Sonny Dearth
05-11-2011, 01:36 AM
Provided by Matthew Duffy:
Chris Tromly graduated from Kecoughtan High School with highest honors in June 2001. In May 2002, he had finished his first weekend with the National Guard two days earlier and was making a withdrawal at a neighborhood ATM when he was murdered in cold blood. He'd planned to serve in the Guard while studying at Old Dominion University in Norfolk and to continue his military service after graduation. He also wanted to become a soccer coach and physical education teacher after finishing his degree.
His parents set up the Chris Tromly Scholarship Fund after the killing. Since 2003, the fund has awarded $1,000 college scholarships to members of the high school's boys and girls soccer teams and recently added a third $1000 scholarship to a member of the girl's field hockey team. Gene has presented scholarships annually for nearly a decade and now finds himself as a Stage 4 cancer patient.
It took more than five years to solve the crime to help bring some closure for the couple, but another chapter in their healing has taken place.
Tuesday, during the intermission between the final girls home soccer game and boys home soccer game (at approximately 5:15 pm), Gene made his annual scholarship award presentations. Once these awards were presented, Gene was brought forward to help present three ADDITIONAL (NEW) scholarships which honor the work he and his wife have done and their lasting legacy.
On behalf of ten Kecoughtan Warrior classes (1970 - 1979) and all the students and faculty at Kecoughtan, we have raised funds to award three separate scholarships in the amount of $3000, $2000, and $1000 which will be called the "Gene Tromly Warriors for the Future Scholarship". Gene had no idea that this is going to happen. His wife, Barbara, knew. The entire community knew. It's long overdue and only begins to pay tribute to the selflessness and sense of community spirit that they manifest as well as our love for them.
The recipients:
Jenna Napier $3000
Falicite Dudley $2000
Kayleigh Glass $1000
Chris Tromly graduated from Kecoughtan High School with highest honors in June 2001. In May 2002, he had finished his first weekend with the National Guard two days earlier and was making a withdrawal at a neighborhood ATM when he was murdered in cold blood. He'd planned to serve in the Guard while studying at Old Dominion University in Norfolk and to continue his military service after graduation. He also wanted to become a soccer coach and physical education teacher after finishing his degree.
His parents set up the Chris Tromly Scholarship Fund after the killing. Since 2003, the fund has awarded $1,000 college scholarships to members of the high school's boys and girls soccer teams and recently added a third $1000 scholarship to a member of the girl's field hockey team. Gene has presented scholarships annually for nearly a decade and now finds himself as a Stage 4 cancer patient.
It took more than five years to solve the crime to help bring some closure for the couple, but another chapter in their healing has taken place.
Tuesday, during the intermission between the final girls home soccer game and boys home soccer game (at approximately 5:15 pm), Gene made his annual scholarship award presentations. Once these awards were presented, Gene was brought forward to help present three ADDITIONAL (NEW) scholarships which honor the work he and his wife have done and their lasting legacy.
On behalf of ten Kecoughtan Warrior classes (1970 - 1979) and all the students and faculty at Kecoughtan, we have raised funds to award three separate scholarships in the amount of $3000, $2000, and $1000 which will be called the "Gene Tromly Warriors for the Future Scholarship". Gene had no idea that this is going to happen. His wife, Barbara, knew. The entire community knew. It's long overdue and only begins to pay tribute to the selflessness and sense of community spirit that they manifest as well as our love for them.
The recipients:
Jenna Napier $3000
Falicite Dudley $2000
Kayleigh Glass $1000