As a volunteer firefighter, Capt. Shane Stewart was willing to sacrifice everything to help someone in dire need.
Shane Stewart Scholarship Fund
March 01, 2017
Whether it was a friend, a neighbor or a perfect stranger didn’t matter. He was not paid to put his life on the line to help others, but he did whenever he was called.
Our community mourned – as did firefighters across the state and country – when we lost this brave man who died in the line of duty, leaving behind a wife and two young boys. More than two years later, with love and support from family, community and fellow firefighters, the Stewarts are healing.
Recently, Shane' mother, Jeanette Stewart, and his widow, Cyndee Stewart, established the Captain Shane Stewart Memorial Scholarship Fund at Aims as a way to remember the fallen firefighter. Jeanette worked at Aims from 1987-2007 and Cyndee has been an Aims employee since 2000.
"The scholarship means that someone else can do what Shane loved to do as a firefighter and a first responder," Jeannette said. "It was one of his passions."
In the mid-1990s, Shane took classes at Aims in Automotive Technology. Cyndee remembers he was excited to return to Aims to receive additional training as a volunteer firefighter.
"If Shane could have started over with a career, he probably would have gone into fire science. He loved being a volunteer firefighter so much," she said. "Establishing this scholarship at Aims means a lot to our family. It’s really a big circle. Aims provides a valuable education to our volunteer firefighters, who in turn serve the community."
The scholarship fund is about two-thirds of the way toward reaching the $10,000 needed to establish an endowment. The first student to be awarded was Kersey resident Kaleb Staley.
The scholarship is available to students pursuing careers in Fire Science and Emergency Medical Services at Aims. Shane served in the Ault-Pierce Fire Protection District, and preference is given to a graduate of Highland High School.
If you are interested in creating an annual or endowed scholarship please contact the Aims Foundation by calling (970) 339-6583 or by email at judy.knapp@aims.edu. Your contribution can change the lives of our students.