Bags for Wags at Visitation Raises $2,500 for Scholarships

The Brian E. Wagner Scholarship Fund, created in memory of Visitation student Brian Edwin Wagner, held its annual Bags for Wags Tournament at Visitation School Feb. 9.

Twenty-seven teams paid tribute to Brian, an outstanding student athlete and community leader, who died tragically in an auto accident in 1993, when he was 16.

Since the time of Brian’s passing, his trophies, photographs and the jerseys he wore for basketball and football have been respectfully retired at the Valentino Center Gymnasium at Visitation.  

The evening included free massages from Olympia Chiropractor and a raffle of autographed sports memorabilia from the Chicago Bulls, White Sox and Bears. All of the $2,500 raised at the event will benefit the annual BEWSF scholarship. This year’s recipients will be announced at the next fundraiser, the Brian E. Wagner Scholarship golf outing and silent auction, which is scheduled for Friday May 10, at the Bloomingdale Golf Club.

The BEWSF encourages outstanding students who have served as leaders in the community to apply for next year’s award. Students are asked to describe how they have made a positive impact in their own lives and the lives of others. The qualifying criteria must be fulfilled:

• Must have graduated eighth grade from a school in Elmhurst or be enrolled as a senior at a high school in Elmhurst
• Must submit two letters of recommendation from a teacher, coach, boss, community leader, etc.
• Must have fulfilled 25 hours of volunteer service with an organization that supports a cause you’d like to commit and contribute to.

The open submission period will be from Dec. 31 to Jan. 31, 2014. More information can be found at www.BrianEWagnerFund.org. 

The 2013 scholarship award winners will receive $2,500 toward the cost of tuition in their first year of college.