The first annual Matt Schmidt Kindness Scholarship presentation through Young Life was awarded to Gabe Vasquez from the Schmidt family.
Gabe wrote a beautiful essay about how he has seen kindness from a Young Life leader and plans on paying that kindness forward. In Gabe's essay, he stated: "Kindness is a gift God intended for every human to experience in their lifetime."
Matt Schmidt
The inspiration for the scholarship is Matt Schmidt. Matt was a 2008 graduate of Green Bay Southwest High School and attended UW Stout before coming back to live in Green Bay.
In his element, you could find Matt hanging out with friends and family, running, fishing, golfing, watching the Packers, picking on his younger siblings, hunting, boating, listening to music, grilling out juicy steaks and hanging out in Door County. Although those things were significant in his life, Matt had a true passion to serve the youth in the community through the organization, Young Life. During his last two years, Matts work schedule made it difficult to participate as much as he would have liked, but he still found time to head to camp to be a counselor, participate in the annual Young Life Glow Run, and set up a curling event for the organization.
Everyone who had the pleasure to meet Matt during his short life knew he had a big heart. He was always there for anyone at any time, and was quick to give them everything he had. He was one to always give, and never to take. Matt radiated kindness wherever he went, having the ability to step in and help in any situation. As his final act of kindness here on Earth, Matt donated his organs so that six people could continue his legacy.
Matt’s family wanted to honor him and help a young man or women on their educational journey. The Matt Kindness Scholarship will be presented annually to a Young Life Student who exemplifies the legacy Matt left here on earth.
