Herndon scholarship

Meg Herndon was a beautiful person.

She was a nursing student and a soccer player in her senior year at Southeast Missouri State University and by all accounts a good teammate and friend. She was loved by many. Meg died following a September scooter accident in which she was not wearing a helmet.

Meg's family, coaches and teammates are raising money for a scholarship that would honor her memory. The family hopes to raise $10,000 for an endowed scholarship to be established in her name.

Heather Nelson, Southeast soccer coach, is promoting the scholarship.

"She epitomized everything you'd want in a Southeast student-athlete," Nelson said. Nelson helped Herndon's parents establish the scholarship through the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. Once endowed, it will be granted to a female soccer player.

"We'll be looking for people who had the same vision as Meg," Nelson said. "She was a soccer player and planned a future as a health professional. We'll look for players with similar plans, and character will count, too."

As of last week, $2,000 had been raised.

The family is selling 500 tickets to the July 23 Cardinals game against the Phillies for $20 per person to raise money for the scholarship. If all are sold, Meg will be honored on the field before the game.

Tickets may be purchased by sending an email to pray4meg@gmail.com. Regular donations to the scholarship may be made by contacting the Southeast Missouri University Foundation.

As we remember Meg and honor her memory, it is appropriate also to encourage everyone to wear helmets when driving their scooters or all terrain vehicles.

Please be safe.