By Kara Van Pelt
Register-Herald Reporter
BECKLEY —
As summer comes to an end and students return to school, the community will pull together once again to honor the memory of John Thomas Scott II.
Scott graduated from Independence High in 2006 and celebrated his 18th birthday shortly after. He was young and ready to pursue his life’s ambitions, but unfortunately his time was cut short due to a fatal motorcycle accident just months after graduation.
Losing a friend and son so unexpectedly was a difficult thing for Scott’s family and friends to accept, and as a way of working through their grief, they decided to create a scholarship for local students to honor his memory.
To do this, however, one need was apparent — money.
In an attempt to raise funds to support the scholarship, Scott’s family and friends held a car show that Scott’s mother, Lynn, hopes will become a Beckley tradition.
The first John Thomas Scott II Memorial Car Show took place in November 2006 and has grown to become quite the event. Since its inception, four local students have received scholarships — something that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the community and local businesses like Hooters and the Beckley Area Foundation, she said.
As the car show gears up for its Sept. 11 event, Lynn is asking once again for the community’s support to help another student further his or her education and keep her son’s memory alive.
“This is my passion ... to keep John’s memory alive with the scholarship and car show,” she said. “The car show is our only basis for income for the scholarship, so the money we raise helps send a child to college.
“The scholarship goes to a deserving senior at either Independence, Woodrow Wilson or Shady Spring high school. To date, we have given two scholarships to Independence High students and two to Shady Spring students.”
Scott says the scholarship is awarded to an average “B/C” student who shows a financial need, which is widespread given the state of the economy. The board of education chooses the student who would benefit the most. Scott said she would like to eventually offer a full ride and hopes that will come in time. Until then, she says it’s important to support the cause because it is a great way to give back.
“I’ve heard some people complain about how small Beckley is and that there is not much to do, but I wouldn’t give this town up for love or money,” she said. “The people here are so supportive and willing to give.”
The John Thomas Scott II Memorial Car Show will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11. Everyone is invited to attend or show a car, truck or motorcycle. There is a $10 entry fee with all proceeds benefiting the scholarship. Food, entertainment, trophies and door prizes will be awarded, and Hooters girls will attend.
“I just want to thank everybody that has come the years before,” Lynn said. “It’s very important that we continue to do this, especially with the economy the way it is. I hope everybody comes out because the more cars we have there, the more money we raise and the more money goes to the scholarship.
“I want to stress that this show would not be possible without John’s friends,” she said. “They are the ones who started it, they are the ones who have kept it going, and I owe everything to them for doing it.”
For more information, call 304-255-7765.
— E-mail: kvanpelt@register-herald.com
