Scholarships presented in Nidzica, Poland

Thanks to our sponsors, 7 students received a life-changing scholarship in Nidzica, Poland on September 26, 2008. The Casey Cuene family, the Robert Nueske Family, Dr. Michael and Susan Smullen and the Weyers Family Foundation, along with the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation make this possible annually. Brian’s Foundation has worked with Nidzica Community Foundation in Poland since 2003.

Each scholarship recipient is awarded $500, along with a specially designed engraved Scholarship of Honor Medal. The inscription on the back includes the name of the recipient along with the saying:

With commitment your strength will endure
With compassion you’ll share understanding
And through knowledge, the world will be a more peaceful place.

The pure white ribbon holds the medal close to your heart, signifying our common bond, the international symbol of peace.

The photo features our 2008 Scholarship recipients (left to right): Andrzej Zawieska (Nidzica Community Foundation), Grzegorz Bruzdziak, Jakub Piasecki, Mr Tadeusz Hinc (Community businessman), Jakub Siedlecki, Bartosz Karla, Joanna Pfajfer and Ewelina Stepien. Anna Moszczynska (photo on left) also received the scholarship at an earlier date.

"First Tee" Scholarship Recipient Heads for College

Five years ago, Brian Summerfield, received our $1000 First Tee Scholarship at the Brian LaViolette Leadership Camp. Brian's Foundation partnered with the Golf Foundation of Wisconsin (GFW) in 2001 . The GFW provided children across the state with affordable and accessible facilities to have the opportunity to learn not only about golf, but also about the values the game promotes such as integrity, patience, honesty, self-confidence and leadership. The Camp was created to mirror the ideals of excellence, hope and perseverance that Brian held dear.

Brian Summerfield received the scholarship when he was 14 years old and is now heading to the University of Milwaukee.

Scholarship Helps Aviation Student Soar

Wesley “Rhett” Kicklighter grew up in Georgia, looking to the skies. The accomplishment that he is most proud of is obtaining his Private Pilot’s license. And he has a lot of accomplishments to choose from. He worked his way through the ranks in Eagle Scouts and earned the God and Country Award, which allowed him to devote additional time for public service. Kicklighter was also involved in many other clubs and organizations.

It was that commitment to his community and country that earned him another honor during the EAA AirVenture Convention the last week in July in Oshkosh. Kicklighter was selected to receive the fifth annual Thomas J. Hudner Scholarship of Honor. Hudner was a fighter pilot in the Korean War and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his bravery of his actions on December 4, 1950.

“I am honored to be awarded this scholarship. Thomas Hudner is a devoted, compassionate man and his actions were very commendable. My goal is to learn from the actions of people like him, continue my education and to strive to be a leader in my community.” Kicklighter stated.

Kicklighter is putting the scholarship money to good use as he attends Georgia Tech University this fall as an Aeronautical Engineering major. But his ambition and his desire to give back doesn’t stop there.

Upon graduation he plans to continue his education at Graduate school and has set a goal to obtain his Certified Flight Instructor rating. After college he will enlist in the National Guard.

“Rhett was chosen for his commitment to his country and community, the same qualities that Tom possesses,” said Kim LaViolette, Executive Director of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation who created and endowed the scholarship.

Photo: Scholarship recipient, Rhett Kicklighter with mother, JoEllen Gantt (left) along with Doug and Renee LaViolette at the First Wing Dinner and scholarship presentation at EAA’s AirVenture on July 29, 2008

The Journey Collection

Touching lives with The Journey Collection - Handcrafted Wood Frames

The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation is teaming up with the artistic creators of Sugarboo Designs out of Roswell, Georgia to unveil The Journey Collection-a collection of Sugarboo customized wood frames for those treasured photos that inspire you. The collection features the foundation’s trademark… “The Journey is the Reward" and a famous quote from Ronald Reagan.

The handmade, hand-painted, wood photo box is a piece of art in itself, that is only waiting for a special 4” x 4” keepsake photograph to make it truly unique.

The first “The Journey is the Reward” photo box was presented to Tonight Show host Jay Leno on the set of his comedy program in Burbank, California on February 8, 2008. Jay was chosen for his compassion toward the foundation early on when he endorsed the book, by the same name, written by Brian’s parents Doug and Renee and sister Kim, about the struggles in losing a loved one. Jay being an avid car collector with over 200 automobiles, was presented this specially designed photo box including a picture of a young Mr. Leno with his first new car, a 1965 Buick.

Rebecca Puig, owner of Sugarboo Designs with her husband, Rick on why she decided to support Brian’s Foundation, “I read the book and I was very inspired by the story of how a family and community came together and turned something so heart wrenching into something beautiful... I am honored to work with people that bring so much hope into the world.”

This collection by Sugarboo Designs is currently available through The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation. The 20” x 20” frame costs $250 + $15 shipping. The 10” x 20” frame costs $100. The frame will also be given as a gift to donors contributing $1000 or more to Brian’s Foundation mission: honor hard work, community service, offer inspiration and share the belief that “The Journey is the Reward. The Journey Collection will be available at the only two location in DePere where Sugarboo Design frames are sold, Hey Daisy and Kim Klein Photography, both in DePere, Wisconsin.

For more information, please call Kim LaViolette at 828-242-3790.

First Annual Presentation at West Point

Cadet David Kennedy is the recipient of the first annual Robert Foley Scholarship of Honor.

This award is presented to a Cadet who has overcome difficult circumstances while attending the Academy. In the summer of 2005, David was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis (MG). This disease affects the neurological system and with a successful surgery,thankfully Cadet Kennedy was able to overcome this challenge and return to USMA in January 2007. Upon graduation, Cadet Kennedy was commissioned an Officer in the United States Army.

Special thanks to Midwest Airlines for making this trip possible for Doug LaViolette allowing him to participate in the ceremony and meet this dedicated young man and his family.

Photo left to right: Doug LaViolette, David Kennedy, David's Mom-Chris, brother-Geoff, and Dad-Edwin.

General Robert Foley by Nick DelCalzo

Seymour Graduate Awarded $10,000 Scholarship

Seymour Community High School senior Ben Fischl is the recipient of the second annual Brian LaViolette Scholarship.
Doug and Renee LaViolette with Ben Fischl at Partners in Education
Youth Celebration on May 8th

“Our community is fortunate to have many talented young people, and Ben Fischl is certainly a young person to make us all proud and optimistic for our future,” said Nancy Schopf with Partners in Education.

Partners In Education had the difficult task of helping select this years recipient. The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation presents its annual $10,000 college scholarship to a graduate who not only excelled in academics but possessed a passion for learning and a desire to give back to his or her community.

Fischl is Seymour Community High School’s valedictorian for the Class of ’08 and will graduate in June. He has been accepted into the Air Force Academy and plans to study political science and economics.

“As if I wasn’t excited enough to go into the Academy, now I have a great legacy to carry with me,” Fischl said referring to Brian LaViolette and the Foundation.

A selection committee made up of representatives from Partners in Education along with the LaViolette family narrowed down 17 high school seniors’ applications--one student chosen by selected staff from each high school. The committee then narrowed it down to five students who were interviewed.

Partners in Education, through the Green Bay Chamber, promotes the values of education and a lifelong love of learning, emphasizing the need for post-secondary education. This year Brian’s Foundation is nearing a milestone by awarding its 400th college scholarship.

New Scholarship of Honor at West Point Academy

We are proud to announce a newly established Scholarship of Honor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. This award will pay tribute to a living Medal of Honor Recipient, Robert Foley. The first annual Robert Foley Scholarship of Honor at West Point will be presented during the Commandant’s Awards Convocation at West Point Academy on May 27th, 2008.

Photo: Nick Del Calzo

United States Army Lieutenant General Robert Foley’s bravery in combat above and beyond the call of duty while serving his country during Vietnam earned him the nation’s highest honor for valor. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 5, 1966.


The scholarship will recognize a West Point Cadet who has gone through difficult circumstances and overcome obstacles while a Cadet. He or she will have established themselves as a true “leader of character” excelling in all four developmental pillars-Intellectual, Military, Physical and Moral-Ethical while at the same time reflecting and epitomizing the motto of West Point – “DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY.”

Why in honor of LTG Foley? And why at West Point? The week of Brian’s funeral, a letter arrived from West Point inviting Brian to consider applying to the United States Military Academy. At that time Brigadier General Robert Foley was Commandant of Cadets. It is easy to see how in General Foley’s life he also made his journey the reward through his commitment to his country, family, the Academy, and accomplishments along the way.

A Special Donation...

Through the generous support of the Weyers Family Foundation of Green Bay, Wisconsin, the endowments for 20 Scholarships of Honor established in 10 states will continue to solely fund their respective scholarships. The costs to maintain the scholarships are being funded by the Weyers Family Foundation through an annual preservation pledge. This preservation pledge helps with annual maintenance costs which include: the Scholarship of Honor Medal, engraving, presentation box, shipping, framing (like the one pictured right) etc. This allows only the scholarship award money to be taken out of each trust fund annually. This is the single largest donation that Brian’s Foundation has received in its 15 year history. In addition, the Weyers Family Foundation is also the proud sponsor of the John Bradley Scholarship of Honor endowment and two annual Poland Scholarships. We can not thank the Weyers Family enough for their support in our Journey and the lives of so many others.

Pictured above: Ron and Colleen Weyers (right) with Mrs. Betty Bradley and 2007 John Bradley Scholarship of Honor recipient, Luke Justman

Brett Favre Autograph Packers Helmet

A special thanks to Ed Martin of HJ Martin and Sons, Inc. in Green Bay for the donation an official Green Bay Packers Helmet signed by Brett Favre, which includes special details on his 3x MVP record, total passing yards and touchdowns make it extra special. We can see why one just like this was recently auctioned at a Notre Dame Fundraiser event for $4000. Martin proudly serves on the Green Bay Packers Executive Committee.

Midwest Airlines’ Gift of Travel helps Continue the Journey...

Through the generous support of Midwest Airlines, the memory of our nation's service men and women, and their commitment to duty, honor and country, live on through the Scholarship of Honor Program established by the Brian LaViolette Foundation.

This new year marks a milestone in the history of Brian's Foundation. With scholarships now being award in 10 states and 2 countries. As much as our family and board members would like to attend every scholarship presentation, the cost to do so would not allow us. But with the kindness of Greg Aretakis, of Midwest Airlines, we've been fortunate to participate and share in some of the scholarship presentations that take place coast to coast.

Thanks to Midwest Airlines our message will continue to thrive by those scholarship recipients who share a passion for community service and love of country. Their message of ’’The Best Care In The Air'' certainly holds true in our mind!

Photo: Kim LaViolette presenting Greg Artakis one of the Foundation's Scholarship of Honor Medals at the 2007 Medal of Honor Convention in Green Bay, WI.

Foundation mentioned in the latest Sports Illustrated!

Walter Iooss Jr./SI


Sue LeTourneau, a member of our Foundation Board and also our family, has been a HUGE Packers fan her entire life, but after we started the Foundation, she began to tailgate for a reason. Brats for Brian has been a staple in the Lambeau Field parking lot every home game for years. With the help of many others and Nueske meats, Packers fans and opposing team fans (yes, even Viking fans) have walked away satisfied and touched by the story of Brian’s Foundation. A few weeks ago, Sue was approached by Sports Illustrated and later interviewed for an article they were having on Brett.

(Page 5 of 10)...But he does much more than just raise money and inspire others from afar. At a fund-raiser for Green Bay's Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation, Favre came on stage to play drums with the house band. "When that happened, a bunch of us old ladies in the crowd started screaming," says Sue LeTourneau, who helps run the scholarship program named for her late nephew, who died in a swimming accident.

(Page 10 of 10) Sue LeTourneau of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation: "On his 30th birthday, I held up a sign in the stands here at Lambeau. When he ran onto the field, he looked at me and gave a thumbs-up. Oh, my God, I thought I was going to die right then and there!"

To see the entire story, please visit: Sports Illustrated- December 10, 2007

Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor

Kalihi student receives first-ever Nainoa Hoe scholarship

Photo by Malcolm Onuma

(Left to Right)Justin Sambueno, Ohelo Kaopio, and Allen Hoe flank a portrait of 1st LT Nainoa Hoe at the Army's Battle Command Training Center which is named in honor of him

August 7th, 2007

http://www.myadvertiser.com/

Story submitted by Randy Obata

The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation has selected 2007 Damien High School graduate Justin Sambueno of Kalihi as the first recipient of a $1,000 college scholarship that is being awarded in the name of Army 1st Lieutenant Nainoa Hoe of Kailua who died January 22, 2005 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Hoe’s father, Allen Hoe, and Army COL Matthew Margotta, Garrison Commander of Schofield Barracks, presented the scholarship today to Sambueno during a ceremony at the 1st Lieutenant Nainoa Hoe Battle Command Training Center at Schofield.

Hoe, 27, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division based at Fort Lewis, Washington. He commanded a platoon while serving in Iraq—a command that fulfilled a life-long dream. He was with the platoon as it was patrolling Mosul on January 22, 2005, urging Iraqi citizens to vote in upcoming elections and searching for insurgents, when he was attacked by enemy forces using small-arms fire.

“Community service is just as important as education because it encourages people to help their community which can create better environments for people to learn and then they may branch out and help other communities until it becomes contagious, in a healthy way,” says Sambueno. “In the future, I hope to help people live better lives and create healthier communities by any way possible such as creating charities, donating to charities, or producing something of great help to society.”

The $1,000 scholarship, endowed by Waimanalo businessman Ohelo Kaopio, is being awarded to Sambueno through the Wisconsin-based Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation which has awarded hundreds of scholarships, in honor of fallen war heroes, since 1992 to students across the United States and around the world who are interested in pursuing military and public service. Kaopio last year also endowed a LaViolette scholarship in honor of the 27 Kaneohe Marines who died in a helicopter crash in Iraq the week after Hoe was killed.

Medal of Honor Convention was a success...thank you!!

Thank you to everyone that helped make the 2007 Medal of Honor Convention a success. 62 of the 109 living Medal of Honor Recipients were our guests in Green Bay from September 3-10th. They all arrived and departed safely and we had wonderful feedback from all the Recipients, their families, and other guests who were able to be a part of our community for a short time. They could not say enough about the hospitality of Green Bay...thanks to hundreds of volunteers and donors, they will have great memories of our city. The Recipients are not the only ones that have great memories-our local students and others in the community were able to share in the week.

Newspaper accounts of convention activities are available here.

South African Scholarship of Honor Presented

Our first International Scholarship of Honor in South Africa was presented on July 20th at the LEAP Science and Maths School! Principal, Tuksie Nkwinti (right) presented this honor to Thandisile Mfengu (middle) and we were told the students applauded with so much pride. John Gilmour (left) is the director of LEAP. To learn more about LEAP Science and Maths School, please visit: http://www.leapschool.org.za/about.q

This scholarship is sponsored by one of Kim's elementary teachers, Paul and Gloria Zimmerman.

First $10,000 Brian LaViolette Scholarship Awarded

On May 31st we presented our first $10,000 Brian LaViolette Scholarship through Partners in Education at the Youth Celebration. Brittany Van Remortal from Bayport High School received the award. It was a hard choice, but we know we made a great one. Brittany will be attending Wheaton College to major in German and Biology with a concentration in cellular research. Her goals for her career are to become a scientist and perform cellular and molecular research to find cures for prominent illnesses.

Medal of Honor Convention Dates Announced

The 2007 Medal of Honor Convention, which is spreadheaded by the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation, will be held September 3rd-10th. All living Medal of Honor recipients will gather in Green Bay for the 2007 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention. The recipients’ annual gathering takes them to a different city each year. Phoenix in 2006,.last year—Boston. Next year—Denver. This year—Green Bay!

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for Valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual in the United States Armed Services. With the financial support of businesses and individuals from across Wisconsin and the Nation along with hundreds of volunteers, The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation is leading this weeklong convention and will be inviting the Medal of Honor recipients during their visit to take part in public activities throughout the community from school appearances to a Green Bay Packers Game. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention is an opportunity for the public to learn more about our war heroes' incredible stories and come together in a community-wide effort to honor them. To learn more about the Convention, please see the link on our website: http://www.medalofhonorwi07.com/

James Cathey Scholarship of Honor Announced in Reno, NV

'Hope's Slow Return'

Slain Marine's Family, road back
shines in child’s eyes.

See this Rocky Mountain News cover story by
Jim Sheeler, February 23, 2007
Photo by: Judy DeHaas

Major Steve Beck traveled to Reno, NV. courtesy of Frontier Airlines, to present the Cathey Family with the medals that James never received. At this time, he also announced the James Cathey Scholarship of Honor and presented Jimmy with a special Scholarship of Honor Medal.

Please Check out the rest of the story at:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5372315,00.html It is very touching.

There is also a link below the picture of a beautiful slide show of pictures taken by Judy DeHaas of the presentation and announcement of the James Cathey Scholarship of Honor: Slide show: Remembering the Brave

New $10,000 College Scholarship, Available to Northeast Wisconsin Students

Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation and Partners in Education are excited to announce a new $10,000 college scholarship for 2007.

The Brian LaViolette Scholarship is designed to offer a student the inspiration to succeed and the financial backing to help make higher education possible.Open to all graduating seniors in the Partners in Education school districts, this $10,000 award will go a student who has shown exemplary achievement throughout his or her high school career. The total amount of the scholarship will be paid in equal installments over four years.

The criteria being evaluated will include academics, leadership and community involvement…aspects of life that were important to Brian while growing up and attending school in De Pere. The recipient will be a student who has a thirst for knowledge, the ability to be a team player, and the desire to be a future leader.

The announcement of the new Brian LaViolette Scholarship on this day, January 23, 2007, falls on what would have been Brian LaViolette’s 30th birthday. To mark the Foundation’s 15th year of giving, the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation has consolidated several local scholarships to provide this one in Brian’s name, but the mission remains the same: “To honor hard work, community service, offer inspiration and share the belief that “The Journey is the Reward.”

Brats for Brian!

This is the ultimate tailgating! This is "Brats for Brian." I have gotten to know this group pretty well. They raise money for a scholarship in the name of Brian LaViolette. Brian was just 15 years old when his life was taken in a swimming accident. His family wrote a book about taking the good and healing from the pain. They went on to live it by creating a scholarship for other teens in their son's name. Brats for Brian is an extennsion of that love from friends and family. They are in the parking lot for each Packer game and sell delicious brats to continue the dream. They are awesome folks and I encourage you each to swing by and meet them. I posed as Santa with some of them in the picture attached. Check out their link on my "Links" page. This is the Wisconsin Spirit I love! www.cheeseheaduniversity.com/TAILGATING.html

Brian's Aunt Sue started Brats for Brian and is pictured with Board Member, Vicki Safford who has been a great supporter of the LaViolette Family.

Scholarship of Honor announced in Nevada and South Dakota

We are proud to announce that two more Scholarship of Honor awards in Reno, NV and Rapid City, SD. With the help of Major Beck, we have announced two more Scholarships to honor two young men, James Cathy and Joe Welke. Please take the time see the link below for a powerful photo essay feature both young men and Major Beck. The first photo won the Pulitzer prize last year.

The Final Salute: http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0604/finalsalute01.html

James Cathy, 24, Reno, NV

In 1998 James graduated from Reno High School in just three years. He went into the Marine Reserves at the age of 17, and worked hard at the University of Colorado to earn a BA in history and anthropology. He was husband to Katherine who was 4 months pregnant when James was killed in Iraq on August 21, 2005. Their son, Jimmy was born on December 22, 2005. He also leaves a loving daughter, Casey, who is now 9 years old. James was looking forward to getting back home to be with his wife and new baby.

Joe Welke, 20, Rapid City, SD

Joe graduated from Rapid City Stevens High School in 2003. While in high school, Joe played football for four years. His senior year he earned the Greater Dakota Conference All Conference and Honorable Mention All State. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, hunting, fishing, camping, weight lifting, and cars. Joe was proud to be a United States Marine. Joe’s football coach, Joel Hybertson stated, “If we need someone for our Country, I want someone like Joe Welke”. Joe’s plans of moving to Southern California were cut short when he was killed in Iraq on November 20, 2004.