This week Grant, Parker, and I will be at Hayfield for Senior Awards marking our third year of giving out scholarships to graduating seniors. As of Wednesday, we will have awarded a total of 15 renewable scholarships in Dave’s honor. It is a privilege to be a part of these students’ continuing education.
A month or so ago, I got the most cowardly form of communication imaginable – a typed, unsigned letter mailed to my home address. I actually wasn’t going to write about this topic as I thought it might be best to not give it any acknowledgement, but I find that I am still frustrated many weeks later. Therefore, I am going to get this off my chest so that I can go into Wednesday with the right frame of mind.
The fact that the letter came to my unpublished home address means that someone copied it from one of the letters that I send to each applicant thanking them for applying for the scholarship. I take a lot of time with these letters. I reread their applications so that I can connect with them on a personal level and let them know specifically how impressed I was with them. The gist of the anonymous note was that it is great that we have money to give away but that they did not agree with our selection process. I assumed it was written by a disappointed student. Others feel quite strongly that it was written by a parent.
I hope that the letter writer somehow sees this message –
Dear Anonymous,
If you are a Hayfield student, I expect so much better. You cannot solve anything unless you stand by your words and sign your name. I would have been more than happy to talk to you about the selection committee made up of representatives from Hayfield, FCPS, friends, and family as well as the multi-faceted scoring rubric we use to select our recipients.
If you are a Hayfield parent (I truly hope this is not the case) then I wonder about the message you are sending your child. Life is full of perceived injustices. Trust me. I know. Friday marks the three year anniversary of Dave’s death. What are you teaching your child about dealing with disappointment?
As far as the comment about it being nice that we have money to give away? This is not our money. Some of it is, but most of it has been donated by incredibly generous people who want to honor Dave’s memory and support Hayfield because they know how much Dave loved his school community.
If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me here, through Facebook or to my email. And please sign your name.
Robyn
robtre1@mac.com
embracingtherollercoaster 
Well said
Thanks, Bruce! I hope they somehow get the message.
I’m speechless.
Stunning behavior, right?
So sad.
Someone on Facebook said this person must not have known Dave or understood the intent of these scholarships. I think they are completely correct.
What a very cheap shot at you and davids memory. Any writing not signed is cowardice
I believe that it has no bearing on me or Dave’s memory but is a reflection of this person’s character.
I am sorry that you received such a letter and very embarrassed to think someone from our community wrote that. It was wonderful to see you, Parker and Grant today. Thank you for continuing to honor Dave’s memory by offering scholarships to the students at Hayfield. I know you were there to hear the applause today when you said Dave’s name, but I want the rest of your extended family to know he is remembered and greatly missed.
Thanks, Heidi. xo
Whoever wrote that letter doesn’t know the real meaning of scholarships and how they are formed. Your family is doing a great thing in Dave’s memory so keep up the great job.
Thanks, friend. : )