Who Can Apply:
- The Norton “Adapt and Overcome” Scholarship was created after Phil and Braiden Norton recognized a need to support graduating high school seniors who have pursued their education while enduring extraordinary physical medical challenges—students for whom simply showing up to school each day required uncommon strength and perseverance.
- The inspiration behind this scholarship is Braiden Norton himself. Throughout high school, Braiden faced daily battles brought on by a brain tumor and a rare paralysis condition, obstacles that would have stopped many in their tracks. Yet, he continued forward. His father, Phil, witnessed firsthand the determination, courage, and optimism Braiden summoned each morning just to step into the classroom. Braiden’s commitment to staying positive and earning his diploma is nothing short of remarkable. Today, he is a proud Third Class (sophomore) Cadet at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, pursuing a degree in International Maritime Business.
- Phil Norton first learned the phrase “Adapt and Overcome” when he entered the U.S. Navy, but its deeper meaning did not take root until Braiden’s brain tumor diagnosis at just one year old. Over time, those words became far more than a motto, they became a guiding force. As Braiden grew old enough to understand the phrase, it became the family’s shared mantra, a source of strength as they navigated every challenge and uncertainty that came with his medical journey.
- This scholarship honors that spirit, the courage to adapt, the determination to overcome, and the belief that even in the face of adversity, a student’s dreams are still within reach.
- Any high school senior from Massachusetts pursuing further education who has faced significant challenges related to a physical medical diagnosis is encouraged to apply for this scholarship.
Submission: In your application, share your story. Tell us about the obstacles your medical condition has created on your educational journey, and describe the mindset, motivations, or strategies that help you continue pushing forward. We want to understand not only the challenges you’ve faced, but the strength, perseverance, and hope that keep you moving toward your goals.
Deadline: June 27, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Learn More: https://bold.org/scholarships/norton-adapt-and-overcome-scholarship/
