Scholarship honoring Salem teacher John Heavin to be kicked off with Nov 25 fundraiser

By Abagale Elliott

Salem High School’s community often raises money and supplies for those in need and in support of important efforts. They have raised money for scholarships in the past, including the Randy Johnson scholarship started in 2011. This past year, teacher and mentor John Heavin passed away. He taught and coached football at Salem Community Schools for many years, impacting generations of students. 

Heavin’s legacy is vast, which led to his coworkers having the idea to honor him with a scholarship. The idea was first proposed by teacher Seth Purlee and has grown into an event that will be held Nov. 25, prior to the home basketball game with West Washington. A soup supper/bake sale/art sale will be held in the cafeteria from 5-8 p.m. that night and is open to the public.

Students and club sponsors of NHS, FFA, Student Council, Tri Hi Y and Art Club have teamed together to make the event possible. NHS, FFA, Student Council and Tri Hi Y are baking desserts and making soups, while the Art Club members will sell artwork, all made by students and art teacher Carole Clodfelter. 

The food will be sold on a ‘pay what you want’ basis. The art, on the other hand, will be priced generously with the least expensive being small watercolor artworks priced around $5 and the most expensive being card sets and large pieces of artwork at around $20. 

The scholarship will be self-sustaining and last forever. When the donation needs are met, many generations to come will see the fruits of the labor. From the students and teachers making goods, to the community members buying them, the effort will be shared and greatly appreciated. The Salem Education Foundation will release the payoff into grateful hands, forever. 

“[I look forward to] watching the community participate in the cause,” said librarian and student council sponsor Lori Hazelip. 

The sale will include baked goods like cookies, pies and cakes, and soups and chilis. The artworks will include subject matters ranging from animals and landscapes to Christmas designs.

Through hard work and dedication to the future, these groups will pave the path to opportunity for the future.