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Sean Anderson Recipient of 2014 Laura Wilcox Scholarship

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Sean Anderson

13 year tradition of rewarding outstanding students in the memory of Laura Wilcox

Nevada Union Graduate, Sean Anderson is the 2014 recipient of the Laura Wilcox Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded on behalf of Nick and Amanda Wilcox and the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) in honor of Laura Wilcox, the Nevada County teenager killed in the January 10, 2001 shooting at the Nevada County Behavioral Health facility. The scholarship is offered annually to graduating Nevada Union High School seniors that have a commitment to the environment and to Laura’s values.

Based on Sean’s compassion for his fellow humankind, passionate desire to create positive change, love of the Yuba River, involvement in many service organizations and similarities to Laura’s values, he was awarded $1,000 a year towards his college costs for 4 years.

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Amanda and Nick Wilcox awarding Sean at this year’s Scholarship Night

“Sean’s academic capability, leadership skills, and sense of service remind of us Laura. He will be attending UC Berkeley and studying environmental engineering. We are pleased to grant this scholarship to a student who wants to make a positive difference in the world, as Laura would have,” said Amanda Wilcox.

Sean, a passionate student and river lover, expressed his appreciation for the award. “I find that the South Fork of the Yuba nourishes the mind, body, and soul through the power of the water, its immeasurable beauty, and the connection that we feel with it. From the river a community forms, and SYRCL stands as its figurehead in activism for the river, its life, and the environment overall. Personally, spending time at the river and in the wilderness has strengthened so many values of mine, values that Laura Wilcox exemplified in her dedication to both the river and humanity. It is a humbling honor to receive this scholarship in her name as she upheld these values that better our community and inspire others. Thank you.”

The scholarship’s history

Laura Wilcox
Laura Wilcox

On graduating from Nevada Union High School in 1999, Laura won a scholarship from the Sierra Club with an essay she wrote about restoring salmon to the Yuba River. After her death, the Sierra Club donated the remaining $4,000 of her scholarship to SYRCL to endow a scholarship in her name. So far, thirteen $4,000 scholarships have been awarded to local students.

Amanda Wilcox said, “Laura herself endowed the scholarship that bears her name. In life, she inspired so many people, it seems appropriate that she continues helping other young people. All the recipients have been outstanding people academically and personally,” She added, “The Brains of Nevada County event shows how much we’re supported by SYRCL and the community at large.” The “Brains of Nevada County” event is the principal fundraiser for the Laura Wilcox Scholarship. For the past 12 years, teams from all over the County compete in this trivia contest. Teams are made up of friends and neighbors as well as teams from companies and organizations such as YubaNet, Nevada City Winery, AJA video, Telestream, Coldwell Banker, The Union, KVMR, BriarPatch Co-Op, and many more.

The Annual Brains of Nevada County Quiz Night will take place March 14, 2015.

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