UMass Gives Scholarships To Bullied Boy's Siblings

AMHERST (AP) -- The University of Massachusetts says it is offering full scholarships to the siblings of a Springfield boy who hanged himself in 2009 after incessant bullying at school.

UMass officials say they are honored to have a chance to help the family of Carl Walker-Hoover, who was 11 when he committed suicide. His mother, Sirdeaner Walker, has become an anti-bullying advocate and has testified before state and federal officials about the topic.

UMass says her other two children, 8-year-old Charles and 7-year-old Gloria, will be invited to attend any of its four campuses with their entire tuition, room, board and fees covered for four years.

Crews from ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" also have been rebuilding the family's home, which had significant structural problems and was more than 100 years old.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)