LEWISTON — Erin Beardsley of Windham is the first recipient of the Tasha Dunham Memorial Scholarship. Beardsley is a certified school psychological service provider at the Margaret Murphy Center for Children in Lewiston, as well as a student in the University of Southern Maine school psychology doctorate program.

The Tasha Dunham Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Tasha Dunham who lost her long battle with cancer in 2006. This scholarship was developed as a nonprofit organization with the purpose of offering financial assistance to students with the diagnosis of autism or other developmental disability who are pursuing a higher education, or any individual enrolled in an institute of post-secondary education to help such children.

Dunham was a developmental therapist at the Margaret Murphy Center for Children in Auburn, a private special purpose day treatment program for children with autism and developmental disabilities, as well as a student in the University of Southern Maine school psychology program.

Family and friends of the Tasha Dunham Memorial Scholarship have been working hard at developing a financial foundation to support the organization. Over the course of the last five years a variety of fundraising activities, such as benefit dinners and auctions, have been the focus of efforts.

Visit the website www.tashascholarship.com to learn more.