By Zach Sites, 2007 Eric McColley Scholarship of Honor recipient
"I remember being notified that I was selected to be the very first recipient of the Eric McColley Scholarship of Honor at Gettysburg High School. My first reaction was that I did not feel worthy to be a representative of such a noble cause. Since the evening of the scholarship award in May of 2007, I have felt the support of the Foundation on a continuing basis."
Zach Sites received the first annual Eric McColley Scholarship of Honor over a dozen years ago. He continues to be inspired by Eric and Brian's Foundation.
Medal of Honor recipient USMC Wes Fox was a part scholarship presentation
"It is truly astounding what the Brian LaViolette Foundation has become. We will never know how many lives have been touched by the wonderful things you all have accomplished. Not just financially, but emotionally, intellectually or otherwise. These special relationships, having been formed in the names of those honored by the foundation are what push us to continue on. I am truly blessed to be able to say I'm a small part of such a wonderful mission."
"Since receiving the Eric McColley Scholarship of Honor, I attended college to become nationally registered as a paramedic. I was hired at Prince William County Department of Fire & Rescue in 2012. Since being hired, I have become actively involved in various programs in the department. Some of these programs have included becoming an instructor for High Performance CPR, Emergency Medical Technician, and Paramedic. In addition, I have competed for and been successful in two promotions, rising to the rank of Lieutenant in January 2019."
USMC Sgt Eric McColley
Eric McColley joined the Marines on the delayed entry program prior to graduating from Gettysburg High School in 2000. While in high school, he excelled on the swim team and in other team sports including soccer and baseball. Outside of school, his commitment to helping others could be seen in his work as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and swim coach at the Gettysburg YWCA. The thing Eric was most proud of was being a Marine. He had re-enlisted and intended to go to military police school and hoped to pursue a career in law enforcement in civilian life, when he was killed on February 17, 2006 off coast of Africa in Helicopter crash at the age of 23.
Stan Clark, of Gettysburg, committed to raising funds to endow the scholarship in Eric's honor. Over 150 people in the small community contributed $42,000 for the scholarship fund making it a reality. To date, $25,500 has been awarded to the students of Gettysburg High School. Each year, the Eric McColley Scholarship of Honor recognizes a graduating high school senior with plans to enlist in the military or pursue a career in public safety or community service while keeping Eric's spirit alive. Recipients, like Zach, make this world a better place.
