Emma Jane von Euler Memorial Scholarship presentation - 2014

Last night, on the 5th anniversary of Emma's death, we made the 4th annual presentation of the scholarship we established in her name. The anniversary is always a tough day, and we're never quite sure how to negotiate it. The scholarship presentation gave us some direction and purpose for the day. We were privileged to honor our daughter and to recognize the two remarkable young men who were selected for the scholarship. Here are our remarks:

Peter:

Hello, my name is Peter von Euler, and this is my wife, Nancy.  

The Emma Jane von Euler Music Scholarship is awarded each year to a student who demonstrates not only a talent and love for music, but also a kind and generous spirit and a desire to help and inspire others.  We make this presentation as a memorial to our daughter, who had a passion for music in many forms and who had a soft spot for anyone who appeared to need a friend.  In that same spirit, we also use this occasion to put forth a plea to all of you, to look out for your classmates and to take care of yourself.

It was on this day, June 17, five years ago, that our daughter Emma ended her life.  She was five days short of her 17th birthday.

My wife, our younger daughter, Sarah, and I  became survivors of suicide that day.  We are determined not only to survive, but also to keep Emma’s memory alive.  We also hope to keep more young people alive. We, (particularly my wife),  have set out to learn what we can and to share.  So, here’s a public service announcement:   Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34. Suicide claims nearly as many lives each year as breast cancer; and as of 2010, more people in the United States died by suicide than died in car accidents.

Nancy:

Most of you who took driver’s ed. have a healthy appreciation for the risks of driving.  If you are a woman, I’d be willing to bet that you are well aware of the risk factors for breast cancer, but I suspect that you know less about the risk factors for suicide.  Most people think of suicide as an extreme reaction to a failed relationship, a lost job, or a family crisis.  The truth is, in 90% of deaths by suicide, the underlying cause is a diagnosable, although sometimes undiagnosed, mental illness.  

The good news is mental illness is treatable. But to be treated, you need to seek help. You have to take your mental health as seriously as you take your physical health.   So, here is what I want all of you to do. When you step onto the campus of your new school next fall, find out where the health center and the counseling center are. Chances are they were not a stop on your campus tour. If you are an overachiever, go in; find out what the hours are and what services they offer; introduce yourself to the staff; get comfortable and familiar. That way, should you ever not feel well, physically OR mentally, you'll know where to go, and who to ask for.  And please, never ever be ashamed or afraid to ask for all help. We ALL need help sometime.

This year we are awarded the scholarship to two young men who are gifted scholars, athletes AND musicians and who have also contributed in a meaningful way to his school and the community at large.

Congratulations to Jack Ullman - Fairfield Warde High School and Erik Stahle - Fairfield Ludlowe High School.