The Friends of the EDC Veterans Monument established the Veterans Monument Scholarship Fund at the El Dorado Community Foundation with the intent of assisting high school graduating seniors who are children of local El Dorado County veterans in their pursuit of higher education.  Since 2010, they have indeed awarded $23,000.00 in scholarship monies to local youth.

Recently, the Friends of the EDC Veterans Monument introduced an additional scholarship opportunity, the Scholar Athlete Scholarship Fund, in remembrance of Marine SSgt Sky Mote, NC, who was killed in Afghanistan on August 10, 2012.  The new Scholar Athlete Fund will be available for cross country educational opportunities to exceptional high school student athletes who are performing well in the classroom and on the field.

SSgt  Mote grew up in Cameron Park and enlisted in the Marine Corps upon graduation from Union Mine High School in El Dorado. His nine-year service included a deployment to Iraq and two deployments to Afghanistan.  He was awarded the Navy Cross, Purple Heart, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons and three Good Conduct Medals.  El Dorado County Veterans Monument Founder, Richard W. Buchanan, NC, said, “...the Navy Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism. Many of the two highest decorations are awarded posthumously.”

SSgt Mote was killed in action on August 10, 2012 during an attack by a rogue Afghan policeman inside the base perimeter in Helmand province.  “In his final act of bravery, he boldly engaged the gunman, now less than five meters in front of him, until falling mortally wounded. Staff Sergeant Mote’s heroic and selfless act assisted in halting the enemy assault and ultimately forced the enemy to withdraw,” his citation states.

This scholarship fund will ensure that Sky Mote will never be forgotten. Sky’s father, Russ Mote, said, “Cross Country was his passion. Sky epitomized the characteristics of sportsmanship, leadership, and his love of running.” The Veterans are pleased to have this opportunity to create this scholarship in order that his selfless sacrifice and dedication to duty will live on in the hearts and minds of his countrymen every time a scholarship is awarded. The Veterans are targeting scholarships to be available, with and through the El Dorado Community Foundation, beginning in the spring of 2016.

The El Dorado Community Foundation is a 501 ( c) (3) nonprofit organization. To learn more about the story behind this fund and/or make a donation, please visit the Foundation’s website at eldoradocf.org or you can contact them directly at 312 Main Street, Placerville, 530-622-5621. 

Post information courtesy of El Dorado Community Foundation.