York Student Lives on Through Scholarships Dedicated in His Memory

The Brian E. Wagner Scholarship Fund held its second annual Bags for Wags Tournament at Feb. 25. The fund was created in memory of Wagner, an outstanding student-athlete and community leader who was killed by a drunk driver in 1993 at age 16, when he was a junior at York High School.

Wagner attended Visitation grade school and junior high. Since the time of Brian’s passing, his trophies, his photographs and the jerseys he wore for basketball and football have been respectfully retired at the Valentino Center Gymnasium.

This year, 20 teams were present to pay tribute to Brian’s life. Barbara Wagner-Lackey, Brian’s mother and director of BEWSF, welcomed all the participants at the bags tournament and opened the evening with a prayer. Attendees included Brian’s family, friends and classmates, who reunited as a community to show their support for the cause.

The event raised $2,500, all of which will go toward college scholarships. Recipients will be announced at the BEWSF’s next fund-raiser, a golf outing, pig roast and silent auction scheduled for May 11 at the Bloomingdale Golf Club.

BEWSF encourages outstanding students who have served as leaders in the community to apply for next year’s award. Through the application process, students will have the opportunity to describe how they have made a positive impact in their own lives and the lives of others.

Qualifying Criteria

• must have graduated eighth grade from a school in Elmhurst or be currently enrolled at a high school in Elmhurst
• must have participated in a minimum of three extracurricular activities throughout high school
• must submit two letters of recommendation from a teacher, coach, boss or community leader
• must fulfilled 25 hours of volunteer service with an organization that supports a cause to which the student is committed

The open submission period will be from Dec. 31 to Jan. 31, 2013. More information can be found at www.BrianEWagnerFund.org.

The 2012 scholarship award winners will receive $2,500 toward the cost of tuition in their first year of college. BEWSF intends to grant this distinguished honor to two recipients in May.