Erika Reinthaler Memorial Scholarship

Erika was a rare gem. Those that knew Erika knew that she loved dogs, she loved to make you laugh, and she loved giving people nicknames. Laughing with her was like an instant vacation. We would laugh so hard the tears would roll down our legs. Sadly, she was taken from this earth suddenly, and way too soon due to a lifelong struggle with Bulemia.

 

Erika spent the past 10 years in Knoxville, TN teaching at Carter Middle School and Powell Middle School. Erika taught ELA to 8th graders. She would joke about what a boring subject she picked. But nothing was boring with Erika. Ever. She quickly made reading become one of the students' favorite subjects. She was kind of like Michelle Pheiffer in Dangerous Minds, but funnier. She was gifted in that she connected with those students who many considered difficult and/or who were struggling through difficult circumstances. She always took the road less traveled by in life and there was nothing these kids could put past her because she saw it coming a mile away. She made reading fun and life not so scary for these kids.

 

The outpouring of love, eulogies, and letters home to her family from her students, was unbelievable. She truly impacted everyone she touched in life, including myself.

 

They wanted to raise enough money to create the scholarship for 2 years, and be able to give back to the students she mentored. In total, they raised $1,500 and gave half out on a scholarship this year to a gentleman named Owen Keener for $750.

 

There will be $750 scholarship for a recipient next year and then the scholarship would end.

 

In honor of Erika, I would love to keep the scholarship going. I know that she would just love that,…to be honored in a way where she could keep positively impacting the kids even after she is gone.

 

It would greatly impact the lives of these students if you would like to consider donating.

And, if you made it this far, thank you for time and consideration. <3

 

 

Meredith Spence