Hello,

As you may know by now, Mom passed away early 2008.

At the 2003 reunion, a group of us initiated a scholarship project in mom's name, as a tribute to her teaching and guidance to her many students. It was a one-time event, and mom was very proud and honored that a scholarship would be created in her name.
Shortly after mom passed away, Dad wanted to see if in lieu of flowers, that money could be donated to the church or to fight cancer. I mentioned the scholarship fund, and as we looked into it, there was a great opportunity to resurrect it and put a scholarship out that would be in Mom's honor again.
At first, we thought another one-time gift would be fine, but as we thought about it, we thought the impact she had garnered a bigger idea: a perpetual fund that would give a scholarship in her name indefinitely.
A perpetual fund requires a balance large enough for the fund to give a scholarship from funds it earns through investments or CD accounts. In the case of an annual $1,000.00 - $2,000.00 scholarship, a fund of $25,000 - $40,000 needs to be in place.
It's easy for me to think this is a worthy cause, because she was my mom and I was with her when she left. But I also know many of you think her impact on your career and lives is as large as it has been on mine. So if you can contribute, please do. If you want to make a statement about it, please do so. If we get enough donations (or pledges to donate over time), then we have a permanent memorial to Mom's leadership and love as a teacher.

My family has teamed up with the Ysleta Education Foundation to start the Rita Harlien Scholarship Fund:

• A minimum of $1,000.00 will be given to a deserving Eastwood High School Speech/Drama student for college.
• The student has to reflect strong participation and success in the Eastwood Speech/Drama program.
• A minimum of $25,000 must be raised to convert the scholarship to a perpetual award.
• Harlien.com will serve as an online memorial to her life as a teacher and friend. Gifts will be recognized, a blog with personal messages will be available
• Ideawire (my company) will match gifts of $500.00 or more, up to $5,000.00.
• Pledges (those where you may want to pledge payment to the fund over time) are acceptable. We ask they be no longer than five years in this initial effort.
  

You can reach me at (210) 710-4491, or by emailing mark@harlien.com if you have any questions about the fund. You can donate online here - be sure to click on the button that says "Endowed Donation - Harlien Forensic Scholarship." You can also send in donations by sending a check or money order to:

Ysleta Education Foundation
Bonny Schulenburg
Executive Director
9600 Sims
El Paso, TX 79925
(be sure to note it is for the Rita Harlien Forensic Scholarship)

Donations are tax-deductible.

Thank you,

Mark Harlien