For the second year in a row and the third time in nine years, an Overland High School student and teacher have received Never Forgotten Fund scholarships in the same year. Overland High School senior Cathy Lam and theatre teacher Shari Vanhaselen have received 2008 Never Forgotten Fund scholarships in memory of Columbine student Daniel Mauser and teacher Dave Sanders. Overland High School has received at least one Never Forgotten Fund scholarship every year since the award was established in 2000.

Thirteen $5,000 scholarships are awarded annually in honor of the twelve students and one teacher who were killed in the 1999 Columbine tragedy. Recipients are selected on the basis of volunteerism and leadership within their school and community. The scholarships are presented by the Never Forgotten Fund, Denver's Newsradio 850 KOA and its parent company, Clear Channel Communications.

Lam is a 4.0 Advanced Placement and Honors student in Overland's Institute of Mathematics, Science and Technology. She was nominated for the Never Forgotten Fund scholarship by social studies teacher Eliza Hamrick, who wrote "Cathy's work ethic is unparalleled and her contributions in class revealed a student who loves to learn and challenge herself."

Lam is also involved in a wide variety of school clubs and activities, including Academic Bowl, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, yearbook staff and varsity tennis. "Cathy's empathy and her contributions to others, both public and private, define what true character and integrity are," wrote Hamrick. Lam plans to study Biochemistry or Molecular Biology and Digital Media Studies at the University of Denver.

As Overland's theatre teacher for 19 years, Vanhaselen brings together students from different grade levels, cultures and backgrounds and teaches them to work as a team in an environment where they are not afraid to take risks and try new things. She believes "we need to educate each student as an individual. Getting to know your students on a personal level and being interested in their lives increases their level of success."

Vanhaselen was nominated for the Never Forgotten Fund scholarship by senior Justin Kerr, who wrote "Ms. V challenges us to find passion in our own lives, in whatever way that might be possible. Passion is the word that comes to mind when I think of Ms. V."

Vanhaselen plans to use her scholarship to continue her education in the areas of theatre and leadership.

Lam and Vanhaselen said they were surprised and honored to receive Never Forgotten Fund scholarships.

"I am truly honored to be a recipient of this scholarship," Lam said. "Its profound origin instills in people and students like myself, the courage to conquer our fears and thrive in whatever time we have."

"I am humbled to be recognized by the family and community of such an amazing man and teacher as Dave Sanders," Vanhaselen said. "He shared his passion and knowledge with his students and in the end gave his life to save those students."

Overland High School has had one or more Never Forgotten Fund scholarship recipients every year since the award began. They are:

2000 Rodney McKinney (teacher)

2001 Melissa Walter (student)

2002 Ellen Reynolds (student)

2003 Daniel Nelson-Kangas (student)

2004 Yuliya Kaganskaya (student)

2005 Eliza Hamrick (teacher), Jennifer Wallace (student)

2006 Philana Benton (student)

2007 Robert Matuschek (teacher), Meseret Hailu (student)

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