On Sunday afternoon, ten graduating seniors from Broome County were awarded a total of $9,200 at the tenth annual Kenzee Jean Wheeler Memorial Scholarship ceremony, held at the Lighthouse Community Church.
About the Scholarship:
The Kenzee Jean Wheeler Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of Kenzee Jean Wheeler, who tragically passed away due to not being properly secured in her car seat. This scholarship not only assists students with their college expenses but also promotes awareness about child safety around motor vehicles.
Requirements and Impact:
To qualify for the scholarship, recipients had to create a project focused on promoting child safety in and around motor vehicles. The initiative is a heartfelt effort to prevent similar tragedies and to honor Kenzee’s memory.
Founder and Organizer Iva Jean Tennant expressed the profound impact of the scholarship:
Quote: “If we can prevent one family, just one family from going through the tragedy and the horror that we’ve gone through, this has all been worth it.”
Funding and Community Involvement:
The funds for the scholarship are raised through the redemption of bottles and cans. The scholarship program has fostered a sense of community and volunteerism among students.
Windsor student Ashlee Whritenour shared her experience:
Quote: “Iva and I became really close friends and I started being like hey let’s make this a weekly thing. I would come by for a few hours to help sort cans and bottles to get my community service hours done. Even when I passed my 50-hour mark, I would still come and help her.”
Legacy and Continuing Support:
Over the past decade, the Kenzee Jean Wheeler Memorial Scholarship has awarded more than $60,000 in scholarships to students in Broome County. This ongoing effort reflects a strong commitment to both education and child safety awareness, ensuring that Kenzee’s legacy continues to make a positive impact on the community.
The ceremony highlighted the importance of community support and the lasting impact of dedicated efforts to promote safety and education.
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