Mallory Beal, a Glenside resident and 2025 graduate of Abington Senior High School, has been named the third-place winner of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s (AFA) national Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Contest.

Beal will be awarded a $1,250 college scholarship for her essay about her uncle, who was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 58.

“Sharing stories and personal experiences is a powerful way to heighten understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and remind those affected by it that they are not alone. We’re grateful to Mallory for sharing hers, because it will undoubtedly give others support and inspiration,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President and CEO. “We congratulate Mallory and appreciate her efforts to help other families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s.”

Beal’s essay describes her uncle as a generous, fun, selfless man who was a role model to her.

“Even through all the heartbreak, I realized something important: My uncle, even though he was going through so much, was still showing us how to live with grace. He wasn’t giving up, even when it felt like his mind was slipping away from him. And if he could keep going, even on his hardest days, then maybe I could too… I know that he may not remember all the moments we’ve shared, but I’ll never forget him. I’ll never forget how much he taught me about resilience, love, and the importance of family,” Beal wrote in her essay.

Since the diagnosis, Beal has helped to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s, how it affects families, and why it is important for research to be funded. She plans to remain active in raising awareness, volunteering, and supporting fundraising efforts.

“What my uncle’s journey with Alzheimer’s has taught me is that, even when life feels unfair, there’s always something we can do to help,” Beal said. “I’ve learned that I don’t have to be helpless in the face of Alzheimer’s. I can give back, raise awareness, and be a voice for those who are going through what my uncle—and my family—are experiencing. And in doing so, I hope I can help others find strength too.”

Beal will be attending Miami University this fall.

AFA’s annual Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Contest asks high school seniors to describe how Alzheimer’s disease has impacted their lives, what they have learned about themselves, their families, and their community in the face of this disease, and what their plans are for bringing awareness to the disease in the future. Students can submit entries as essays or videos, and more than 1,200 students entered the 2025 contest. This year, AFA awarded more than $46,000 in college scholarships to 55 students from across the country. More than $527,000 in college scholarships have been awarded since the program’s inception.

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