Resilience Scholarship Award
Georgia-based personal injury law firm Litner + Deganian has spent decades supporting people during their most challenging times, seeing firsthand how grit, determination, and resilience can shape a person’s life for the better.
That’s why we’re excited to help those who have overcome adversity to achieve their academic goals. The Litner + Deganian Resilience Scholarship Award is given out annually to two deserving recipients. The first-place winner receives $1,500, and the second-place winner receives $1,000. Inspired by L+D attorney Paige Wheeler, who sustained — and survived — a traumatic brain injury during her final semester of high school, this scholarship award supports students on their educational path forward.
Please review the Terms & Conditions for full eligibility details.
Each year, the Resilience Scholarship Award recognizes students who’ve turned personal trials into powerful motivators, proving that strength is often born from the most difficult circumstances. This year, we were honored to celebrate two incredibly remarkable individuals whose stories remind us of the courage it takes to persevere, the grace required to grow, and the determination needed to rise — again and again.
Our first recipient, Lily Harkey, has spent her life learning how to meet devastating news with grace. She lost her mother at a young age and faced another frightening family health crisis just last year. Through it all, Lily developed what she calls equanimity: the ability to stay grounded in moments that would break most people. That steadiness has defined her. She finished her freshman year at the University of Georgia with a 4.0 GPA, earned the Students Without Mothers Scholarship, was elected Treasurer of Rescue Paws UGA, and is an active member of Women in Business. She's currently applying to the Terry College of Business, with plans to study finance and pursue a Spanish minor, including a study abroad experience in Spain. Lily's story isn't just one of survival — it's one of showing up fully, even when life gives you every reason not to.
Our second recipient, Brian Davis, knows firsthand how quickly a life can change and what it takes to rebuild one. At thirteen, a serious bike accident left him with a traumatic brain injury that required months of recovery and ultimately meant walking away from the sports he loved. Rather than retreating, Brian redirected. He began volunteering with an inclusive sports program, serving as a buddy for young athletes with disabilities, and balanced school and work while contributing financially to his family. This fall, Brian heads to Georgia Southern to pursue a degree in Finance, with the goal of attending law school and one day helping families navigate the financial uncertainty that follows a medical crisis. He knows that uncertainty well, and he's decided to make something meaningful from it.
