New Family Member

On May 9th, 2015, Stephen's brother, Jon, brought a new member into our little family.  We couldn't be more proud or happy.  It was a beautiful ceremony.  The only thing that seemed missing was Stephen.  However, Stephen had put his stamp of approval on the marriage.  Rick found a turkey feather on the morning that we were preparing to leave for the venue.

We tried to have Stephen's presence felt
with the symbol of his turkey feathers.  When Jon and Mariah were saying their vows, the wind kicked up and became quite heavy.  There were several people that commented that Stephen was making his appearance.

As part of their ceremony, they signed their marriage license.  It was only appropriate that they used a turkey feather to inscribe their signatures.

On the tables, there were books for guests to sign.  In each book was also a turkey feather pen to write their message.

Jon's groom cakes were in the shape of his two favorite states--Kentucky and Georgia.  On each cake were writings of special places to him.  One of the most special places to him on the Kentucky cake was the Stephen D. Elrod Memorial Plaza at Georgetown.

Stephen's best friends, Mark and Carra Surgalski
Mark was his roommate for four years and Carra became
like a sister to Stephen.

We had a table set aside as a memorial to those who had touched our lives.  Stephen and Nicholas were watching from the heavens as their baby brother got married.

Of course the wedding would not have been complete without three of Stephen's favorite people present.

Sable Bowman
Stephen's girlfriend

We came as a family of three....

And left as a family of four.

The happy couple

2015 Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarships

This year, we were glad that Rick was able to arrange his schedule in order to attend the ELCA Athletic Ceremony and present the scholarship to a lovely young lady, Alayna Carrandi.  She is a very strong girl that suffered the hardship of losing her mother during her senior year.

Alayna with her brother, grandparents,
Scott Reeves, Rick and Judy

Alayna was a two-sport student in soccer and volleyball.  She was very involved in academic and school organizations such as National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society), Beta Club, ELCA Student Leadership Institute, Student Council, and FCA.  In addition to maintaining a 4.21 grade-point average and holding a part-time job, she found time to be the chaplin of her senior class, the campus representative for a non-profit organization, and participated in the ELCA reading buddies program.

Alyana was also the recipient of the Zell Miller Scholarship.  Her plans are to attend University of Georgia in the fall and pursue a career in pediatric medicine.  Stephen would be very proud knowing Alayna was the recipient of a scholarship in his memory.

Jan 2006, Will was supporting
Jon and the Wildcats on the basketball court.

On May 28th, we were very pleased to attend the PCHS Awards banquet and honor a long time friend and neighbor, Will Redden.  Will was always an avid supporter of the Pendleton County Wildcats, even at a very young age.  The picture to the left shows Will with his sign cheering on one of his favorite players.  Little did he know that nine years later, Jon would be awarding Will with the Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarship.

 Will graduated from Pendleton County High School with a 3.875 GPA and ranked 8th out of a class size of 162.  In addition to Will excelling in the classroom, he was also an active member in his church with the praise band and the mission team.  

Will was a very active student in different organizations at school.  He was the Pep Band Assistant Director and held the first chair in the percussion section.  Will was a four-year member of the Student Council holding various offices, Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society, and Senior Council. As busy of a schedule that Will had, he found time to also excel on the baseball field.

Rick presenting Will with his scholarship

Will and Jon after the ceremony

He was honored as being a KHSAA Academic All-State member.  Although he had various scholarship opportunities to further his baseball career at the college level, he decided to focus solely on his academics at Northern Kentucky University, where his mother is a professor, and pursue a career in construction management.

Will's father, Mike Redden is the circuit
clerk in Pendleton County.  Mike relayed
a conversation he had with Stephen
shortly before his untimely death.
Stephen had previously renewed his license, but had noticed he had not signed the back of the license to be an organ donor.  On his lunch hour one day, Stephen drove to Falmouth to specifically sign up as an organ donor.  When Mike questioned him and commented he was too young to be concerned with such things, Stephen told him he had a personal relationship with Jesus and if anything ever happened to him, he didn't want there to be any question as to his wishes.

2014 Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarship

Stephen and Chelsea
at her wedding

We were very privileged to have one of Stephen's best friends, Chelsea Yarbrough McDonald,  and Scott Reeves present the 2014 Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarship at ELCA.  Stephen met Chelsea in the first couple of weeks after moving to Georgia in his Sunday school class.  When it was time to enter middle school, Stephen wanted to attend ELCA with Chelsea and another friend from the church.  It was one of the best decisions he ever made.  They remained close throughout school and afterwards.

The scholarship at ELCA was presented to a very special young man, Gib Pounds.  Gib was born legally blind, but he never thought of himself as having a disability.  He is an outstanding young man with a work ethic to match.

Judy, Gib, and Chelsea after the ceremony

Gib began his career at ELCA in 2001 and attended for 13 years.  He played football at a young age in elementary school and won a starting position as the center for the first time as a senior.  Gib graduated ELCA with a 4.26 GPA.  He is currently attending University of Georgia and majoring in education.  The following is an article that appeared in the Henry County Herald after Gib's acceptance of the scholarship.

In spite of being legally blind, Eagle's Landing Christian senior Gib Pounds has never let that take away from his focus.

"Having 2200 vision means I cannot drive but that's my only limitation," Pounds said.  "My vision could be worse.  I could have tunnel vision but I'm just extremely nearsighted and totally colorblind."  

A week ago, Pounds was awarded the Stephen Dale Elrod Memorial Scholarship at ELCA Athletic Awards Ceremony.

"I was completely shocked," said Pounds, who started at center for the football team this past season.  "I walked up there speechless.  I think I whispered thank you.  I didn't see it coming."

Pounds was well deserving of the honor, thanks to his 4.26 grade-point average.

"It doesn't matter if you have a disability or not," Pounds said.  "Hard work is going to get you where you want to go.  I could've come out of here with a lower GPA if I had not taken the time to spend my time studying."

During his time on the gridiron last season, Pounds helped the Chargers earn an 11-1 record.

"Football has been something I've been glad to play with all of my friends here," Pounds said.  "I found the perfect position as a center.  Let's face it: I wasn't going to be catching the ball."

This fall, Pounds will pursue a degree in education at Georgia.

Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarships 2013

In 2013, we were pleased to award Garrett Appleton at the awards ceremony at PCHS on May 8.  Garrett was a member and leader of the basketball squad.  He was very involved in other leadership roles in the National Honor Society and the Senior Council.  During his senior year, Garrett demonstrated a strength and faith unlike other normal high school seniors.  He was forced to sit the sidelines on the basketball court due to some heart issues.  While others might have dropped off the team, Garrett continued to be part of the team with his daily support and uplifting attitude.

After Garrett had received the honor of Stephen's scholarship, he sent us a thank you note saying that out of all the scholarships he had applied for, this was the one scholarship he wanted the most.  Garrett continued his education at Morehead State University.  He is currently in his second year and is majoring in Sports Medicine.


The scholarship at ELCA was awarded to Miss Ellie Jagus.  Due to my niece's wedding in Houston, Texas, we were unable to personally present Ellie with the scholarship.  However, at the awards ceremony the following year, Ellie sought me out and introduced herself to me.  She is a true example of what Christ wants from all his children.

Ellie exemplifies Christian character in all she does.  She is loved and respected by her fellow students, teachers and coaches.  Ellie came to ELCA as a freshman from public school and quickly adapted to her new environment and emerged as a leader at ELCA.  She participated in Cross Country all three years where her coaches recognized her Christian character and positive influence on the lives of others.  Ellie also traveled to Jamaica all three years of her high school career at ELCA.  She humbly served the people of Martha Brae, Jamaica as well as her team members on the mission trip.

Other activities that she was involved in at ELCA included Mock Trial and Model United Nations team.  She also served as a volunteer at the Georgia Aquarium and was a recipient of the James Michael Everett Scholarship for Fine Arts.  

Ellie is compassionate, hardworking, friendly, funny, and always leaving a positive impact on those she meets.  When Coach Queen sent out the criteria for the Elrod Scholarship to over 30 faculty, staff, and coaches – Ellie Jagus was the nomination that surpassed all the other students.

Ellie is attending the University of North Georgia with a double major in Early Childhood and Special Education.  Her life dream is to return to the mission field and work with special needs children.