2nd annual Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarships Awarded

It is a privilege to announce the recipients of the annual Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarships for 2011. On May 16, at Pendleton County High School, Chelsea Gosney was awarded the scholarship. While at Pendleton County High School, she was involved in basketball and the Future Farmers of America, while maintaining a 3.8 GPA. Chelsea continues to be a faithful member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist church, where she has attended since she was little. She has volunteered her time as the pianist and assisted in whatever ways needed in other areas of the church. Chelsea participated in the Kentucky Changers mission project by stripping siding and an old porch off a house and replacing them with new.

She is a special young lady. Her activity in events like the Make a Wish Foundation and Walk for Wishes highlight her empathy for others. She is a very-well rounded lady who is very deserving of the Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarship. Her plans are to attend Gateway Community and Technical College in Edgewood, Kentucky and receive a degree in Medical Assisting Technology, so that she might become a medical assistant and continue to help others upon completion.

At the annual Eagles Landing Christian Academy athletic banquet, Taylor Echols received the Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarship. "Once the criteria for the scholarship was sent to all the head coaches, booster club board of directors and ELCA administration, it was pretty much unanimous that Taylor would receive the honor," said Scott Queen, ELCA athletic director. "Taylor is so much like Stephen in many ways." Taylor lettered in basketball four years, golf three years, and soccer his senior year. He received the following basketball honors: All-State honorable mention, All-Region 1st team Junior and Senior years, All-Region honorable mention his sophomore year, ELCA Basketball Athlete of the Year his Junior and Senior years, and was a member of the 1000 point club. He was also a standout in the classroom. He held a 4.23GPA when he graduated and a 1730 SAT score. In addition, Taylor was involved with the mission field in Nicarauga and the Haven House ministries. Upon graduation from Eagles Landing Christian Academy, he plans to attend University of Georgia. Congratulations Taylor.

Stephen's Dinner For Life

To remember and honor our son who saved lives through the gift of organ donation, the Elrod family is sponsoring an evening, Saturday, June 18, dedicated to raising awareness about the crucial need for organ and tissue donation in Kentucky. Dinner will be served promptly at 7:00 followed by a double-organ recipient speaking. We will complete the evening with live country and southern rock music with the band, Borderline. Reservations are required by Sunday, June 12, by calling Judy at 859-472-1109 (h), 859-322-6332 (c), or email kybred60@aol.com. Seating is limited. Ticket price $35, or $250 for table of eight. Checks should be made out to "Stephen Elrod Memorial Fund" and can be mailed to "10568 Hwy 10 North, Foster, KY 41043". Proceeds from the event will benefit KY Circuit Court Clerk's Trust for Life, a non-profit organization for organ donation.

A Very Special Young Man

These shoes belong to a young gentleman that was on the Hoopsters 2nd-3rd grade basketball team that Stephen helped coach. He is the same young man that came to our home and gave us his trophy in remembrance of Stephen.

When it was time to order new basketball shoes this year, Cody had the opportunity to personalize them. When his mother asked him what name he wanted on his shoes: Cody, Cody James, Codeman, etc., he asked if he could put someone elses name on his shoes. Puzzled, his mother questioned him further. Cody proceeded to tell her he wanted his name and Stephen Elrod's name on his shoes. Since both names wouldn't fit, he went with Cody SDE. In addition to putting Stephen's initials on his shoes, Cody also changed his uniform number from 12 to 15, Stephen's number. Stephen had quite an impact on Cody's young life. Cody is a very special young man.

A Long Awaited Letter

After a long process, we finally received a letter thirteen months after Stephen gave life to another individual. Sending and receiving correspondence between the donor family and donor recipients respects each family's privacy and is quite extensive. While it is difficult for the donor family, it is also encouraging to know Stephen's death saved other lives. In addition, for the donor recipient, they find it difficult to correspond because of the circumstances surrounding their gift of life.

Stephen's liver recipient is an older 60 year old gentleman who lives in Ohio. He suffered from a chronic progressive disease which caused acute liver failure. He was second on the waiting list and was extremely ill at the time of his transplant. Stephen saved his life. When he is feeling well enough, he works at Goodyear Tire. He is the married father of two children. In his free time, he especially enjoys outdoor activities. In his letter he said that he had had several complications along the way, but continues to make medication changes and undergo multiple testing in order to improve his health status. Because of Stephen's gift of life, he is alive and able to spend time with his new grandbaby. He said he feels an obligation to cherish every day for Stephen's sacrifice. He would be eternally grateful to Stephen, and was very sympathetic with our loss.

The donor program is a wonderful life saving one. In order to educate others, Second Chance at Life, Inc., has designed a specialty license plate. It will become a reality once, and if, 900 applications and fees have been received. Your initial check of $25.00 will be held in escrow until all 900 applications are received. An application for the plate can be downloaded at www.kyorgandonor.org. Below is the total cost of the Donate Life Specialty Plate: $25.00 - initial fee with application, $9.00 - Paid at your County Clerk's Office once plate is available, $10.00 - Donation to Second Chance for continual public education efforts--$44.00 Final Total
Please sign up for the Donate Life license plate today.

"SDE" honored with the Future Pendleton Co. Hoopsters

One afternoon this spring we received a call from Wes Sullivan, the coach of the "Future Hoopsters". On behalf of the parents, coaches, and players, he presented us with a framed jersey the team wore this past season. Stephen had began helping Wes by showing the players a few drills. It wasn't long before he was at every practice and game. He was looking forward to the next season of players.

We began two educational scholarships with the memorial funds received from friends at the funeral because we knew Stephen would be honored knowing others had help continuing their education; however, he would be ecstatic if his little basketball team had financial support as well with his funds. We purchased their ball uniforms this past year, and they wore them proudly with the initials "SDE" over their heart. As a thank you at the end of the season, we received a replica jersey (#15...Stephen's high school number). It hangs beside his Georgetown jersey.

Pendleton Country Club 11th Hole Beautified

This year at the annual Jim Griffin Invitational, held at the Pendleton Country Club, the players arrived at the 11th hole and found a memorial garden for Stephen. Several of the players placed a golf ball around the boulder in honor of Stephen. The memorial was donated by a beloved family--Brian, Beth, Macy, Tanner, and Riley Griffin. It was appropriate that it was planted and established for this annual event. Stephen spent the last weekend of his life playing in the Jim Griffin Memorial Tournament. He posted his facebook status on Friday morning, July 17, 2009 at 2:20 am as "Stephen Elrod is awake...hoping to have a great weekend...it's the griffin memorial tournament...best weekend of the summer in pc". A few hours later, he went to Brian and Beth Griffin's home to help them set up for their Jon Boat Classic, an annual party they hosted to begin the tournament in honor of Brian's father, Jim Griffin.

2010 Scholarship Presentations

The Stephen Dale Elrod Memorial Scholarships were created to honor graduating students from the two high schools Stephen attended (Eagles Landing Christian Academy, GA, and Pendleton County High School, KY) who most exemplified the life and values of Stephen. In order to qualify for the scholarships, the recipients must have participated in a sport while maintaining a high and vigorous academic standard. In addition, they should epitomize the principles Stephen held in high regard through their words and actions. He/She would exhibit hard work and never settle for being average, always look for the good in others, and have the desire to make a positive difference.

Eagles Landing Christian Academy
May 21, 2010


Out of a graduating class of 75 students, Mr. Daniel Jones received the first scholarship at the annual athletic banquet. While attending ELCA, he was a two-sport athlete and an incredible Christian leader on his athletic teams. In addition, he received lead actor roles in the one-act plays and others at the school.
In the classroom, he maintained a strong academic average. Daniel was involved with the church and participated in mission work as well. In the words of ELCA's athletic director, Daniel was a "great kid and will be missed at ELCA". Daniel plans to attend Georgia State University in the fall of 2010.
One of Stephen's best friends, Clay Reeves, and his father, Scott, made the presentation of the scholarship to Daniel with Rick.

Pendleton County High School
June 1, 2010

Every year, the graduating class of PCHS hosts "Class Night", a night to showcase the talents and achievements of the graduating seniors. Bethany King was one of 58 seniors in a class of 180 to receive a scholarship. Rick and Jon were proud to present her with a scholarship in memory of Stephen.
Bethany was an outstanding student and had an impressive repertoire of community service and mission work through her church. She was a standout on the basketball court and on the cross-country course. She is a talented artist and plans to pursue her career goal at Morehead State University.

Griffin Industries April 1, 2010

Griffin Industries introduced a new scholarship in honor of Stephen to be given annually to an employee who wishes to continue his/her education. The first scholarship was awarded to Molly Faust, an employee at the corporate office. Stephen would be so excited for Molly. She was a good friend and lunch partner every day at work. Molly is furthering her education at Northern Kentucky University.

Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients.