UW-Madison 2026 Scholarship Recipients

The TACLF is proud to award four very deserving students a $2400 scholarship be to use during the 2026-27 academic school year. The criteria is based on academics,  leadership, giving back to the community and overcoming adversity.

The 2026 scholarship recipients are as follows:

• Sophie Hasonahri

• Jared Gutman

• Abigail Brothers

• Landon Keller

  
  

We also asked each student what the award meant to them:

Sophie

The following is what this scholarship means to me:

First, I just want to start by saying how much I appreciate this award. After reading about Thomas’s story, it truly moved me to apply. In 2020, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it affected my family in ways I could have never anticipated. My mother since then recovered but I can’t help but share her story and how it made me grow stronger as a person and made us stronger as a family. This award means a lot to me because it represents strength and resilience in the face of difficult times. Watching my mom battle cancer showed me the importance of courage and perseverance. Receiving an award in memory of someone who demonstrated the same qualities as my mother is truly an honor. I am grateful to carry forward the message of courage that this award represents, thank you.

Landon:

Receiving this scholarship has been and will be helpful in more ways than one. First, it will be an incredible help, assisting me with tuition for my education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. But before this, it has truly helped me reflect on what I have been able to experience in my life and travels along with how I can never take anything for granted. I'm extremely humbled to receive this scholarship in honor of Thomas A Costello.

Abigail:

I am incredibly honored to receive the Thomas A. Costello Character & Courage Award. Reading about Tommy’s story really inspired me. I connected with how he kept a positive attitude during his battle with cancer and chemo. Staying positive during tough times is something I also value, especially last summer when I went through spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis.

Tommy’s drive inspires me to keep pushing through hard things, stay involved on campus, and explore the world. This scholarship will help fund my semester abroad in Paris in the spring, where I’ll be completing my French certificate. Knowing how much Tommy loved his time abroad makes me even more excited to get out of my comfort zone in Paris, experience a new culture, and bring that energy back to campus. Thank you so much to Tommy’s family and the foundation for supporting my journey!

Jared Gutman:

Learning about Thomas and the values that defined his life was one of the most meaningful parts of this process. What inspires me most about Thomas is his ability to balance excellence and empathy while always making others feel valued. I am grateful for this honor and for the opportunity to carry forward Thomas's legacy. I do not take this recognition lightly, and I will continue to work hard, step outside my comfort zone, support those around me, and pursue my goals while carrying Thomas's example with me. When I study abroad in Rome next spring, I will visit the Vatican in Thomas's memory and reflect on the values that defined his life.