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MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) — It was an emotional morning at Lassiter High School on May 11 as a mother awarded 11 scholarships in the name of her daughter who died in a car crash nine years ago.
Kayla Rae Gattis, a 17-year-old Lassiter High School cheerleader and beauty pageant contender, was killed after a Mack truck hit the 2000 Pontiac Firebird she was driving on April 18, 2006.
Tammy Gattis, Kayla's mother, said her son, Chad Shirley, had the idea for people to donate to a scholarship fund rather than spend money on flowers for Kayla Gattis' funeral.
"It means so much to me to be able to do this," Tammy Gattis said, adding she wrote letters to each of the students explaining why they received the scholarships.
The scholarships are given to between seven and 10 students each year and vary in size from student to student. This year had the most recipients at 11 students. In total, this year's recipients were awarded $13,000.
The students were unaware they were chosen until a special announcement in the front office of Lassiter on Monday morning, where they were greeted by their parents.
"You guys are a special group who have been hand-picked to receive the Kayla Gattis scholarship this year," Tammy Gattis told the students. "This is a special year because it's probably the last year it's going to happen. I've grown to know most of you through the years, and I know you're going to be incredible people."
Tammy Gattis said this is the final year because her youngest daughter, Alyssa, is graduating from Lassiter to attend the University of Georgia, and it seemed like a natural time to end the scholarship.
Because she didn't give all of the money away this year, there are still some leftover funds for a few scholarships next year; there just won't be any more fundraisers. Lassiter High School is in charge of the scholarship account and handles all the money.
Tammy Gattis said a community fundraiser is held every summer, with local merchants and individuals donating food, music, entertainment and items for silent auctions and raffles.
To date, Tammy Gattis said the scholarship fundraisers have collected more than $60,000 for 67 students.
"It is amazing to watch the outpouring of love to honor our amazing daughter by providing a way for us to recognize and give back to other incredible and deserving young ladies and gentlemen graduating," she said.
Tammy Gattis said Therese Heneghan and Anita Norton — both Lassiter parents whose children received a scholarship this year — take the lead on organizing the fundraiser.
Heneghan said almost every year during the fundraiser, there was a threat of rain or storms but then the sun came out and the people were able to enjoy the event.
"It works out every year," Heneghan said. "Because we do it every year, everybody gets involved and asks how they can help."
In addition to the scholarships, Tammy Gattis also presented her daughter, Alyssa Gattis, with an honorary scholarship, which does not include money, because she is graduating this year.
Alyssa Gattis said she is always touched by the people who show up to donate to the scholarship fund.
"It's so awesome to see how much work everyone else puts into it and how much they want the scholarship to be there," Alyssa Gattis said.
Marietta resident Emily Kasmenn, 18, said she plans to use the scholarship toward earning a degree in fashion marketing from Georgia Southern University.
Emma Goldstein of Marietta, 18, another scholarship recipient, said she will use the money at the University of Alabama.
"Kayla was an amazing person, so it makes me feel like I need to be a good person like she was," Goldstein said, adding she has known Alyssa for many years.
Students who applied for a scholarship were required to have a teacher recommendation and had to write an essay describing something they have done to make a difference in someone's life or an event that made an impact on them.
Tammy Gattis said she reads each one of the essays, which makes it hard having to whittle them down to the number of scholarships they are able to give each year.
Skylar Mecca-Lipman, 18, said she plans to study psychology at Georgia College and State University.
"I've been watching a bunch of my older friends get the scholarship for years now and so, now that I get to get it myself, it's really an honor," Mecca-Lipman said. "Especially coming from such a special person."
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Information from: Marietta Daily Journal, http://mdjonline.com/
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