The scholarship committee at the Community College of Aurora selected Alexis Robbins to be the first recipient of the Jon-Alec Chervin Memorial Scholarship. Alexis is working towards her Associate of Science degree, majoring in both fire science and biology.
Alexis shared that she has developed a great love and passion for learning. She is an animal lover and science is her academic passion. She hopes to one day help contribute to combating global climate change, protecting ecosystems or fighting disease. Her college career, thus far, has been both challenging and rewarding.
"I am so honored to have been chosen as a recipient for this scholarship. Thank you for the incredible support. I am the first in the family to attend college, so being able to pursue my dreams is rewarding. Coming from a family where everyone did not graduate high school, I have grown to understand and appreciate the value of learning and going to college. It has aided in my personal growth and has helped shape me into a better person for today and tomorrow. I am very grateful that I am able to pursue a pathway into fire science and be a part of a community that dedicates their lives to helping people. I believe in the power behind education, and I feel fortunate that I am able to learn the tools of the future to help me be the best firefighter I can be. I hope that I can save lives no matter where I am, whether it’s from a fire or someone who needs a reaching hand. The people of my community helped raise me so now it’s my time to give back to the community and serve the people. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to explore a degree where I will be able to help people and make relationships that last forever. I will prove everyone proud!"
Alexis Robbins
When we met Michael Franti last fall and told him Jon-Alec’s story, he was so kind. He even made a video with us to promote the fund (see earlier blogs). This spring he came out with a new song, Is It Worth a Penny to You?. I want to believe this song is a nod to Jon-Alec or perhaps he was part of the inspiration for the song . Here is a link to
the song
Here are the lyrics:
"Is It Worth A Penny To You"
Did you read the news this morning about the world burning? There's a shooting, there's a looting There's a hurricane coming And every day I sit and wonder, What the hell we doing? I think I smell another war brewing Sometimes I feel like I'm falling from a high wire And I can't breathe in my own home from the forest fires
I got a friend who's now an angel was a firefighter He's looking down reminding me I gotta keep on trying If you met a stranger who was feeling stuck? And if you had a partner who was out of luck? And if the world was down would you try to pick it up? Like is it worth a penny to you? Is it worth a second or two? Reaching out to somebody you never knew Or share it with a friend or two Give it to a hundred more Who pass it to a thousand more They give it to a million more And love is breaking down every door, every door, door Is it worth a penny to you? Is it worth a second or two? Reachin out to somebody you never knew And love is breaking down every door right in front of you Social media showing everybody's best life Making me feel like I ain't got a life at all But if I don't get any likes at all I don't give a gram, I don't give a damn I'm just trying to evolve While forces out there right now are trying to divide us I know that music is really there to unite us Liberty torches are out there for us to light up Just to guide us, so we can see beside us If you met a stranger who was feeling stuck And if you had a partner who was out of luck And if the world was down would you try to pick it up? Like is it worth a penny to you? Is it worth a second or two? Reaching out to somebody you never knew Or share it with a friend or two Then give it to a hundred more Who pass it to a thousand more They give it to a million more And love is breaking down every door, every door, door Is it worth a penny to you? Could you spare a second or two? Reachin out to somebody you never knew And love is breaking down every door right in front of you Is it worth a penny to you? Could you spare a second or two? Reaching out to somebody you never knew And love is breaking down every door right in front of you
This is how Jon-Alec chose to celebrate his 21st birthday
It is so difficult to comprehend that we will never get to celebrate another birthday with Jon-Alec. He will always be 25. Our plan, this year, was to spend the week leading up to his birthday in Big Sky, Montana (thanks to our very generous friends who offered us their place there). We were going to explore in Yellowstone, something Jon-Alec would have loved. Then we would have spent the weekend in Boulder with Christina, Jon-Alec's girlfriend, and our families, who would have met us there. Along came Covid 19, and all plans were off. We did manage to come up with a reasonable Plan B. We invited some dear friends to hike with us (with masks and social distancing) in an open space where Jon-Alec used to go bouldering. While it was difficult not being able to visit the cemetery and be with the people who loved him the most, it was okay. Our friends lifted us up with love and light. The hike was lovely and I know Jon-Alec would have approved. We even saw a cardinal, a sign that someone who has passed is with you. Afterwards, we had a socially distant visit in our backyard. We ate cookies with orange frosting (Jon-Alec's favorite color) that Eliana made and told our favorite Jon-Alec stories. Tonight, we will eat some of Jon-Alec's favorite foods, especially oysters. While talking about Jon-Alec, one of my friends asked me what I thought Jon-Alec would say to me today. My answer was, "Mom, sh*!@# happens. It sucks that I am gone, but you have to live. You have to do the things I won't get to do." Wise words, but so difficult to follow. We miss you so very much, Jon-Alec!