2026 Children of WunderGlo Scholarship Recipients
The 2026 Children of WunderGlo Scholarship Recipients- View their Thank You Collaboration Film – Click Here
In our ninth year of “The Children of WunderGlo Scholarship Program”, our 2026 student applicants inspired us with their focused dedication, resilience and personal goals of bringing good-will to this world. The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation once again made the decision to step outside of our “scope” by awarding a total of Six (6) WunderGlo Scholarships to this year’s outstanding young men and women who graduated high school this year. Our 2026 scholarship recipients are six (6) students who lost their father to colon cancer when they were ages 2-16.
WunderGlo awarded Three (3) $4,000 Scholarships, and Three (3) Recognition Scholarships in the amount of $1,000.00.
We are beyond grateful to the family of Deborah Rachel Goldberg for their financial support to our WunderGlo Scholarship program this year, which increased our 2026 monetary award budget by $7,000 with their generous donation.
The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation is extremely proud to announce that this year’s 2026 WunderGlo Scholarships have been awarded to Six (6) outstanding students from • Kenmore, New York • Gridley, Illinois • Havertown, Pennsylvania • Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey • Attleboro, Massachusetts • Williamston, Michigan.
Our scholarship recipients are three young men and three young women who are attending: • Rochester Institute of Technology • University of Missouri – Coumbia • Kutztown University of Pennsylvania • Northwest Lineman College • Cornell University • Michigan State University
The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation’s Annual Scholarships enhance the lives of young men and women throughout the country. Our hopes are that these remarkable young adults will always remember that The WunderGlo Foundation cares about what they have been through, and we will always remember them. These are “The Children of WunderGlo”.
Jack Lipowski – 2026 Recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation Scholarship – in Memory of Jim Gainey
Jack Lipowski is an intelligent, compassionate and dedicated young man who is attending Rochester Institute of Technology.
“I am so incredibly honored and grateful to be selected as a recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation’s 2026 Scholarship. Receiving this $4,000 award is a profound milestone for me as I take my next steps toward the Computing Exploration program at Rochester Institute of Technology. This scholarship holds an incredibly special place in my heart because it recognizes the profound impact of losing my beloved father to colon cancer. To honor my father’s life, which was taken far too soon (at age 36), I focus on moving forward with the same tenacity he had.
I am not just a student seeking a degree – I am a son carrying forward a legacy of resilience and aiming to make a lasting, positive impact on the world. To be lifted up by an organization that fights so tirelessly for a cure, and cares so deeply about the future of students who have walked this path, means more to me than I could ever put into words. Your dedication to funding research and supporting families across the country is truly inspiring. I am proud to carry forward the strength and memory of my father as part of The WunderGlo family.” – Jack Lipowski
Congratulations, Jack! The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation is proud to have chosen you to receive our top scholarship. You are an amazing young man who is brilliant beyond words. There is no doubt that you will accomplish all of your goals. We know that your dad is incredibly proud of you. We wish you great success at Rochester Institute of Technology and throughout your incredible life ahead. Please view his individual Thank You video – Click here
Hannah Kurz – 2026 Recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation Scholarship – in Memory of Jim Gainey
Hannah is a amazing, responsible and incredible young woman who is attending University of Missouri- Columbia.
“Losing my dad to Stage IV colon cancer is the reason I chose to pursue a career in biological sciences, and one day I hope to become a physician-scientist dedicated to finding better treatments and giving families more hope. My dad taught me to work hard, be kind, and show the love of Jesus, and those words continue to guide me in everything I do. Gloria Borges’ decision to turn her own cancer journey into a legacy of hope is very inspiring. Because of her vision, and because of the generosity of everyone who supports WunderGlo, I have been given encouragement to pursue the calling that grew out of one of the hardest experiences of my life.
Knowing that The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation is willing to invest in students like me is incredibly meaningful. It reminds me that there are people who believe in this mission and are willing to support those of us who want to carry it forward. Thank you for believing in me and for the incredible honor of receiving this $4,000 scholarship. As I begin my studies at the University of Missouri, your generosity encourages me to honor my dad’s memory by working toward a future where we have more weapons to fight against cancer.” – Hannah Kurz
Congratulations, Hannah! You are a such a resilient young woman whose future is so bright. Everyone at The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation is extremely proud to have selected you to receive our top Scholarship. We wish you nothing but success at University of Missouri-Columbia. Please watch her individual thank you video – Click here
Rylie Piontkowski – 2026 Recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation Scholarship – in Memory of Jim Gainey
Rylie Piontkowski is a kind and determined young woman who is attending Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
“My dad was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer when I was in Kindergarten. Since I was so young, all of my memories of him include cancer. He battled for 3 years and through it all, he kept his sense of humor, his adventurous spirit, his compassion and his hope for a cure. He was my best friend and without him I felt lost. Luckily for me that year, I had an incredible teacher who gave me a sense of normalcy when everything around me was uncertain. I knew that when I was in his classroom, I wasn’t the girl whose dad just died, I was simply, Rylie, his student.
A future without cancer would make me feel relieved as well as sad, that a cure did not happen soon enough to save my dad. It would be incredible to have a world where no little girls grow up losing someone they love to cancer or feel left out at daddy-daughter dances. To know that The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation is funding cancer research and treatments as well as supporting the education of students whose lives have been impacted by colon cancer, shows that there is goodness in the world and hope for a cancer free future.
I am forever grateful to The WunderGlo Foundation, not only will the financial support ease the burden of my college tuition but the honor of receiving this scholarship will give me confidence as I begin this next chapter in my life. I am thankful for the support in pursuing my dream of being an elementary school teacher, which will allow me to make an impact on the lives of children, just like my teachers made an impact on me.” – Rylie Piontkowski
Congratulations, Rylie! You are an outstanding young woman! The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation proudly honors your achievements with our top scholarship. We wish you the very best at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and in all that you pursue in your promising life ahead! Please watch her individual thank you video – Click here
Brandon Bagnall – 2026 Recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation “Recognition Award” Scholarship – in Memory of Jim Gainey
Brandon Bagnall is a brilliant, caring, and dedicated young man who is attending Northwest Lineman College.
“Losing my dad to colon cancer when I was ten years old changed my life forever and forced me to grow up quickly. He was a hardworking mason who took pride in providing for our family and teaching me the value of hard work. When he passed away, I lost not only my father but also the most stable and supportive person in my life. Even though I was young, the lessons he taught me have stayed with me and continue to guide me every day.
I am pursuing lineman school because I want to build a stable, meaningful career doing work that truly matters. Electrical linemen play an essential role in keeping communities running, often working long hours in difficult conditions to make sure others are safe and comfortable. I want to be someone people can depend on, just like my dad was someone others could depend on. Cancer took my dad far too soon, and no family should have to experience that loss. The idea of one day ending colorectal cancer means that fewer kids will have to grow up without a parent. It gives me hope to know that organizations like The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation are working toward that goal while also supporting students like me.
Thank you so much for awarding me this scholarship. I am truly honored and grateful to be a recipient. Colon cancer has had a great impact on my life, and I deeply appreciate that you are dedicated to helping students overcome obstacles and pursue their goals. This scholarship will help me take an important step toward fulfilling my goal of becoming a lineman by attending Northwest Lineman College. Your generosity and support mean so much to me, and I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of students like me.” – Brandon Bagnall
Congratulations, Brandon! You are truly an amazing young man who will be successful in all that you pursue. Always know that all of us at The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation are sincerely honored to play this role in your incredible life and we are so very proud of you. Your beloved father is surely beaming with pride in the passion you hold in your heart. We wish you every joy and success at Northwest Lineman College and onward. Please watch his individual thank you video – Click here
Lauren Decoste – 2026 Recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation “Recognition Award” Scholarship – in Memory of Jim Gainey
Lauren Decoste is an amazing, spirited and motivated young woman who is attending Cornell University.
“Cancer stripped away any “normalcy” and made peer relationships difficult. Most people are recognized for what they have; I was known for what I lacked. The day of my father’s death was my loneliest moment; isolation followed. I felt fractured and ‘different’. Not having a father became my defining characteristic. I was a natural working with animals and became recognized for something I had rather than something I lacked. Animals didn’t treat me differently for not having a “normal” family or skipping Father’s Day. Animals were a major part of my healing and what started as a comfort transformed into my calling. My father’s loss motivates me to take risks and achieve my goals in his honor. He never wanted cancer to define his life and I’m determined that cancer will not define mine. Thank you for your amazing generosity and support as I work hard toward a successful career in Animal Nutrition.
It is both a privilege and an honor to receive The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation’s Recognition Award Scholarship, which will have a profound impact on my academic journey. By easing my financial burdens, this scholarship will allow me to focus more effectively on the demanding Animal Science course work at Cornell University. Your recognition and asisstance aids my ability to pursue a prestigious Ivy League education. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to represent such an incredible and meaningful organization and I hope to one day give back to help other aspiring students to achieve their dreams.” – Lauren DeCoste
Congratulations, Lauren! You are an impressive young woman with unyielding strength and determination. We are certain that you make your father so proud. Everyone at The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation knows that you will excel in all that you choose to pursue. We are honored to award you with our scholarship and wish you every success and happiness at Cornell University and throughout your beautiful life. Please watch her individual thank you video – Click here
Jackson Harlan – 2026 Recipient of The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation “Recognition Award” Scholarship – in Memory of Jim Gainey
Jackson Harlan is a caring, intelligent, and considerate young man who is attending Michigan State University.
“My dad was one of the most passionate people I knew; he spent his time dedicated to what he loved. He prided himself in his work, had more hobbies than anyone I know, and above all, he loved his family. I honor him by embodying his mindset of being passionate and driven, committing myself to everything I do. I want to work the hardest, even if I am not the best, and through this I have gained so many opportunities and experiences I otherwise never would have had. I am extremely passionate about the ending of cancer. Although I would not be the person I am today without my dad’s passing from cancer, I do not wish anyone else to endure the challenges I have faced.
The WunderGlo Foundation caring to support students who have persevered through the challenges associated with cancer is very encouraging to me. I am so grateful for this scholarship! I am also excited to attend Michigan State University and work towards my goal of a career in healthcare. I hope to help others going through what my father did in the medical field. I really appreciate the work The WunderGlo Foundation is doing for families affected by cancer. Cancer has changed my life and many others, so it is amazing to see such a community grow out of such a hard struggle. Thank you again for all that you do!”– Jackson Harlan
Congratulations, Jackson! You are such a special young man who is destined to make an impact in this world. Everyone at The Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation is extremely proud to have chosen you to receive one of our scholarships. We wish you happiness and success at Michigan State University -and throughout your incredible life to come – you deserve it all! Please watch his individual thank you vide0 – Click here
We Congratulate all our 2026 Children of WunderGlo Scholarship Recipients!!!
