| The
Matt Sklom Scholarship has been awarded each year since
2003 to
a senior who has excelled in sports but maintains an
above average grade
point average and has exhibited leadership qualities
throughout his/her
high school career.
Erin
is hoping to raise enough money to keep this worthy
scholarship
in place for years to come at her alma mater, Eisenhower
High School. At
this time, the scholarship is a $500.00 savings bond.
Donations can be
sent to Eisenhower, 12700 S. Sacramento, in care of
Dr. Gary Rauch,
Principal. Checks should be made out to: DDE/Matt Sklom
Scholarship.
In
Erin's words: I decided to run the Chicago Marathon
because I
wanted to test myself. The Chicago race is known as
a charity marathon,
and I wanted my run to benefit Blue Island. My first
thought was of Matt
Sklom and the scholarship that has been given each year
in his honor to
a graduating senior at Eisenhower.
When
Matt died in 2002, I was just starting my freshman year
at the Air Force Academy. He was not immediate family,
so I couldn't attend the funeral. I wrote him a letter,
but I was never able to say goodbye.
I've
had several close friends
that taught me many ways NOT to
be, pushing me down less than productive paths. Matt
was genuinely different.
Although we weren't best friends, I respected him very
much,
specifically the everyday effort he put into sports-the
thankless tasks that
no one makes you do, when the only person you can let
down is yourself.
He was in the weight room everyday before school; meanwhile,
I was
angry that I had to wake up once every few months for
a morning practice.
I asked him once how he did it day after day and he
said, “I just do.”
I laughed then, but I can't tell you how many times
I've said that to other
people since I left Eisenhower.
I
want to run to honor Matt's memory in a way he would
have respected.
I want to give back to him and perpetrate his legacy
by helping a student
who shares his values and goals. I'd also like to help
the school that
pushed both Matt and me to succeed. I hope that this
can be my goodbye.
|
