We are proud to announce Maci as the winner of our Personal Injury Scholarship this Fall. Our team was moved by Maci’s essay of determination towards her academic goals in the midst of recovery from a life-changing accident.
On February 11, 2025, Maci was a senior cheerleader and soccer player at Breese Mater Dei Catholic High School when her life changed forever. While driving home from a friend’s basketball game, her car crossed over and collided head-on with an ambulance at highway speeds. She was airlifted to SLU Hospital in St. Louis, where doctors worked through the night to stabilize her. Her injuries were so severe that her family was initially told she was not expected to survive the night.
Maci spent three days in a medical coma and suffered extensive injuries, including a lacerated kidney and colon, a ruptured spleen, liver lacerations, a broken neck and back, 14 broken ribs, broken clavicles and shoulder blades, shattered hips, a broken jaw and nose, and serious injuries to her lungs and heart. Several of her injuries required surgical repair.
During the most difficult days of her recovery, Maci’s family, friends, and community rallied around her through “Miracles for Maci.” What began as a local fundraiser grew as her story received national attention. Maci spent 51 days in the hospital and rehabilitation facility working to regain her strength and ability to perform everyday activities. Although she was told she might never walk again, she set her sights on three goals: returning to cheer, dancing at prom, and walking at her high school graduation. She accomplished all three.
Her recovery did not end when she left the hospital. Maci missed almost the entire second semester of her senior year and later faced additional hospitalizations and emergency room visits during her first year of college. She balanced school and athletics with physical therapy, doctors’ appointments, medical testing, and continuing complications from the accident. Despite earning some of the lowest grades she had ever received, she persevered and passed her classes. Her recovery continued with heart surgery to repair a hole in her heart, another clavicle surgery, and treatment for her jaw.
Through these challenges, Maci says she learned resilience, communication, time efficiency, and adaptability. She learned to advocate for herself, communicate with professors when she needs help, and balance the demanding responsibilities of school, athletics, medical appointments, and recovery.
Today, Maci continues her education while competitively cheering for her school and Platinum Athletics. Her accident also helped shape her future. After completing her education at Lindenwood, Maci plans to pursue a doctorate and become an emergency room physician, inspired by the medical professionals who saved her life that night.
Congratulations Maci!