About The Brian LaViolette Foundation
The Scholarship of Honor
Who is Brian LaViolette?
Brian was the son of Doug and Renee LaViolette and brother of Kimberly. Brian was lost in a swimming accident on August 8, 1992, at the age of 15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
When was the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation established?
Brian’s family decided to establish a scholarship foundation in Brian’s memory on August 17, 1992 after Brian’s body was recovered. Shortly after, the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation was formed as a 501(C) (3) not-for-profit corporation.
What is the mission of the Brian LaViolette Foundation?
To provide financial assistance to deserving college – bound seniors through year scholarships.
- To honor the characteristics of hard work and community involvement in today’s students.
- To offer the inspiration to make the most out of ones educational opportunities
- And to share with others the understanding that ‘’The Journey Is The Reward’’
How many scholarships has the Foundation presented?
To date, 350 scholarships have been awarded, some in Brian’s memory, others in honor of our fallen heroes of the past, and others in honor of those close to Brian.
Why scholarships to honor military service?
The week of Brian’s funeral, a letter arrived from West Point inviting Brian LaViolette to apply to the Academy. He never had a chance to open the letter. Now, through his foundation, others may have that opportunity.
What is the purpose of the Scholarship of Honor?
The Scholarship of Honor is an award to recognize a young man or woman who will be entering the U.S. Armed Forces, or a career in public safety or community service, immediately upon graduating from high school. The award is in honor of the example of sacrifice and service set by our past military heroes.
What is the history of the Scholarship of Honor?
The award was established in the fall of 2003, with the first award presented in April, 2004 at Wisconsin’s Menasha High School. The scholarship recognizes the accomplishments of two Menasha graduates who received our nation’s highest award for heroism, the Congressional Medal of Honor. The program expanded within Wisconsin to honor our fallen heroes who died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Scholarships were soon established in other regions of the U. S., honoring lost service members at the high schools they attended.
What are the Scholarship Criteria?
The scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior in high school with plans to enlist in the military, or pursue a career in protective services, including police or fire science, or EMT services; or a career in nursing, teaching, ministry, or public service.
If an individual enlists in the military, isn’t their schooling provided?
Part of their education may be paid by the armed forces, but the Scholarship of Honor is more than a financial award. It is awarded in recognition of the recipient’s commitment to his or her community and country, and in appreciation of their choice to serve and sacrifice.
Who decides who we honor by establishing scholarships?
Originally established to honor our local heroes, the award was initially intended to honor servicemen and women in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It has since grown to include scholarship recipients in many areas of the country, and the foundation has been asked to help organize and support local Scholarship of Honor programs in cities from coast to coast. The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation officers and directors, including Foundation President Doug LaViolette, Vice President and Executive Director Kim LaViolette, and Secretary/Treasurer Renee LaViolette, make the final decision.
Who gives permission to establish a scholarship in honor of a fallen service member?
The immediate family of a fallen service member gives the foundation final permission to establish a scholarship in the fallen’s name. We do not approach sponsors until we have the family’s permission.
What is the Scholarship application process?
Applications are accepted at the high school where the scholarship is established. Interested applicants must complete a three-page questionnaire and 500 word essay. The application materials include information about the individual for which the scholarship is named, as well as the history of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation.
Applications are due by April 15 of each year. Typically the award is presented during the graduation season, between May 15 and June 1.
Who determines the recipient of the Scholarship of Honor?
The family of the fallen serviceman or woman is asked to be involved in the selection process. They can make the final decision after reviewing the applications, or by interviewing the applicants, if they wish. In most cases, the family of the fallen, the endowment sponsor, and the school faculty are part of the selection process.
What do the Scholarship recipients receive?
The recipients receive a one-time gift of $500.00 to $1,000 at the time graduation, or approximately five percent of the endowment total. The amount can vary depending on the amount of the endowment and the sponsor’s wishes. They also receive the Scholarship of Honor Medal.
What is the Scholarship of Honor Medal?
The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation commissioned a special medal, combining symbolic elements of the Congressional Medal of Honor with learning and education. Hanging from a purple ribbon that signifies sacrifice, the Scholarship of Honor Medal is engraved with details about the fallen service member who we honor, the recipient’s name, and the location and date of the award. The Scholarship of Honor Medal is presented in a black felt case.
What do the Symbols stand for on the Medal?
The Purple ribbon is symbolic of the Purple Heart Medal, and indicates sacrifice.
The Five Stars represent the branches of our Armed Forces
The Eagle represents the U.S.A and the freedom we enjoy
The Arrows symbolizes strength
The Olive Branch symbolizes peace
The Shield represents protection
The Open Book symbolizes continuing knowledge
What is the award ceremony like? Who is involved?
The presentation of the award involves the family of the fallen serviceman or woman. Typically their mother, father, brothers, sisters, spouse, and children are invited to participate. The award’s endowment sponsor also has the privilege to be in the presentation.
During the first year of the Scholarship of Honor ceremony, a military honor guard is invited to present the framed medal to the audience. In most cases, the honor guard also will assist in the presentation of the Gold Star Flag and the Scholarship of Honor medal.
When possible, the Scholarship of Honor Medal is presented by a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. The Medal of Honor recipient can be asked to speak at the presentation, but that is not a requirement or an expectation.
A presenter’s script is provided by the foundation prior to the presentation. The script includes the background and personal history of the service member being honored, and the purpose of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation and the Scholarship of Honor. If the sponsor is not present, they are also mentioned and thanked for their contribution.
What is the Framed Scholarship of Honor Medal?
The family of the fallen receives a framed Scholarship of Honor medal in honor of their loved one who has made the ultimate sacrifice.
To thank the endowment sponsor for their commitment and support, the foundation also provides them with a framed medal, with photos of the serviceman or woman they honor.
What does the Gold Star Flag signify, and to the family of our fallen?
With the awarding of the first scholarship, a framed Gold Star Flag representing the sacrifice their son or daughter made on behalf of freedom is presented to the parents and widow of the fallen. Two are provided in the case of a blended family.
Where are the Scholarships of Honor now presented?
Awards are now presented in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Dakota, Nevada, Hawaii and Colorado. There are also three Medal of Honor recipients who have endowed awards named at either their high school or an air academy.
Annual Scholarship of Honor awards are currently presented in the names of:
- Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients Kenneth E Stumpf and Elmer Burr, who attended Menasha High School in Menasha, Wisconsin.
- Army Spc 4 Nichole Marie Frye, Lena High School, class of 2002.
Lost February 16, 2004.
- Marine Cpl. Andrew Brownfield, North High School , Akron OH. Lost March 18, 2004
- Marine Pfc. Ryan Jerabek, Pulaski High School, class of 2003. Lost April 6, 2004.
- Marine Cpl. Jesse Thiry, Luxemburg Casco High School, class of 2000.
Lost April 6, 2004.
- Army Pfc. Isaiah Hunt, Bayport High School, class of 2002. Lost November 15, 2004.
- Marine Cpl. Joe Welke, Rapid City Stevens High School, class of 2003.
Lost November 20, 2004
- Marine Sgt. Benjamin Edinger, West High School, class 1999.
Lost November 23, 2004
- Marine Cpt. Brent Vroman, Omro High School, class 2001. Lost Dec 13, 2004
- Army Spc. Kyle Hemauer, Chilton High School, class 2002. Lost May 23,2005
- Navy Petty Officer 2 nd CL Danny Dietz, Heritage High School, Littleton CO.
Lost July 4, 2005
- Marine Lt. James Cathey, Reno High School, Reno NV. Lost August 21, 2005
- Marine Sgt. Eric McColley, Gettysburg High School, Gettysburg PA.
Lost February 17, 2006
- Army Spc. Kenneth D. Hess, Asheville, North Carolina. Lost April 11, 2006
- Navy Pilot Thomas Hudner, Medal of Honor Recipient EAA Air Academy
- Army Medal of Honor Recipient, Mike Colallilo, Denfeld High, Duluth MN
- 27 Marines Killed in Action January 26, 2005, From Kanohe, Hawaii
- Army Combat Medic Ron Sager, Vietnam Veteran, Fox Valley Lutheran High School
- Navy Corpsman John Bradley ,WWII Iwo Jima Flag Raiser, Appleton WI.
How are the Scholarships funded?
It is the Foundation’s goal to have $15,000 in long-term endowment capital held in trust for each Scholarship of Honor. This amount will support a minimum annual scholarship award of $500 and cover the cost of medals, plaques, and printed materials. Annual interest also helps fund costs associated with administration of the scholarship.
Major individual sponsors or community-wide fundraising efforts are needed to support the Scholarship of Honor. Payment to an endowment can be made over a two-year period. Once the scholarship is fully endowed, the award will be presented annually.
In communities where scholarships are established, local banks are often the central point for community donations and can act as organizers of the endowment efforts.
The Weyers Family Foundation of Green Bay, WI contributes $200 a year to help cover the cost of the medal, the engraving, and administrative costs. They have also provided a special grant to establish each Scholarship of Honor program.
Who manages the Endowment Trust Funds?
All funds are held in trust in the name of the person being honored, at Nicolet National Bank, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Mr. Stephen J. Albers, Senior Vice President, may be contacted at 111 N. Washington St. PO Box 239000 Green Bay, Wisconsin 54305-3900, Phone (800-369-0226), salbers@nicoletbank.com or Jeanie Danielak-Jdanielak@nicoletbank.com.
Historical Endowment Trust Fund Investment Performance
2004 10.93% 2005 12.35% 2006 14.31%
Above returns are “net” of investment management fees of 1%
Who will help with media coverage?
A press release is prepared annually by the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation and sent to appropriate media outlets when the Scholarship of Honor is established in a local community. Follow-up coverage includes an annual release announcing the recipient of the award.
In addition, a detailed history of the fallen serviceman or woman being honored is included, and the scholarship sponsor is acknowledged.
For the past 14 years, the media has given Brian’s Foundation excellent coverage. We have learned that communication with local media, such as e-mail to a reporter, assignment editor, or producer is a good start. A follow-up phone call or fax is also a huge help. Our post-event follow-ups include a phone call, note, or e-mail to thank them for their coverage.
How will I be informed on details of the Scholarship?
The family and presenters will be informed 60 days in advance of the awards ceremony. In most cases, e-mail is the preferred form of communicating, but individuals can decide what works best for them.
The family presenters will receive a map, address, and the school or facility phone numbers. We will also confirm their attendance 30 days in advance of the event.
One week prior to the awards ceremony you will receive a copy of the presentation and talking points.
Who manages all the details of the Scholarship of Honor?
Kim LaViolette, Brian’s sister, is Executive Director of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation. Kim, the former Community Director of the March of Dimes in Asheville, North Carolina, brings experience, skill, passion, and love for her brother to the important mission of the Foundation. The Foundation has two locations in Green Bay, Wisconsin and Asheville, North Carolina.
The Scholarship of Honor is recognized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and is protected by trademark number 3,082,906, issued April 18, 2006.
Thank you for your interest and involvement in this project to honor the men and women who have helped make ours the greatest nation on earth!
Additional Scholarships:
If you wish to sponsor or support additional scholarships, or need more information, please contact:
The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation
1135 Pleasant Valley Drive
Oneida, WI 54155
Kim LaViolette, Executive Director
(828) 242-3790 or kimrlav@yahoo.com
