Catherine Cole receives top Society scholarship.

With talents ranging from science to soccer to photography, there doesn't seem to be anything that 18-year-old Catherine Cole has not tried and done well. She is the second recipient of the Mike Dugan Scholarship, a four-year award of $10,000.

"I liked all my high school subjects, including sports," Catherine said, adding, "Because my Mom has MS, I appreciate that I can enjoy my physical vitality."

Her teachers describe her as "conscientious, focused, and reflective." The qualities that make her such a successful student have seen her through difficult times at home. In 2005, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Then her father was also diagnosed with cancer and died last year, leaving Catherine with more responsibilities for her mother and her twin 11-year-old brothers.

Catherine will attend Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, which she chose because "there is a tradition of professors mentoring students. Plus, it snows there?" Though it's far from her home in San Francisco, she said "If I stayed at home, everyone would feel guilty. I know I will miss my mother and my brothers, but they are now old enough to help out more. We all agree that I should do what's best for my education."

Though she's not sure what her college major will be, Catherine has been drawn to neuroscience ever since she volunteered at an art studio for adults with developmental disabilities. "They created amazing art work that shed light on thoughts and emotions they could not express, she observed. 'Tm interested in how art can be used by people who are too cognitively impaired to express themselves. I'm not sure where this will lead me but with my interests in art and science, art therapy is a possibility."