Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore,

     I sincerely thank you for the wonderful scholarship you have gifted to me in memory of your son, Jay Shannon.  I know he was
a talented artist who loved Star Wars memorabilia, and graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a BA degree in Animation. I am truly sorry for your loss, but he will be remembered in our hearts forever as the artistic, funny, and kind individual he was.

     I think it is a beautiful thing to award a scholarship each year to
a promising artist such as himself.  I am truly honored that I was selected as the 2018 recipient of such a tribute, and I can assure you that the money will be well spent, funding my higher education in the arts.

     As you know, I will be attending Temple University in the Fall, studying Fine Arts, and expect to earn my BFA once I graduate in four years. Although I am entering Tyler School of Art undeclared,
I hope to major in Fibers and Material Studies.  I am very grateful for the scholarship because not only is Temple a fairly expensive school for me to attend, as an artist, I do need a lot of money to buy the necessary art supplies to get me through the years.

     I cannot thank you enough for the scholarship, and I appreciate all that you give to the THS artists each and every year. To give charitably, expecting nothing in return, demonstrates the selfless and generous qualities you both possess, and I am deeply appreciative of the kindness presented to not only me, but to the community as a whole.

     I am definitely excited to return next year as an alumnus to present the 2019 recipient of the scholarship. I hope to see you then, and thank you again for the Jay Shannon Memorial Scholarship!

               Most Sincerely,
               Clarita Bedoya