Scholarship Helps Aviation Student Soar

Wesley “Rhett” Kicklighter grew up in Georgia, looking to the skies. The accomplishment that he is most proud of is obtaining his Private Pilot’s license. And he has a lot of accomplishments to choose from. He worked his way through the ranks in Eagle Scouts and earned the God and Country Award, which allowed him to devote additional time for public service. Kicklighter was also involved in many other clubs and organizations.

It was that commitment to his community and country that earned him another honor during the EAA AirVenture Convention the last week in July in Oshkosh. Kicklighter was selected to receive the fifth annual Thomas J. Hudner Scholarship of Honor. Hudner was a fighter pilot in the Korean War and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his bravery of his actions on December 4, 1950.

“I am honored to be awarded this scholarship. Thomas Hudner is a devoted, compassionate man and his actions were very commendable. My goal is to learn from the actions of people like him, continue my education and to strive to be a leader in my community.” Kicklighter stated.

Kicklighter is putting the scholarship money to good use as he attends Georgia Tech University this fall as an Aeronautical Engineering major. But his ambition and his desire to give back doesn’t stop there.

Upon graduation he plans to continue his education at Graduate school and has set a goal to obtain his Certified Flight Instructor rating. After college he will enlist in the National Guard.

“Rhett was chosen for his commitment to his country and community, the same qualities that Tom possesses,” said Kim LaViolette, Executive Director of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation who created and endowed the scholarship.

Photo: Scholarship recipient, Rhett Kicklighter with mother, JoEllen Gantt (left) along with Doug and Renee LaViolette at the First Wing Dinner and scholarship presentation at EAA’s AirVenture on July 29, 2008

The Journey Collection

Touching lives with The Journey Collection - Handcrafted Wood Frames

The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation is teaming up with the artistic creators of Sugarboo Designs out of Roswell, Georgia to unveil The Journey Collection-a collection of Sugarboo customized wood frames for those treasured photos that inspire you. The collection features the foundation’s trademark… “The Journey is the Reward" and a famous quote from Ronald Reagan.

The handmade, hand-painted, wood photo box is a piece of art in itself, that is only waiting for a special 4” x 4” keepsake photograph to make it truly unique.

The first “The Journey is the Reward” photo box was presented to Tonight Show host Jay Leno on the set of his comedy program in Burbank, California on February 8, 2008. Jay was chosen for his compassion toward the foundation early on when he endorsed the book, by the same name, written by Brian’s parents Doug and Renee and sister Kim, about the struggles in losing a loved one. Jay being an avid car collector with over 200 automobiles, was presented this specially designed photo box including a picture of a young Mr. Leno with his first new car, a 1965 Buick.

Rebecca Puig, owner of Sugarboo Designs with her husband, Rick on why she decided to support Brian’s Foundation, “I read the book and I was very inspired by the story of how a family and community came together and turned something so heart wrenching into something beautiful... I am honored to work with people that bring so much hope into the world.”

This collection by Sugarboo Designs is currently available through The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation. The 20” x 20” frame costs $250 + $15 shipping. The 10” x 20” frame costs $100. The frame will also be given as a gift to donors contributing $1000 or more to Brian’s Foundation mission: honor hard work, community service, offer inspiration and share the belief that “The Journey is the Reward. The Journey Collection will be available at the only two location in DePere where Sugarboo Design frames are sold, Hey Daisy and Kim Klein Photography, both in DePere, Wisconsin.

For more information, please call Kim LaViolette at 828-242-3790.

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.