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'Extreme' scholarship for new UWP student
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PLATTEVILLE - The family that received a new home from the crew and volunteers with the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" show in northwest Illinois this week got one more gift Friday.

University of Wisconsin-Platteville Chancellor Carol Sue Butts announced that an anonymous donor has offered a scholarship, to fund tuition for the 2009-2010 academic year, to UWP student Joey Stott. On Sept. 9, Stott and her family opened their front door to find ABC's Ty Pennington and camera crews from the ABC-TV show at their residence near Lena, Ill. The Stotts were selected to receive a new house - to be constructed within a week.

Over the past several years, the Stotts have faced numerous challenges, including Joey's diagnosis and successful treatment for leukemia and an electrical fire that nearly destroyed their 100-year old home. Despite these challenges, the Stotts persevered. In fact, Joey earned her associate degree at Highland Community College in Freeport this spring, graduating with high honors and receiving the college's Citizenship Award.

Now, Stott is in her initial semester at UWP, having enrolled to complete her bachelor's degree in education with an emphasis in science. In announcing the scholarship Friday, Dr. Butts noted, "Joey Stott is a Pioneer. She has faced hardship and found ways to move forward in the face of adversity. Her record of involvement in her community and with her college, as well as her commitment to serving as a role model for youth through teaching, were the motivations for this anonymous donation. We look forward to Joey's time as a student on our campus and to her involvement in the Pioneer community."