Thousands Raised for Haley Rae Martin Scholarship Fund

The parents and family of Haley Rae Martin, the Northwood teenager who died unexpectedly in October, have set up a scholarship fund in her name to help teen artists with tuition to take classes at the Kimball Jenkins Estate in Concord.

Martin, who was a photographer and artist, was “a bit of a free spirit in the way she looked at life,” according to a statement promoting the fund on the school’s website. “She was a sensitive, caring, creative and special young woman who enjoyed life and all who came in contact with her. She had a great sense of humor and looked for the good in everyone and everything.”

The fund is being set up in the hope “that it will help give at least a few young people the training that she was looking forward to getting before her life was cut so short.”

Martin passed away on Oct. 23, at the age of 19, at the home of a friend in Concord. A few days after her death, the state medical examiner’s office stated that it would be a number of months before an exact cause of death could be determined.

Martin, her parents say on the website, also enjoyed beading, bracelet making, drawing, graffiti, and other forms of art.

“The generosity of Haley's family and friends allow Haley's memory to live on in the community in the emerging artists who can benefit from Haley's gift and create beauty and understanding through art,” the website stated.

In order to receive a scholarship, art students are invited to fill out the online PDF.

Donations are also being accepted for the fund via PayPal or credit card to sustain the fund into the future.