2017 Scholarship Presentation

Here we go again! Every year at this time we ride an emotional roller coaster. Over the space of one week we acknowledge the anniversary of Emma's death, her birthday, our wedding anniversary, Father's Day, and award the scholarship in Emma's memory at the two Fairfield high schools. Peter adds to that list the end of the school year and an emotional moving up ceremony. This marks the 8th year we have run that gauntlet, and while it is somewhat different now, it is no less emotionally exhausting. This year, we started this week of milestones with the scholarship presentations. Perhaps because awards night was earlier than it has ever been, we were both caught off guard by the rush of emotion and for how unprepared we feel for the week ahead. Nonetheless, we feel privileged to be able to remember Emma in this way and to give two young people a little help as they pursue their dreams. This is made possible by so many generous people who helped to establish the fund and who continue to contribute year after year. We are forever grateful for the legacy you have helped to create and sustain. More than anything, we are grateful for your love.

Here is this year's scholarship speech and a little about our winners:

Good evening. My name is Nancy von Euler and this is my husband Peter. We established this scholarship 8 years ago in memory of our daughter, Emma. Emma was a bright, beautiful, kind and talented young woman. She LOVED music! She danced, sang, and played the flute, piccolo, saxophone, clarinet, and guitar. We hope that the financial support from this scholarship will provide a little help and encouragement to our award winners that will help them to pursue their dreams. And, we always take the award presentation as an opportunity to talk to the graduating seniors briefly about something that we think is really important to talk about. 

You see Emma died by suicide.

Now many of you have probably watched the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why and may feel that has given you insights. Perhaps it has. I haven’t seen it, so I can’t say. But it’s important to remember that the series is fiction, and as newly-minted adult citizens of the world it’s your responsibility to understand the facts.

Here are just a few things we think you should know:

-In 90% of deaths by suicide, the underlying cause is a diagnosable, although sometimes undiagnosed, mental illness.

- Mental illness is no different than physical illness. It comes in acute forms, like pneumonia, and chronic forms, like diabetes. It is nothing to be ashamed of and in all forms it is treatable. 

- Just like you wouldn’t ask a friend or family member to set your broken leg, illnesses of the brain require treatment from a professional. And there is always help! In crisis there are hotlines, text lines and emergency rooms and for help with recovery there are campus, community-based, and even virtual counseling services.

- As a friend of someone who is struggling, your job is to inquire, support, report, encourage, lead, accompany – but not to diagnose, advise or fix. That’s the job of the pros.

So, here’s your homework – can you believe I’m giving you homework?! Put the crisis hotline and text line numbers into your phone so that you have them yourself and can share them with friends. And if you are headed off to college, find out where the health center and the counseling center are. Chances are they were not pointed out when you went on your campus tour. I even encourage you to go one step further - 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 just where to go, and just who to ask for.  

And something we all can do. Let’s remember that most people struggle at one time or another and those struggles are often invisible. We don’t wear them as badges. So as we walk through life, let’s treat those we meet with care, kindness and patience.

2017 FLHS Scholarship Recipient - Paul Jeon:

Paul is a member of the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. He is an active community volunteer, serving as a Sunday school teacher and as a mentor and tutor for the XLR8 program in Bridgeport. He is both an accomplished athlete and an accomplished tuba player.

2017 FWHS Scholarship Recipient - Gabriel Mansour

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Gabriel is a member of the National Honor Society and Tri-M music Honor Society. He is an athlete and a musician, playing lacrosse and performing on percussion with both the wind ensemble and the jazz ensemble. He has also contributed actively to the community, supporting groups like Operation Hope, Connecticut Food Bank, Bridgeport Community Closet, BBYO Civic Jewish Youth Group and the Federation for Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County. 

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