LAFAYETTE, La. — Eleven years ago, UL Lafayette student David Trosclair passed away. A Kinesiology major, David was working his way towards becoming a physical therapist.
And while his death cut his dreams short, Trosclair's legacy lives on in the form of a scholarship started by his mother Carol Trosclair.
"He was a wonderful son, a great young man, and very, very smart," says Carol. "So when he accidentally passed away while a senior majoring in kinesiology, UL - they knew David, and how he was the top student - established the David Trosclair Memorial Scholarship in Kinesiology, to acknowledge his academic achievements and to carry on his legacy."
But Carol had to raise money to fund those kinesiology scholarships. She created the Vacationing for Scholarships raffle but knew she needed a travel expert on her team. Together they came up with a pretty sweet grand prize.
"Your choice of vacations, custom vacation for two, plus - are you ready? - we're gonna give you $500 to spend on top of the vacation," says Travel Machine owner Kermit Duhon.
Vacationing for Scholarships raffle tickets are only $10 each, and you can redeem those tickets for car washes, burgers, cleaning and more. So just in terms of immediate prizes, Duhon says, you already come out ahead.
"Where can you take a chance to win something, and you get your money back?" says Duhon.
All proceeds will fund scholarships for UL Lafayette kinesiology students.
Junior Blake McMinn was one of those lucky recipients. The married father of two has no idea where he'd be if he hadn't been awarded a David Trosclair Scholarship.
"Without that, I'd be having to put in another 10-to-20 hours of work that I don't have in my schedule," says McMinn. "This scholarship allows me to focus on school."
$600,000 in scholarships have been awarded in only 10 years, all to honor a young man who gave his all for the kinesiology department. And you know what?? David Trosclair is still giving his all.
"Every year there's a whole new student like Blake that are desperate and need a scholarship. A whole new group," adds Carol. "And these kids are so grateful. It helps them so much."
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