First Annual Presentation at West Point

Cadet David Kennedy is the recipient of the first annual Robert Foley Scholarship of Honor.

This award is presented to a Cadet who has overcome difficult circumstances while attending the Academy. In the summer of 2005, David was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis (MG). This disease affects the neurological system and with a successful surgery,thankfully Cadet Kennedy was able to overcome this challenge and return to USMA in January 2007. Upon graduation, Cadet Kennedy was commissioned an Officer in the United States Army.

Special thanks to Midwest Airlines for making this trip possible for Doug LaViolette allowing him to participate in the ceremony and meet this dedicated young man and his family.

Photo left to right: Doug LaViolette, David Kennedy, David's Mom-Chris, brother-Geoff, and Dad-Edwin.

General Robert Foley by Nick DelCalzo

Seymour Graduate Awarded $10,000 Scholarship

Seymour Community High School senior Ben Fischl is the recipient of the second annual Brian LaViolette Scholarship.
Doug and Renee LaViolette with Ben Fischl at Partners in Education
Youth Celebration on May 8th

“Our community is fortunate to have many talented young people, and Ben Fischl is certainly a young person to make us all proud and optimistic for our future,” said Nancy Schopf with Partners in Education.

Partners In Education had the difficult task of helping select this years recipient. The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation presents its annual $10,000 college scholarship to a graduate who not only excelled in academics but possessed a passion for learning and a desire to give back to his or her community.

Fischl is Seymour Community High School’s valedictorian for the Class of ’08 and will graduate in June. He has been accepted into the Air Force Academy and plans to study political science and economics.

“As if I wasn’t excited enough to go into the Academy, now I have a great legacy to carry with me,” Fischl said referring to Brian LaViolette and the Foundation.

A selection committee made up of representatives from Partners in Education along with the LaViolette family narrowed down 17 high school seniors’ applications--one student chosen by selected staff from each high school. The committee then narrowed it down to five students who were interviewed.

Partners in Education, through the Green Bay Chamber, promotes the values of education and a lifelong love of learning, emphasizing the need for post-secondary education. This year Brian’s Foundation is nearing a milestone by awarding its 400th college scholarship.

New Scholarship of Honor at West Point Academy

We are proud to announce a newly established Scholarship of Honor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. This award will pay tribute to a living Medal of Honor Recipient, Robert Foley. The first annual Robert Foley Scholarship of Honor at West Point will be presented during the Commandant’s Awards Convocation at West Point Academy on May 27th, 2008.

Photo: Nick Del Calzo

United States Army Lieutenant General Robert Foley’s bravery in combat above and beyond the call of duty while serving his country during Vietnam earned him the nation’s highest honor for valor. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 5, 1966.


The scholarship will recognize a West Point Cadet who has gone through difficult circumstances and overcome obstacles while a Cadet. He or she will have established themselves as a true “leader of character” excelling in all four developmental pillars-Intellectual, Military, Physical and Moral-Ethical while at the same time reflecting and epitomizing the motto of West Point – “DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY.”

Why in honor of LTG Foley? And why at West Point? The week of Brian’s funeral, a letter arrived from West Point inviting Brian to consider applying to the United States Military Academy. At that time Brigadier General Robert Foley was Commandant of Cadets. It is easy to see how in General Foley’s life he also made his journey the reward through his commitment to his country, family, the Academy, and accomplishments along the way.

A Special Donation...

Through the generous support of the Weyers Family Foundation of Green Bay, Wisconsin, the endowments for 20 Scholarships of Honor established in 10 states will continue to solely fund their respective scholarships. The costs to maintain the scholarships are being funded by the Weyers Family Foundation through an annual preservation pledge. This preservation pledge helps with annual maintenance costs which include: the Scholarship of Honor Medal, engraving, presentation box, shipping, framing (like the one pictured right) etc. This allows only the scholarship award money to be taken out of each trust fund annually. This is the single largest donation that Brian’s Foundation has received in its 15 year history. In addition, the Weyers Family Foundation is also the proud sponsor of the John Bradley Scholarship of Honor endowment and two annual Poland Scholarships. We can not thank the Weyers Family enough for their support in our Journey and the lives of so many others.

Pictured above: Ron and Colleen Weyers (right) with Mrs. Betty Bradley and 2007 John Bradley Scholarship of Honor recipient, Luke Justman

Brett Favre Autograph Packers Helmet

A special thanks to Ed Martin of HJ Martin and Sons, Inc. in Green Bay for the donation an official Green Bay Packers Helmet signed by Brett Favre, which includes special details on his 3x MVP record, total passing yards and touchdowns make it extra special. We can see why one just like this was recently auctioned at a Notre Dame Fundraiser event for $4000. Martin proudly serves on the Green Bay Packers Executive Committee.