To the editor:

First, from Rob Knight’s family, we want to thank all of you in the South Whidbey community for the support, love and thoughtfulness that you have shown us as we grieve the loss of our son.

This community, and those special individuals who have been clearing a path to help us find our way through this tragedy, will always be deeply rooted in our hearts.

Second, since many of you have been contacting us and asking how you can participate in carrying Rob’s life forward, we want to provide you the details regarding the annual Robert Knight Scholarship. We are overwhelmed at the response we have received so far, and we hope to be able to establish an additional annual scholarship in Rob’s name at Bayview School as well.

The annual Robert Knight Scholarship at South Whidbey High School has three objectives:

First, each year memorialize our son and his personal achievements — many of which were as a result of his involvement in high school athletics.

Second, recognize a deserving student-athlete who has grown and made personal achievements as a result of his or her participation in high school athletics. This scholarship is for that student-athlete who perhaps has had to overcome personal challenges, and for whom sports provided the motivational environment to build self-confidence, a solid work ethic and the discipline required to meet and beat life’s challenges. It is not necessarily for the “star athlete” — there are already scholarships established for them, as there should be. Nor is it targeted for the high academic achievers — there are many scholarships for them as well, as there should be. Rather, this is for the student who chose to participate in athletics and found themselves and gained the tools necessary to grow, overcome or achieve something they may have not been able to accomplish before their experience. Teachers, coaches and fellow students see it happen all the time. Robert’s scholarship recognizes and rewards that student-athlete for their special journey — much the same as the path he took.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, each year when the scholarships are awarded at the end of May — just before graduation and the “summer of fun” — act as a poignant reminder to every student about the tragedy of 11-11-11 and the three vibrant, loving and lovable young men who perished that day, whose families were destroyed and the community that was brought to its knees. Remembering that day each year could just prevent the senseless loss of another cherished young person.

Robert’s scholarship fund is currently being managed through Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland, but once the trust has been finalized, the fund’s management will be transferred to Chase Bank in Freeland. Thank you to those who have already chosen to honor Robert and us with your donations, and for those of you who intend to do so.

Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.trinitylutheranfreeland.org. Click on the “Donate” button and make sure you indicate it is for the Robert Knight Scholarship.

Tax-deductible donations can also be made payable to Trinity Lutheran Church Freeland. Please include the memo “Robert Knight Scholarship” to Trinity Lutheran Church, PO Box 97, 18341 State Route 525, Freeland, WA 98249.

Sharon, Jamie, Lisa and I appreciate everyone’s prayers, thoughts and kind words in this most difficult of times.

You are an amazing community.

BRUCE KNIGHT

Newport, Vermont