The Summer Stahl Memorial Scholarship – Year 2

Last night, we were in the gymnasium at DeeMack High School for the awards night ceremony.   This is our new annual ritual with the scholarship.  It’s pretty great.  But, as you might imagine, it’s also full of every other emotion that a human can carry. 

This year’s award for the scholarship went to Rachel Paddock.  Her essay on the value of life experience, when coupled with education, hit all the right notes, and we were pleased with our selection.  It’s a bit daunting to select someone without ever meeting them.  You want to put a face to the name and have an idea of who they are.  (Her Mom did reach out to me on Facebook about Carthage College a week before the event, but I didn’t have an opportunity to “creep” the family photos! I also wanted to tell her that her daughter won the award, but had to stay quiet!)

We didn’t have to wait long to know who Rachel was.  She was part of an exclusive group of seniors who were called up for their outstanding performance in various educational departments.  Every time they called her name, we felt better and better about our selection.  While our scholarship is not based on grades or financial need…  It was nice to see someone who has worked very hard in High School get the award.

Science Teacher, Teresa Holly, read the scholarship presentation again this year.  She’s a saint.  If she said “no”, I would be forced to stand up there and cry as we present the certificate.  I lamented last year that our award is too wordy.  When I said this to Principal Mitch last year, he said, “Leave it alone, we need people to know more about the story behind the scholarships.”  So, I left it alone.  Teresa nailed it.  Regardless of presenting it myself or not… I was weeping.

After the ceremony, I stepped down the bleachers, trying to keep an eye on Rachel so we could congratulate her and get a picture.

She was surrounded by friends, and all the seniors were posing in front of the DeeMack photo background.  We waited a few minutes and then snuck up on her.

Rachel is super nice and was very appreciative.  We congratulated her and talked for a few minutes.  Inevitably, Aiden and Carthage came up.  A few minutes later, the rest of the family came by and we we talking about college and offering any support she might need about Kenosha and Carthage College.  We could have talked for an hour, but I knew they had lots of friends and family to spend time with.

We made our way out of the gym and headed home.  On the drive home, I felt a bit of melancholy.  A lump in my throat was evened out by the good feeling of knowing Rachel and her family appreciated the award.  (Beware, a future post from a very high horse in the theme of charity is coming soon.  It was almost this post, but I wanted to keep some focus!)

In the grand scheme of things, it’s a little consolation for the events of the last 3 years, but this award ceremony is one bright spot that gives us a moment to reflect.  I imagine this is how the family of an organ donor feels.  Summer lives on as part of someone else’s story.  It’s not much, but it all adds up.

Thanks again to everyone who donated and continues to think about Summer.

#sweetdreamsofsummer