The Live Like Mel Foundation continued it’s mission by providing four financial awards on May 28, 2020, to support both current and future educators. In addition to providing Educator Grants to current teachers, the Foundation provided it’s first scholarship to a graduating high school senior.
Katelynn Moor, 2020 Montpelier (Ohio) High School graduate, was awarded the inaugural Live Like Mel Scholarship. The scholarship will be used to pay for tuition at Owens Community College, where Katelynn plans to attend this fall and eventually transition to Bowling Green State University in two years. She plans to major in Early Childhood Education. Katelynn is the daughter of Mike and Dena Moor of Montpelier.
On her application, Katelynn said, “I hope to earn my degree, return to my hometown area and teach other kids. I want to reach out to them to let them know that they are not alone, they can achieve any dream they have if they work hard, and to believe in themselves.” Mel taught all of her students to dream big and that hard work will help them achieve their dreams. We are thrilled that Katelynn is walking in Mel’s footsteps and pursuing a career in the field of education.
In addition to Katelynn (pictured above between Abby Calvin, left, and Cory Calvin, right), the Foundation congratulates all 2020 high school graduates. This year was not the type of year one would hope for to end four years of hard work, but we celebrate all of your achievements and look forward to your continued success after high school.
Later in the afternoon, Foundation members and Mel’s children, Abby Calvin and Cory Calvin, presented the second annual Educator Grants to three current educators at West Unity Local Schools (Ohio). The grants fund classroom projects to enhance student’s education. The three grant recipients and their classroom projects are:
“It was such an honor to provide these awards to educators today on behalf of my mother, Melanie Sutter,” Foundation President, Cory Calvin said. “She would have officially retired at the end of this academic year so my sister, my mother’s husband Mike and I are happy to see her giving spirit lives on. We hope our financial support will be able to enhance learning and create unique experiences for students.”
Last year, the grants were awarded to three teachers at Montpelier Exempted Village Schools where Mel was a teacher for 28.5 years before she passed in February 2019. However this year the Foundation decided to offer the grants to teachers at West Unity Local Schools because Mel was a 1973 graduate of Hilltop High School. Also, Mel has many connections to the school since her nephew, Tony Gerig, is the current Athletic Director, and her sister, Cathie Batt, is the longtime school secretary.
The Foundation would also like to thank all teachers, administrators, and staff in the field of education for all that they do each and every day to teach the future leaders and contributing members of our communities, companies and organizations. Thank you for your patience, sacrifice, commitment and perseverance, especially during the current pandemic. It has not been easy this year so thank you! You make the world a better place!
Congratulations to all of the Foundation’s 2020 award recipients!
The Live Like Mel Foundation is a non-profit organization that continues the legacy of former Ohio educator, Melanie B. Sutter, who passed away on February 2019, from glioblastoma brain cancer. The purpose of The Live Like Mel Foundation is twofold: 1) to support the field of education by recognizing and providing financial assistance to future and current educators and 2) to support individuals and families impacted by glioblastoma by providing educational information and resources. More information can be found at www.livelikemel.org