Stephanie Pierce Scholarship
Stephanie E. Pierce
Memorial Scholarship
In Memory of Stephanie E. Pierce
Some people live their whole lives not accomplishing what this young girl did in her 18 years. One has to stop and wonder, what if she were called to perform duties on a higher rim.
Stephanie Pierce was en route to volunteer at the Ashland Rescue Squad at the time of her accident. For reasons unknown Stephanie veered over the yellow line and collided head-on with an oncoming car. The tragedy took her life and forever changed the lives of the people who knew and loved her.
Stephanie has been an enthusiastic member of the Ashland Volunteer Rescue Squad for two years and recently had obtained her Emergency Medical Technician certification. Stephanie could often be found assisting other duty crews and attending stand-by for other shifts. She was also a volunteer at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital, where she created a reading corner for children visiting the emergency room.
Ms. Pierce was to graduate from the Governor's School for Government and International Studies in Richmond in June of 2000, and then to begin classes in the fall at Randolph-Macon College. "Stefi" was widely known and loved throughout her community as a gifted student and dedicated athlete, coach, referee, lifeguard, favorite babysitter, reading and math tutor, EMS, Santa's helper, community volunteer -or, as she was known to say, "whatever." She played Old Dominion girls softball for 10 years, was active in high school softball and tennis, refereed soccer, taught swimming, coached softball and assisted other sports through the Western Regional Youth Association and Rockville Little League. She loved spending time with her younger siblings, her parents and grandparents, her aunts, uncles and cousins, and her many friends, young and old alike.
The Ashland Rescue Squad has established a memorial scholarship in Stephanie's memory and the youth league honored her by dedicating a field in her name and placing a memorial stone.
Stephanie Erin Pierce is survived by her parents, Darlene and Stephen Pierce; brothers Ryan and Scott; and sister Kathryn, all of the home. Also surviving are her grandparents John Pierce, Roger Hedgepeth, Jimmy and Ruth Harris, and a great-grandmother Dora Hedgepeth; and all the people whose lives she touched. She is dearly missed.
Honored 2001