Samantha Harker Named Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship Winner

SOUTHFIELD, MI – Nov. 1, 2023 – Buckfire Law is pleased to announce Samantha (Sammie) Harker, of Anaheim, Cali., has been named this year’s recipient of the 2023 Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship.

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. is committed to helping students reach their goals. Realizing the financial roadblock many students face in pursuit of higher education, the family-owned firm established a scholarship award in 2013 committed to helping students with disabilities or injuries in their pursuit of their degree.

Harker is pursuing her Ph. D. in Neuroscience at Arizona State University. She previously earned two bachelor’s degrees in 2022, from Arizona State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Harker was 15 years old when she memorized 1,294 digits of pi and gave a TEDx talk about it. She was also 15 when she was diagnosed with autism. She has dreams of being a neuroscientist and was supported through her position as a Starbucks under the Starbucks College Achievement Plan. She graduated from Arizona State University at age 18 and was the youngest individual ever selected as a Quad Fellow from Schmidt Futures.

While in undergrad, Harker served as the ASU Online Student Government’s Chief of Staff, where she wrote articles for the Organization of Autism Research, and mentored other neurodivergent ASU students. “My experiences have taught me that the support of mentors is pivotal in everyone’s educational journey, especially those of us with disabilities,” Harker said.

She continues her service as an advocate for her community. “Conducting autism research projects while being an autistic researcher allows me to resonate with those I am researching, and positively represent and advocate for my commonly misunderstood and misrepresented community,” Harker said.

“Sammie’s desire to continue her education and research to help her community is inspiring,” said Lawrence J. Buckfire, President and Lead Trial Attorney at Buckfire Law. “To have accomplished so much at such a young age is remarkable. I couldn’t be prouder to name her our Buckfire Law Disability Scholarship winner this year.”

Every year, Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. awards one student with the $1,000 Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship. The scholarship is available to a student of any age, with any type of disability, including but not limited to physical disabilities, medical conditions, mental or psychiatric conditions, speech and language, learning disabilities, behavioral conditions, and all other conditions.

For more information on the scholarship program, visit our page, buckfirelaw.com/scholarships/disability.

Founded in 1969, Buckfire & Buckfire P.C. recognizes that most people are stressed and overwhelmed after a serious injury or unexpected death and don’t know where to turn. Buckfire Law Firm provides superior legal representation and helps them from start to finish. Our clients receive fair compensation and get peace of mind. The firm offers four separate academic scholarships annually for students wanting to continue their education.