Friends reach scholarship fundraising goal, set sights higher

Adam Lavasseur was remembered by students and faculty as a student with a big heart who would go out of his way to help others. To honor him, fellow WITC students Paul Frechette, Jeremy Larson, Alexys Lucius, Harold Shee, Riley Shields, Cameron Wilcox and Bryanna Young joined forces with instructors Paul Haugen and Cathy Pocernich to create a scholarship in his name.

(12/15/11): Adam Lavasseur was one of those special people who always went out of his way to help others. When he perished in a car accident last August, WITC-Ashland lost not only a tutor and mentor, but a friend as well. Lavasseur, 27, was about to begin his second and final year at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College’s Ashland Campus in the accounting program. The memory of his generous spirit will live on thanks to a group of students and staff who initiated the Adam Lavasseur Memorial Scholarship.

Lavasseur was remembered by students and faculty as a student with a big heart who would go out of his way to help others. To honor him, fellow WITC students Paul Frechette, Jeremy Larson, Alexys Lucius, Harold Shee, Riley Shields, Cameron Wilcox and Bryanna Young joined forces with instructors Paul Haugen and Cathy Pocernich to create a scholarship in his name.

Although the group started with an initial donation large enough to provide one $250 scholarship in spring 2012, they knew they wanted to raise at least $5,000 to create an endowed scholarship, one that would provide a scholarship annually. They held a raffle with a Packers theme – Lavasseur’s favorite sports team – and reached their goal within a little more than a month, thanks to ticket sales and donations. Between the ticket sales and donations from family and anonymous donors, the group raised more than $6,800. That exceeds their original goal of $5,000, enough to establish an endowment for one $250 annually. They feel they have the momentum to continue and reach a $10,000 endowment, which would guarantee either an annual scholarship of $500 to one individual or two $250 scholarships.

Lavasseur’s parents were touched by the outpouring of generosity. “Thanks to all of you, Adam will always be remembered,” said his mother, Cheri Lavasseur.

The first Adam Lavasseur Memorial Scholarship will be presented this spring to Anastasia Vander Bloomen.

Raffle organizers would like to thank those who sold or bought tickets, as well as the following members of the community: Janeen and Jeff Castle at The Safari, White River Saloon, Alan Sunie and County Market, Richard Pufall and The Daily Press; Lulich Implement, Washburn IGA, Chester Marcol and The Green Bay Packers, Jerry & Sherry Hackman and WIMI The Storm, Tim & Sandy’s, WITC-Ashland staff and students and Adam’s family and anonymous donors.

Raffle winners were Curt Lusua, Green Bay Packer tickets; Julie Nourse, autographed memorabilia; Jana Mihalek, $480 Mall of America package; Janelle Seeger, $240 Mall of America package; Matt Kurilla, $50 cash and Kelly Dunn, Snow Cross tickets.

Donations to the Adam Lavasseur Memorial Scholarship can be sent to WITC-Ashland Foundation, Adam Lavasseur Memorial Scholarship, 2100 Beaser Avenue, Ashland, WI 54806.

About WITC

Friends reach scholarship fundraising goal, set sights higher