Information

Upon Jason's death March 23rd, 2003 we established the "Jason Plite Memorial Fund" in hopes of being able to give a gift to the Swimming and Art Departments (two of Jason's passions) of the Grand Ledge High School where he attended and graduated from in 1999. The Fund did so incredibly well we felt it was imperative that we incorporate the Fund, appoint a Board of Directors, and establish it as a charitable/non-profit organization and continue to raise funds so that we can give out Grants and Scholarships to students in the Grand Ledge Community pursuing further education in Art and Swimming! We will continue to raise funds by holding an annual Fund Raising Dinner Event each April.

8th Annual Jason Plite Memorial Fund Dinner

Friday April 15th represented the 8th annual Jason Plite Memorial Fund Dinner. We felt very fortunate to be able to award 2 art scholarships and 1 swim scholarship, each being awarded $2,500, making this year a big success. We had a great response of applicants for the scholarships and found it difficult to make our selections, but three very talented individuals were chosen.

The Jason Plite Memorial Fund Board of Directors is proud to announce the following scholarship recipients awarded at this years dinner event.
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Christopher Cornell, Swim Scholarship recipient. Chris plans on attending Lansing Community College and Lake Superior State University where together he will earn his Fire Science Degree and pursue a career as a Firefighter/EMT.

Timothy Yang, Art Scholarship recipient. Tim plans on attending Lansing Community College for his basics and improving his artistic skills in animation, illustrations and perhaps photography. Tim says his dream was to work for Disney.

Onahlea Price, Art Scholarship recipient. Onahlea plans on attending Kendall College of Art and Design, she hopes to pursue a dream of creating artwork for everyone to enjoy. Onahlea is very colorful, full of expression and has a keen eye.

Scholarship Recipients & Board members:

Alyssa Peterson, Timothy Yang, Onahlea Price, Christopher Cornell & Dawn Peterson

The MSU Air Force ROTC “Silver Eagles” were in attendance and treated us with their Riffle Drill presentation, as well as, to post and retire the colors. Colleen’s Cuisine provided an exquisite meal, and Cakes a Blooming provided some amazing cupcakes to go along with the no-bake cookies from The Coffee Jam. A very lovely flower arrangement from Delta Flowers and red roses from a generous grandma adorn the Grand Hall.

MSU Air Force “Silver Eagles” Drill team

Nashville recording artist, Kelly Trudell, treated our guests to a spectacular performance with songs from her CD “Vigilant”. She is a strong supporter of Gold Star families, as well as the active duty military.

Kelly Trudell

Kelly was born at Ft. Jackson Army Hospital in Columbia, SC, her father was in the service, and they moved often. Kelly is the oldest of six children, she learned early on about responsibility. Being raised on a farm also helped with learning the value of hard work. Kelly came to the conclusion at an early age that nothing is given to you unless you earn it, and laziness will get you no-where.

Hard work and perseverance are just two facets of Kelly’s persona, which she has applied to her music career. Kelly has traveled down some interesting roads where hard knocks and hard choices have offered her great lessons. Kelly was living in Nashville, Tennessee in 1989. She was writing with other songwriters, performing at the Bluebird, and meeting with publishers who liked her songs. As her music career flourished, she was faced with the challenges of being a single mother to her daughter Danielle. Kelly made the difficult choice to move to Jackson Michigan near family to raise her daughter and to return to College.

Kelly puts her experiences into her songs. Her songs really do touch people because the stories are real. She draws a lot of influence from artists and songwriters like Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Sr., too many other artists to mention.

Kelly‘s music ability is self-taught. She never had formal vocal training or music lessons. She learned “on the road," joining show bands touring throughout the United States performing up to 6 nights a week. Kelly has performed at Trump’s Castle, MGM Grand Hotel in Reno, Nevada, and at the Hotel Presidentii in Helsinki, Finland

Kelly has opened for national acts such as, The Bellamy Brothers, McBride and The Ride, Mitch Rider, Three Dog Night, and Mickey Dolenz (formally of The Monkees).

Though Kelly has been writing and performing her songs for over 20 years, it has only been in the last 3 years that she feels she has truly matured as an artist. The turning point was when she met Daniel Creach in Nashville, a gifted producer, musician and songwriter. Together they worked on her fourth album, “Vigilant," which took 3 years to complete.

The songs on the “Vigilant” album were written and performed with great heart and passion. Kelly performs throughout Michigan and the United States in support of soldiers currently serving, Veterans and Fallen Heroes. Her “Remember Them Now” tour has raised funds for Memorials for local fallen Heroes. She has performed for wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital. Her mission; to honor the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in the call of duty, to honor veterans of all wars, to honor all soldiers currently serving who protect America’s freedom by their stalwart embrace, and to honor all the families of the soldiers who maintain their constant vigil for their loved ones.

Kelly’s unconditional gesture of passion and support to the military was recently recognized as she was presented with the 2010 Presidential Volunteer Service Award. An award she was humbled to have received.
www.kellytrudell.net

Jason, like the select few that endure, and attain the honor, of being a Pararescueman, had an abundance of talent and special qualities. The “PJ” promise to the world “That Others May Live” says it all, as Jason lost his life while on a mission to rescue 2 Afghani children, just after completing a mission that saved 3 severely injured Afghanistan Nationals. Jason set, and still holds, swimming records at Grand Ledge High School and his keen eye and artistic soul came alive in his art.

We would also like to recognize and thank all those that continue to generously support the Jason Plite Memorial Fund.

Grand Ledge Opera House

2011 Dinner Event

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ART AUCTION

DINNER GUESTS

The Jason Plite Memorial Fund Board Of Directors

Mary Gwardzinski, Alyssa Peterson, Colleen Austin, Amanda McDonald,
Pam George, Sara Clark-Pierson & Dawn Peterson,

Jason's Family
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Alyssa, Charles, Dawn, & Shaynah Peterson & Sean Cunningham

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR FRIDAY APRIL 13TH, 2012 FOR THE 9TH ANNUAL
JASON PLITE MEMORIAL DINNER!

Thank you to all for the very generous donations. The support from our Community and throughout the USA has been overwhelming. This is such a special way to keep Jason's Memory alive, and to turn a tragedy into something good. Your support and kindness is truly appreciated !

Send a tax deductible contribution to:
Jason Plite Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 81064 Lansing, MI 48908

For additional information, send e-mail to following address:
info@jasonplitememorial.com

Jason Plite Memorial

That others may live...