Student’s poignant essay
pays school tuition

Tommy Farmer is this year’s recipient of the Andy Wallace Memorial Scholarship, given to a St. Christopher School student who wins an essay contest.
The scholarship is in memory of Andy Wallace, a St. Christopher graduate who died in 2001 at age 27. Wallace attended La Salle High School and St. Joseph’s University and was a pharmaceutical salesman when he died. He starred in soccer and other sports.
The scholarship fund is administered by Brian Hamill, who was a friend of Wallace.
Money for scholarships at St. Christopher and St. Joseph’s University is raised during the Andy Wallace Memorial Golf Outing.
The sixth annual outing is set for Saturday, Sept. 6, at Island Green Country Club. For more information, call Hamill at 215-802-1053.
The essay contest required participants to write about how they incorporate Catholicism in their lives. Ninety-five students submitted an essay.
Tommy wrote an essay that referenced his ongoing battle with cystic fibrosis and his relationships with his friends and sister. He won because his thoughts and characteristics were most reminiscent of Wallace.
"I was impressed with Tommy’s overall perspective on life," Hamill said. "He incorporated sincerity, thoughtfulness and humor — three of Andy’s finest traits."
Tommy, who just completed sixth grade, received a standing ovation from students, teacher and parents when it was announced he had won the contest.
The Andy Wallace Foundation will pay the 2008-09 tuition for Tommy and his sister Haley, who will enter kindergarten at St. Christopher in September. The value of the award is $3,100.
Here is the text of Tommy’s essay:
I would like to think I am a good friend to others, just like Andy.
When I was little I had to go into the hospital on my third birthday. I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, which is a hereditary disease that affects the lungs. Since that day, I’ve been there about 75 times. When I was in kindergarten, I had to leave halfway through the year because I was in the hospital every other week. I had to say goodbye to all my friends that year. I think I had a lot of friends in that class because I was always nice to everyone. I always cared about other people’s feelings.
When I was in the hospital, I was lucky because I had so many nice and pretty nurses through the years. They would call me their boyfriend. My mom says they all fought over who would get me when they found out I was coming in. I think they would do that because I incorporate Catholicism when I talk to them. I never complained about what was happening to me because I knew God gave me this disease because he knows I’m strong and can handle all the needles, I.V.s and medicines. I had faith that God was doing this for a reason.
Now I’m 12 and it’s been two and a half years since I’ve been in the hospital. But now I think I know why God gave me this disease. I think God gave it to me so my little sister, who is five, didn’t have to have it. I’m a great big brother to her and I’m very careful that she never gets hurt. I teach her that God has a reason for everything he does, just like he had a reason for me. ••