Ryan Mondy D.A.S.H. scholarships given

— Star City High School senior Heather Caldwell and eStemPublic Charter High School senior William Gorton, Little Rock, recently received theRyan Mondy D.A.S.H. Memorial Scholarship throughArkansas Community Foundation (ARCF).

The scholarship fund was established at ARCF in 2008 by Andrea and Christopher Mondy of Pea Ridge in memory of their son who died at the age of 7 from a rare form of cancer.

“Ryan wanted to help people,” Christopher Mondy said. “After he was diagnosed with cancer, he actually spoke at events to raise money to help others with cancer. We learned from him to give back.”

The scholarship’s name is an acronym for one of Ryans favorite sayings: “Doing Anything Supportive Helps.” It benefits students whose lives have been touched by cancer.

Scholarship winner Heather Caldwell’s younger sister lost her battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2003.

“She was one of the strongest people I have ever known, perseverance exemplified,” Caldwell said. Her sister’s strength and courage inspired Caldwell to pursue a degree in nursing at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. “My dream is to work as a nurse on the oncology unit at Arkansas Children’s Hospital,” she said. “My sister had wonderful nurses at ACH that helped her from one battle to the next. I desire to be that same instrument of healing, encouragement, hope and love for those battling childhood cancer.”

Scholarship winner Will Gorton’s older sister survived cancer early in her life, and together they attended Camp Quality, a summer camp for cancer survivors and their siblings. More recently, Gorton became a volunteer for Camp Quality, an experience he says has forever changed his life.

“Over the last seven years I have met some of the bravest, strongest, most amazingyoung people. I have learned what ‘fighting for your life’ really means,” he said. Gorton hopes to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he will major in computer science.

Arkansas Community Foundation makes grants to improve the quality of life in our state and collaborates with individuals, families and organizations to build local communities through philanthropy. ARCF has more than $125 million in assets and has provided more than $79 million in grants since it began operation in 1976. Contributions to ARCF, its funds and any of its 27 local affiliate offices are fully tax deductible.

Community, Pages 9 on 06/13/2012