Mods, I've posted this in the anything room but would also like to post it here as well. Please feel free to remove it as it has nothing to do with politics, I'll understand.
Hello, it's been a while. Hope everyone is doing well.
As many of you know, my two year old daughter passed away back in November from brain cancer. We were holding fund raisers to raise money for her treatment. Something I didn't want to do because I'm not at all that way, but it was literally a matter of saving my daughter's life. Well the efforts on my part were in vein, but the efforts of the community in reaching out to help us were amazing.
The local paper ran an article on our daughter and our fund raising efforts. The local high school hockey coach was moved by our story and asked if he could set up a fund raising hockey game between the Detroit Red Wings alumni and the first ever assembled local high school alumni hockey team. I graciously agreed so the plans were set in motion.
After our daughter's passing, I asked that the coach not hold the game and to cancel any further fund raising efforts. He stated that the game was already scheduled and since it was nearly impossible to book the Red Wings alumni team he suggested that the game go on and the proceeds would be handed over to us to help pay for funeral and medical expenses. I agreed that the game should go on but refused to take a penny of the money raised but rather give it back to the community since the community was so generous to us (we were getting checks from people we've never met after the newspaper article was run).
So, we decided to set up a scholarship fund in honor of my daughter's name to be made available to graduating high school seniors. We figure we can raise $15,000 to $20,000 from this event. The money will be handled by an agency specializing in scholarship programs. Depending on the amount of money raised, we will set up this scholarship to be awarded on a yearly basis for however many years we can do it until the money runs out. My wife and I will get to decide the winner of the scholarship and present it at graduation.
Here's where you can help: We still haven't figured out what exactly to require of student applicants in order to win the scholarship. Our initial thoughts were to require so many hours of community service logged in the applicant's senior year, have a grade point of 3.0 or higher, and to write a paper on something... maybe why they want to go to college. Not sure. My brain is mush theses days so focusing on anything is tough.
Would it be better to award two scholarships per year of $1,500, or one at $3,000, or....???
Thanks for any help.
bob
__________________
We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a civilization, it expects what never was and what never will be.
Bob, welcome back. Wow,this is a tremendousthingyou're doing here. You'revery fortunate to have such great friends and neighbors. What a way to give back.
You're requirements are good and on par with similar scholarships I've read about, IMHO. The question whether to help two people or help one twice as much is a tough one. So much so that I think you're going to have to listen to yourheart. I can imagine many reasons foreitherplan. But maybe a higher scholarship award should come with a higher GPA, or more community service hours logged, etc.
My head is still spinning from the weight of your post. This is serious stuff and I know you want to do the most good on behalf of your daughter and your community. I suppose that if I had to make a decision like this, I'd look deeply into my community, at the high school kids, and see what they need most. What is it thatwill make the most positive impact, not just in college, but well beyond it?
Stay strong, Bob. Best wishes to you and your wife...
So glad to hear from you again. You and Amy have remained in my family's thoughts and prayers since November.
As a counselor for the past 11 years at Milford High I attend the honors ceremonies each year and am witness to the many local and memorial scholarships handed out. You can think about the requirements as being academic (GPA, # or honors classes) or based on financial need (family not having much in the way of personal funds) or even the case of a student or family having to overcome some obstacle or impediment (personal loss like a parent or family member or perhaps struggling with a personal illness or disability).
Or a combination of one, two, or all three of such criteria could be considered. I know that we have some scholarships that lean towards the personal-triumph-over-obstacles and those scholarships usually don't have quite as high a requirement academically (GPA might only need to be 2.5). And also some of these scholarship opportunities don't demand attendance at a college or university. The funds could also be eligible to those entering a trade school or other specialized training program "¦ even for those entering directly into the military. Some specify a certain field of study, like medicine, teaching, engineering, etc. There are many types of different opportunities that are offered. No matter which way you decide to go you cannot be wrong ... it's a great thing no matter what you decide. I know that since this scholarship will bear Ashleigh"™s name you want it to feel just right and worthy, so I know you will fret over it a bit to make sure it feels good to you and Amy. You will figure it out.
The decisions and options are many but if you'd like to discuss them here on the forum I'm sure you will hear many good suggestions. If you like you can call me or e-mail me and I'll try to get you a copy of my high schools local and memorial scholarship list including their criteria. PM me if you like.
It's a wonderful thing you're planning. God Bless.
John
PS, please let me know when the Red Wing / Alumni game is to be held, I'd love to attend and bring my family.
Need help setting up scholarship requirement
