2012 Scholarship Recipient Stories

(Scholarships awarded)

• Jessica T. of Tallahassee, whose mother was killed and the crime remains unsolved attends Florida State University. Jessica is an only child and sole survivor. Through assistance and guidance from FSU Victim Advocate, Melissa Ashton, Jessica has been connected with community resources.

o Her scholarship is given in memory of, Pat Reed who was killed on March 23, 1998, by a young man who she had agreed to try and help with his addiction. Her son Christopher Reed was 6 years old and was also killed. Pat’s mother, Agnes Fury believes that the combination of rage from an early age and crack cocaine contributed to this tragedy. Agnes is committed to trying to make a difference in the lives of very young men and boys, as well as incarcerated men in an attempt to reduce the level of violence that changes so many lives.

• Ashley J. of Pennsylvania, who lost her brother, Brian, attends Virginia State University. This is the 4th years Ashley has received a scholarship and she will graduate next year. Ashley works two jobs and mentors at risk girls.

o Ashley’s scholarship is given in memory of Tammy Shields of Fort Walton Beach who tragically lost her life on June 26, 2011. Tammy loved to travel and in her 34 brief years visited Korea, Germany, Holland, France, England, the Caribbean and New York.

• Ms. Alexandra T. of California, who lost her father, Richard, to workplace violence is attending University of the Pacific. Alexandra is a sophomore this year and it is the second year she has received the scholarship. Alexandra quilts and has donated one of her quilts for the next Foundation Charity Event.
  

o Her scholarship is given in memory Mr. Fred Parker, Tallahassee attorney, who was known for his love of music and an accomplished pianist, was also a civic leader, his activities included serving two terms as president of the LeMoyne Art Foundation and serving on the board of the Tallahassee Symphony. Mr. Parker’s life was taken on March 8, 2004. His wife Edna has been involved with the Big Bend Victim Assistance Coalition Victim’s Right Week tribute.

• Ms. Taryn of Arkansas whose sister, Megan, was abducted at age 6 in 1995. Taryn will be attending John Brown University.

o Taryn’s scholarship is given in memory of my friend Elise Geise who was abducted in Atlanta, Georgia in 1989 a week before her wedding.

• Ms. Megan M. of New Mexico, who lost her brother, Anthony, will be attending New Mexico State University.

o Megan’s scholarship is given in memory of, Dr. Paul S. Jarrett, M.D., who was killed on July 16, 2003 in Miami. Aleta Cortinas, his daughter, is a nurse and lives in Tallahassee. She is an active member of the Big Bend Victim Assistance Coalition who helps local crime victims.

• Ms. Ryenne S., who lost her brother, Jami, to homicide on May 11, 2003, will be attending Savannah College for Arts & Design.

o Ryenne’s scholarship is given in memory of Mr. Gregg A. Jarrett, R.N., who was killed July 16, 2003 in Miami, FL. Aleta Cortinas, sister of Gregg Jarrett, who is a nurse and lives in Tallahassee, attended the 2011 POMC conference to become more involved in understanding sibling grief.

• Ms. Amber K. of Texas lost her father last year when he was robbed at the family’s new business that was just getting ready to open, leaving Amber, her 2 brothers and mother.

o Amber’s scholarship is given in memory of Mr. Dan Levey, Director of the Office of Victims of Crime for the Arizona Attorney General Office. His brother, Howard, was murdered in Phoenix by assailants as he was waiting for his friends to show up for their weekly basketball game. Dan is the 2008 recipient of the Peyton Tuthill Award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the Interstate Compact, and the 2007 recipient of the U.S. Attorney General’s Ronald W. Reagan Public Policy Award, which honors individuals whose leadership, vision, and innovation have led to significant changes in public policy and practice that benefit crime.

 2010 Scholarship Recipient Stories

Ashley from Pennsylvania sadly lost her brother 2 years ago who was shot in gang cross fire of a gang he had left and her family has struggled to recover ever since. She is attending school in Virginia. Ashley mentors young girls step team who are growing up in the inner city with no positive role models.  She hopes to be a positive influence on them.

• Ms. Tuthill I am eternally grateful, forever in your debt, how can I ever repay you?"

Eliseo goes to school in California.His family owned a neighborhood grocery in the Bronx and at the age of 4 his father was robbed and murdered outside the family grocery store and eventually abandoned by his mother as she struggled to survive.

• "The scholarship has helped me stabilize my living situation,be consistent with my grades and serve as the AmeriCorps Service Club President. 

Lauren lives in Ohio and her young life drastically changed on Feb. 3rd at bedtime, when the family received a call from the Phoenix police to say her father had been murdered as he was carjacked.  He was starting a new job as international booking director for the Harlem Globetrotters. 

• This was the saddest day in my life and this doesn't happen in real life to good people like my Dad.  Something inside all of us was killed.  One of Lauren's favorite quotes is from Mother Theresa, "Death ins not the most tragic loss in life.  The most tragic loss is what dies inside you while you are still alive."from Ohio tragically lost her father 2 years ago in Arizona while he was on a business trip and carjacked and is  student at a Ohio university 

Alexandra from California  woke up as usual to get ready for school, but later that day she was removed from class to be told by the vice principal and her mother that her father killed at work by and angry ex-employee.

• "I have had to accept his absence would effect the rest of my life and he would not walk me down the to alter to give me a way."

Samantha  from Pennsylvania  attends school in Maryland and became a co-victim when she lost her mother in a domestic violence tragedy.  "My mom was the strongest woman I've ever met. She taught me a lot of life, especially the importance of education since she never went to college and led her to depend on my step-father who abused her.  She finally saved enough money to leave, but he killed her the night before and may live has never been the same without her love and encouragement everyday."

Each of the  young victims knows the pain of losing their family to violent crime.  They are a light for others as they face their grief by reaching and mentor other young people.

Memorial to other young victims who tragically lost their life......

Joseph Tanner  *   Michele Herndon  *  Renee Olmblu Rondeau * Daughter of Ms. Sylvonia Banks