Editor:
Greg Hagle was a promising 1984 Sweet Home High School graduate who loved to hunt and fish.
Greg also liked sports and excelled in high school baseball, and played football too. He was coming home from a SHHS football game in the fall of 1984, where he had gone to watch his younger brother Jimmy play on his beloved high school team, when he was killed in a vehicle accident. He was 19 years old.
In 1985, the following year a scholarship program began in his memory. The Mid Valley Youth League began this scholarship, and today it continues on by family members. What a tribute to Greg Hagle! Brother Jim Hagle is a manager for United Parcel Service in Eugene, and UPS matches each dollar that Jim contributes to the Memorial Scholarship. It is a real work of love from the 36-year-old brother.
Jim reads each scholarship application from the graduating class and selects one $1,000 winner to receive the Greg Hagle Memorial Scholarship. This is the 20th year for this scholarship program. It is Jim’s goal to have a perpetual fund that gives annually $5,000 to students. Jim is busy working on a plaque listing the 20 names of past recipients. Brother-in-law Ruelon William, a wood shop teacher, is helping to fashion the plaque to be displayed in the high school’s trophy case. They will need all 20 names.
There was no college fund for the Hagle brothers. Jim Hagle entered the military after graduation and also did fast food service. Later he entered LBCC while working part time for UPS. They were willing to work around his college class schedule. Today Jim Hagle has an important job with United Parcel Service.
Jim has kept his eyes on keeping the Greg Hagle Memorial Scholarship alive. Some of Greg’s friends and family have contributed also. Parents Carol Hagle, now of Lebanon, and Don Hagle of Albany survive. This tribute is not only for Greg, but for brother Jim Hagle also.
This is how it all works. As money is contributed, the fund grows, allowing the family to give a good scholarship to ONE graduating senior of SHHS. Remember, not all graduating seniors have money for college tuition. The Sweet Home Alumni Foundation works to see that scholarship funds are available to many of our Sweet Home High seniors.
As this year comes to a close, think about giving something to the Sweet Home Alumni Foundation. It is 501-3 C Tax deductible contribution. There are many fine things in our community to contribute to and an excellent way to finish 2005. The foundation holds fast to the dream that, one day, all SHHS students will have their college tuition paid.
The SHAF board continues to raise money through fund-raisers in our community. On Saturday, Dec. 3, please join us at the annual SHAF decorated Christmas tree auction. You may view these beautifully trimmed trees in Sweet Home High School during the hours the bazaar is held at the high school facility.
This past year of 2005 has been an excellent year of giving for the Foundation, as memorial gifts and other donations have been given into this growing fund. For more information, call 367-3803 or 367-4677 to learn about the SHAF scholarship program. Donations may be mailed to Sweet Home Alumni Foundation, P.O. Box 83, Sweet Home, OR, 97386.
Mona Waibel
SHAF board member
Sweet Home