By James Hanlon
Leader Staff Writer
The Tate Myre Memorial Scholarship fund has raised about $150,000 so far, with contributions coming in from 15 states. The Myre family established the endowed scholarship in Tate’s name to help graduates of Oxford High School offset college tuition costs. This will allow Tate and his family to continue to support the Oxford community for years to come and to create some good in the wake of tragedy.
The number and amount of scholarships have not been determined yet, and will likely depend on how much money is raised, according to Jo Allen, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester which manages the fund. It is unlikely a scholarship will be given out in 2022.
“Typically in my experience with a scholarship, especially one in memory of a child, the family isn’t quite ready to jump on board making those kinds of decisions right away,” Allen said.
When they are ready, the family can decide what the application process and criteria will be. “Because of Tate’s service in school, there might be one for somebody who is going to play sports in college or other activities he participated in. Those kinds of things will likely be reviewed.”
A committee to review and select applications from Oxford High School students would probably include Tate’s parents, coaches or others who had influence on his life. The fund was initiated by a friend of the family in an attempt to bring a positive out of a negative.
“It has been very nice to see all of the outreach,” Allen said. The foundation has received sympathy cards alongside checks and encouraging comments with online card donations. All of those will be shared with the family. “Hopefully they get some comfort out of those as well.”
Those interested in contributing to the scholarship fund can donate online at cfound.org. Checks can be made out to Community Foundation of Greater Rochester, with “Myre Scholarship” written on the memo line, and mailed to P.O. Box 80431 Rochester, Michigan 48307.