Live Like Ella Memorial Scholarship

As a member of the class of 2025, Ella Bresee was a fun-loving girl who lived life to the fullest before losing her brave fight to medulloblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in September of 2022. Ella’s wonderful sense of humor, along with her beautiful smile could light up a room. Ella was a loyal friend who loved spending time with her close-knit group, who she knew she could count on. If she couldn’t find a good time, she was bound to start one on her own. 

Ella had a passion for basketball. She was a fierce competitor on the court and she always pushed herself to be the best player and teammate she could be. 

But, above all, Ella loved her family more than anything in this world. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. The way she used love and laughter to fight her diagnosis while protecting her family was awe-inspiring. She was a fighter in every sense of the word. Rarely did you know how badly she truly felt. Despite how sick she was from chemo and radiation treatments, she still fought through the pain and her smile shined bright through it all.

Ella’s spirit is best embodied in her own words…
“Yes cancer is bad but I have learned it’s better to have a positive outlook on it. You can be sad and say poor me, or you can choose to take charge and fight. Yeah, it’s the hardest fight you could ever image but you just have to smile and push through.”

“Being diagnosed with brain cancer at 14, obviously has changed me. Don’t hold grudges, life is way too short. Be grateful for the real friends you have. If they care, they will stay in contact. Be nicer to your parents and siblings, they’re always gonna be there for you. Don’t be afraid to do the things, life can be taken away from you just like that. Be grateful you can play the sport you love, a lot of people can’t. I am stronger than I could have ever imagined. My body has been through so much AND IT’S STILL BEAUTIFUL AND STRONG.”