The Live Like Lou Foundation proudly announces its 2026 Iron Horse Scholarship recipients. Since the Foundation’s inception in 2018, 32 students have received the full Iron Horse Scholarship, valued at up to $17,040. The scholarship is awarded at $2,130 per semester for four years in honor of Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played streak of 2,130, as well as his iconic retired New York Yankees jersey number.
The Iron Horse Scholarship Selection Committee, led by Live Like Lou board vice chair Greyson Geiler, reviewed applications from a highly competitive pool of more than 100 applicants across North America. The selection process began in March, culminating in the selection of four Iron Horse Scholars and 52 additional students receiving one-time Onward Awards ranging from $250 to $2,130.
The Iron Horse Scholarship supports dependents of those affected by ALS as they pursue higher education while carrying forward a mission of hope, service, and impact. This year’s recipients, Mason Steuber, Piper Latimer, Allison Funk, and Addison Toney, each share deeply personal connections to Lou Gehrig’s disease and inspiring visions for their futures.
Mason Steuber, a freshman at Penn State University, discovered healing through music after losing his father, William, to ALS in 2024. What began as a way to comfort his dad became a lifelong passion. Mason now plans to study music and education, with the goal of becoming a teacher and eventually launching a foundation that uses music to support families affected by Lou Gehrig’s disease. He continues to give back by playing guitar for local ALS support groups, transforming loss into connection and joy.
If Mason had $10 million to support the ALS community, he said he would make sidewalks fully accessible. “There have been countless times where we would be in small towns or even big cities trying to navigate with my dad's wheelchair and there would be rampless curbs, cracks and uneven pavement…It was so frustrating for my dad and made being out in the world impossible at times.”
Piper Latimer, a student at Tamalpais High School, lost her father, Warren, just months after his ALS diagnosis in 2023. Through her grief, Piper found purpose in creativity and advocacy. She plans to pursue a degree in graphic design and hopes to one day work for Disney Pixar, creating art that brings light to others. Piper has already made a meaningful impact in her school community by improving grief support resources for students, ensuring others don’t have to navigate loss alone.
“If I had $10 million, I would use it to support the caregivers of those with an ALS diagnosis. As a caregiver for my own father at age 15, I watched and felt the weight that taking care of him from beginning to tragic end took on my family and me,” said Piper. “These traumatic memories can be and are embedded in the minds of those who have supported a loved one. I want to support systems that provide respite for those who have suffered this challenge. I want to support normalizing recovery care for all those involved pre- and post-passing.”
Allison Funk, a senior at Hamilton Southeastern High School, will attend Belmont University this fall. After her father’s ALS diagnosis in 2024, Allison stepped into the role of caregiver—an experience that shaped her passion for storytelling and connection. She plans to study Media and Entertainment Industries and use her platform to raise awareness for ALS and amplify meaningful stories. She is also training her dog to become a certified therapy dog to support individuals and families in need.
“People often remember Lou Gehrig for the gratitude he expressed during his farewell speech, calling himself 'the luckiest man on the face of the earth,' but he was also known for his humility,” said Piper. “Even while battling ALS, he never sought sympathy or praise and continued to recognize and uplift others rather than himself. Watching my dad face ALS has helped me understand humility in a deeper way. It's not about recognition or praise. It is about quietly showing up for others and doing what needs to be done. Whether it's washing a tablecloth, helping a teammate, or caring for my dad, I try to live that lesson every day.”
Addison Toney, a senior at Lee’s Summit North High School, spent much of her life alongside her father Aaron’s ALS journey following his diagnosis in 2013. After his passing in April 2025, Addison has channeled her experiences into a calling to serve others. She plans to attend Missouri State University and pursue a career as a physician assistant, inspired by both her caregiving experience and the medical professionals who supported her family.
“I once asked my dad how he was so optimistic and why God would put us in this predicament. His response to me was because God wanted our family to show and lead others to the Lord. By overcoming this challenge as a family, we are proving to others that it is possible to have faith in the Lord while facing adversity,” said Addison. “After hearing my dad's genuine words, I found purpose in all of our hard work. Battling ALS had its obstacles, but with our faith, we lived and live with kindness in our hearts and motivation to live life to the fullest and to help others facing similar challenges.”
Live Like Lou’s founder, Neil Alexander, saw the word "onward" as a symbol of strength and determination in the face of ALS. It represents the commitment to keep moving forward each day while believing in a future without the disease. Today, "onward" remains a powerful message shared by the Live Like Lou community and its volunteers in support of ALS families. In recognition of the outstanding accomplishments of our 2025 Iron Horse Scholarship finalists, Live Like Lou was pleased to fund additional one-time Onward Awards to the following students in ALS families.
Caroline Wooddell | Point Loma Nazarene University | Psychology
Caroline’s dad, William, was diagnosed in 2024.
Quentin Pezzolesi | University of Utah | Finance
Quentin’s mom, Melissa, was diagnosed in 2025.
Bailey Goldstein | Case Western Reserve University | Biology
Bailey’s dad, David, was diagnosed in 2023.
Carley Dailey | James Madison University | Biology
Carley’s dad, William, was diagnosed in 2022.
Adam Mackenney | West Boca Raton High School | Plans to major in animation
Adam’s mom, Magaly, was diagnosed in 2025 and passed away in November 2025.
Tighlie Steuber | Pennsylvania State University | Kinesiology
Tighlie’s dad, William, was diagnosed in 2019 and passed away in 2024.
Jack Weisel | University of Wisconsin–Madison | Industrial and Systems Engineering
Jack’s dad, Mark, was diagnosed in 2024.
Caitlin Loughran | Miramonte High School | Plans to pursue hands-on patient care for fatal illnesses
Caitlin’s dad, Sean, was diagnosed in 2024 and passed away in August 2025.
Zahara Wright | Northwest Mississippi Community College | Psychology
Zahara’s mom, Regina, was diagnosed in 2021.
Cade Wiger | Lewis & Clark | Law
Cade’s dad, Ronnie, was diagnosed in 2020 and passed away in August 2025.
Reagan Olivier | Des Moines University | Osteopathic Medicine
Reagan’s dad, Jerry, was diagnosed in 2019 and passed away in November 2022.
John Fincher | Georgia Institute of Technology | Mechanical Engineering
John’s dad, Ron, was diagnosed in 2025.
Ian Olivier | Augustana University | Biology and Spanish
Ian’s dad, Jerry, was diagnosed in 2019 and passed away in November 2022.
Grayson Galentine | Cumberland University | Business Administration
Grayson’s dad, Bryan, was diagnosed in 2016 and passed away in October 2020.
Cameron Storm | Rochester Institute of Technology | Mechanical Engineering
Cameron’s dad, Jeff, was diagnosed in 2018 and passed away in November 2021.
Zoe Champion | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Zoe’s dad, Robert, was diagnosed in 2021.
Aubrey Daehler | University of Iowa | Business/Marketing
Aubrey’s dad, William, was diagnosed in 2020 and passed away in January 2023.
Ashley Kostrzeski | Undecided | Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
Ashley’s mom, Lisa, was diagnosed in 2023.
Kyra Dixon | Kent State University | Zoology
Kyra’s dad, Brian, was diagnosed in 2025.
Reilly McKenna | University of Massachusetts Amherst | History
Reilly’s mom, LuAnn, was diagnosed in 2020.
Adam Miller | University of Dayton School of Law | Finance (Undergraduate)
Adam’s dad, Jeffrey, was diagnosed in 2023 and passed away in January 2024.
Priya Mukhi | George Washington University | School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Priya’s grandmother, Savita, was diagnosed in 2024.
Aman Patel | Auburn University | Pre-Business
Aman’s dad, Jigesh, was diagnosed in 2025.
Joseph Healing | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Homeland Security and Intelligence
Joseph’s mom, Janet, was diagnosed in 2024.
Kathryn Cunningham | Watts College of Nursing
Kathryn’s dad, James, was diagnosed in 2025.
Chloe Butler | Wharton County Junior College | Radiologic Technology
Chloe’s dad, Scott, was diagnosed in 2023.
Darby Moore | West Virginia University | Exercise Physiology
Darby’s mom was diagnosed in 2024.
Sophia Musselman | Auburn University | Psychology
Sophia’s dad was diagnosed in 2011 and passed away in January 2026.
Kenetra Hinkins | Southern New Hampshire University | Public Health
Kenetra’s mom, Stephanie, was diagnosed in 2022 and passed away in March 2025.
Blake Foster | University of Oklahoma | Broadcast Journalism
Blake’s grandfather, Bill, was diagnosed in 2022 and passed away in March 2022.
David Casias | University of Northern Colorado | Meteorology
David’s mom, Julia, was diagnosed in 2023.
Arianna Viale | Michigan State University | Interior Design
Arianna’s mom, Alessandro, was diagnosed in 2025.
Sonya Yang | Brown University | Public Health
Sonya’s dad, Yi, was diagnosed in 2023.
Audrey Wurm | Granville High School | Elementary Education
Audrey’s dad, Andrew, was diagnosed in 2022.
Ela Jagutis | Emsley A. Laney High School | Business
Ela’s dad, Jared, was diagnosed in 2022.
Eleni Nikolakakos | Florida State University | Human Development
Eleni’s dad, Pete, was diagnosed in 2023.
Camryn Smith | Virginia Commonwealth University | Health Services
Camryn’s great-grandfather was diagnosed in 2025.
Alina Price | College for Creative Studies | Art
Alina’s dad, Todd, was diagnosed in 2022 and passed away in September 2025.
Charley Hilario | Western Washington University | Marine and Coastal Sciences
Charley’s mom, Micah, was diagnosed in 2010 and passed away in April 2020.
Aaditya Haridas | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Electrical Engineering
Aaditya’s mom, Suja, was diagnosed in 2024.
Avery Pezzolesi | University of Utah | Economics
Avery’s mom, Melissa, was diagnosed in 2025.
Juan Mendoza | University of Texas at Dallas | Marketing
Juan’s dad, Tulio, was diagnosed in 2025.
Ariel Goode | University of Alabama | Sports Management
Ariel’s dad, Kerry, was diagnosed in 2015.
Lucas Moore | Stephen F. Austin State University | Aviation Science
Lucas’s mom, Mara, was diagnosed in 2024.
Peyton Duffield | Colorado State University | Biology Education
Peyton’s stepfather, Matthew, was diagnosed in 2015.
Morgan Trent | Grand Canyon University | Mechanical Engineering
Morgan’s dad, Kenneth, was diagnosed in 2021.
Ashton Kalpakoff | California Baptist University | Computer Science
Ashton’s dad, Shaun, was diagnosed in 2017 and passed away in September 2024.
Kennedy Fox | Colorado Mesa University | Exercise Science
Kennedy’s dad, Cory, was diagnosed in 2021 and passed away in September 2024.
Thomas Worby | Seattle Pacific University | Nursing
Thomas’s mom, Michelle, was diagnosed in 2019 and passed away in February 2023.
Vincent Recker | University of Northern Iowa | Finance
Vincent’s mom, Vicki, was diagnosed in 2022.
Jillian Prince | California Baptist University | Nursing
Jillian’s dad, Brett, was diagnosed in 2024.
Tamera Carter | Franklin University | Education
Tamera’s dad, Clint, was diagnosed in 2021.
