traumatic brain injuries, and potentially win a scholarship to help pay some of your college expenses.

Marasco & Nesselbush would like to call forth the creative minds of students to produce a short video that will help spread the word about brain injury. Creators of the best videos will receive a scholarship towards their college education.

An individual $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to three first-place winners –one in Rhode Island, one in Connecticut and one in Massachusetts. The second-place winners in each of the three states will each receive a $500 scholarship.

Interested? Here is what you need to do. Submit a spirited, innovative 30-second public service announcement video on one of these three topics:

TOPIC 1

Concussions/Head Injuries: Think Fast

These videos will showcase the most frequent causes of concussions/head injuries and provide information about what should be done if someone may have suffered a concussion;

TOPIC 2

A Day in the Life of Someone with a Brain Injury

These videos will demonstrate the hurdles and successful strategies employed by those living with TBI or other brain disorder;

TOPIC 3

Compassion for Caregivers

These videos will focus on the family and friends of brain disorder or TBI patients and the courage and compassion they show every day as they help their loved ones recover and cope.

Be creative! We are looking for original, imaginative and inspired messages that will capture the viewer’s attention so as to raise awareness about this important issue. Now is the time to let your individuality shine. Videos can be catchy, pithy or lighthearted, but they should also be tasteful and take into consideration the seriousness of the topic.

Ready to enter? Submit a signed and scanned application form along with a digital photo of yourself.

The deadline for submitting entries is 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 31, 2015 April 15, 2015 (extended!). Winners will be announced in Early May.

As a premier personal injury law firm serving Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP, is committed to making our region safer, and unfortunately, everyone is at risk for suffering a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. We know that young people are our most valuable resource –a group of people who can really make a difference in our communities. Our commitment to our clients and their families and the communities we serve includes helping students realize their dreams of pursing a college education and a meaningful career.

Marasco & Nesselbush wishes you good luck as we eagerly anticipate the creativity your videos will display.

Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP, will provide the following awards to winners of our scholarship contest. First- and second-place winners will be determined by a review committee.

First-place winner in Rhode Island: $1,000

First-place winner in Connecticut: $1,000

First-place winner in Massachusetts: $1,000

Second-place winner in Rhode Island: $500

Second-place winner in Connecticut: $500

Second-place winner in Massachusetts: $500

The cash prizes will be awarded as a check from the law firm of Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP, and must be used to pay for college tuition and/or education-related expenses.

You must have submitted a complete entry package by 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 31, 2015 April 15, 2015 (extended!).

All submissions will become the property of Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP, to distribute and reproduce in accordance with its mission.

The entrants agree that Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP, will have the right to use their image and video on the Marasco & Nesselbush websites and in their written promotional pieces.

The Brain Injury Prevention Scholarship Contest is open to high school seniors in Rhode Island, Connecticut or Massachusetts and students currently enrolled at a two-year or four-year college or university in Rhode Island, Connecticut or Massachusetts. The scholarships are only valid for two-year or four-year colleges and universities in the United States.

Applicants will please send a completed, downloadable application, head shot photo and 30-second video to scholarship@m-n-law.com.

Please signify that you have read and understand the Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP, Brain Injury Prevention Scholarship Contest by submitting a signed application form.

If a video submission includes multiple people in the making of the video, the actual applicant will be only person registered for the contest. If that video wins the scholarship competition, the award associated with the video goes to the sole applicant who made and submitted the video.

We will upload each video to YouTube. Each entry will also have its own page on the scholarship page featuring the embedded video, head shot and biography of the applicant.

Visitors can login on the m-n-law.com/scholarship and vote for their favorite video. Use the hashtag #PreventBrainInjury2015 when sharing your favorite video.

Social voting will account for 25 percent of the final score.

For more information about the Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP, Brain Injury Prevention Scholarship Contest, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.