Impact of a Life Saving scholarship

We will always remember Shawn Gardner

Mar 28, 2022

This may be the last year for a family-sponsored scholarship established in 2004 and awarded annually since. We received this message from Karen Gardner shortly after she selected the 2022 recipient of her family’s scholarship honoring the life of her son Shawn.

“My daughters (Jamie and Lindsay) and I have decided that 2022 will be the last year of the Shawn Gardner memorial scholarship.

“The Foundation has helped many bright students achieve their dreams of college, lifelong learning and purpose in life.

“Shawn's scholarship has helped make many students be aware of others, during their college journey. Making more young people sensitive to, a large and growing population of suicide survivors, who don't know who or where to turn to during these trying times.

“If Shawn’s scholarship helped save one life in these past years, we've achieved what we set out to do.

“Lifesaving - Awareness !

“We will continue to try to achieve that goal the rest of our lives. Thank you so very much for your support and guidance. You have, throughout the many years, helped us honor Shawn with this scholarship. God bless all of you in your continued journey of higher education.

Sincerely & always, Karen Gardner.”

The Gardner Memorial Scholarship was established by family and friends in 2004 honoring B.H.S. student, Shawn Christopher Gardner. Shawn was an excellent student and was extremely gifted in figuring out computers. He had planned to attend Gonzaga University with a scholarship in computer engineering but lost his life in August of 2002.

Shawn was not only very smart but all who knew him would describe him as thoughtful, caring, kind and helpful with a keen ability to make people laugh. He also was a natural athlete who enjoyed many sports including soccer, baseball, basketball and skiing. The Gardner family aims to assist students become helpers, healers and people who have a real desire to make a difference in others’ lives and the surrounding communities.

Karen and her late husband Chris Gardner honored their 2019 recipient Lisa Yusem of Bothell High School. They were pictured at the May 2019 annual Scholarship Recognition Breakfast held at the Northshore Senior Center.

Woodinville High School graduate Carly DeLucia and her father joined Karen and Chris at the 2017 Scholarship Breakfast.

“Shawn’s kindness and loving heart will continue to beat through each of the past 18 recipients of the Gardner Memorial Scholarship.”

Next week we discuss Student Loans and we recognize one of the Northshore Rotary Club members who was one of the founding trustees of the Foundation.

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