It was a great honor to meet Elizabeth (Libby) Dolan and her parents, Doug and Jennifer, last night at Spring Branch ISD Bright Stars gala. Libby was selected to receive the final scholarship in Sarah’s memory. We know Sarah would be thrilled. Libby was in kindergartener at Meadow Wood Elementary the last time Sarah visited the school where she taught for four years. We wish Libby every success as she starts TCU in the nursing program.

 May 12, 2022 (Our apologies for not posting about Tyler more than a year ago here on Sarah's blog)

Denise and I had the pleasure to present Tyler Cobb with the seventh 2022 Sarah Chidgey Scholarship at the Spring Branch ISD Bright Stars Gala. Tyler starts LSU in the fall and plans to study coastal and marine ecology. We congratulate him and wish him every success.. Ongoing thanks to family and friends who have generously donated to the Sarah Chidgey Scholarship Fund to keep Sarah’s memory alive.

Tonight the sixth Sarah Chidgey Scholarship was presented to Sara Yazdi, Stratford High School senior. Denise, Brooke, and I thank all those who generously contributed to the scholarship fund over the past ten years. We would also like to thank the Spring Branch I.S.D. and Spring Branch Education Foundation that made this virtual celebration honoring scholarship recipients possible this year. 

Sara Yazdi, 

Congratulations! We wish you every success in life.

For those who would like this worthy cause in memory of Sarah, please click this link to the Spring Branch I.S.D. website:

Donate to Sarah Chidgey's scholarship fund

 

2019 Sarah Chidgey Scholarship Presented

Dear Friends and Family,

We apologize for the delay in posting this. It was an oversight on our part.  Again to all of you who have generously contributed to the Sarah Chidgey Scholarship in Spring Branch I.S.D., we sincerely thank you. The fourth scholarship was awarded to Tim Snapp, a graduate of Stratford High School on May 15, 2019. Congratulations Tim! While Tim was not in “Ms. Chidgey's” class, both knew each other well since he was directly across the hall. In fact there are many ties between the Snapp family and Sarah including Tim's mother working with Sarah on the planning committee when the Meadow Wood Elementary campus was about to be totally rebuilt. Also of note, Tim was wearing a blue Shine Bright wristband in memory of Sarah form long ago as he received his scholarship award. 

Sarah expressed her desire to be remembered by having scholarships awarded to students who attended Meadow Wood Elementary School and who demonstrate a passion for life, learning, and serving others. As usual, Spring Branch I.S.D. had their annual All Stars Gala (2019) where scholarships were presented to students. It was a time for us to honor Sarah and what she loved - teaching and also to honor the teachers fo the year from across the distric!. 

Denise and I just want to be sure you know how much we appreciate your thoughtfulness, caring, and love these past years. Sarah would be proud of the good that is coming from these scholarships and so thankful for each of you in helping make this happen. Enclosed is a picture of Tim with us at the awards presentation. Tim is attending Texas A& M and plans to study in the Department of Construction Science. We are happy knowing the $4,000 scholarship will assist him in reaching his career aspirations. If you or someone you know would like to contribute to Sarah's scholarship fund, please do so at:

Sarah Chidgey Memorial Scholarship Fund

Best wishes and much love.

David and Denise

As Sarah would say, “Shine bright firefly, shine bright!”

2018 Sarah Chidgey Scholarship Presented

Dear Friends and Family,

We again thank you so much for contributing to the Sarah Chidgey Scholarship in Spring Branch I.S.D. The third scholarship was awarded to Macon Boane, a graduate of Stratford High School and former third grade student of “Ms. Chidgey.” 

Sarah expressed her desire to be remembered by having scholarships awarded to students who attended Meadow Wood Elementary School and who demonstrate a passion for life, learning, and serving others. As usual, Spring Branch I.S.D. had their annual All Stars Gala (2018) where scholarships were presented to students. It was a time for us to honor Sarah and what she loved - teaching. It was so nice that former students, parents, and staff made a point to introduce themselves to us and share beautiful memories. 

The following morning we decided to visit Meadow Wood Elementary School. Sarah would have loved the new campus full of life and learning. The library that was dedicated in Sarah’s memory is such an inviting place and her portrait of her having fun with her students is hanging in a place of honor. It was really special to meet the new principal and reconnect with some of the staff who knew and loved Sarah.  

Denise and I just want to be sure you know how much we appreciate your thoughtfulness, caring, and love these past years. Sarah would be proud of the good that is coming from these scholarships and so thankful for each of you in helping make this happen. Enclosed is a picture of Macon and us at the awards presentation. Macon will be attending Texas Tech University as a pre-law student. We believe the $4,000 scholarship will assist him in reaching his ultimate career goal of being an attorney. If you or someone you know would like to contribute to Sarah's scholarship fund, please do so at:

Sarah Chidgey Memorial Scholarship Fund

Best wishes and much love.

David and Denise

As Sarah would say, “Shine bright firefly, shine bright!”

Macon Boane with David & Denise Chidgey

Shine bright firefly, shine bright!

Dear Sarah,

Your dad and I presented two very deserving graduating students the first of the Sarah Chidgey Scholarships at Spring Branch I.S.D. They attended second grade at Meadow Wood Elementary the first year you taught there. The students expressed their gratitude and stated that there were no words to adequately convey their thanks. A big great thank you to all of Sarah's friends and family who have contributed to this scholarship fund. https://cms.springbranchisd.com/sbef/Donate-Now/Donate-Online Shine Bright Firefly, Shine Bright.

Love,
Mom and Dad

Salma Almasri  and Daniel Radhimzadeh

recipients of the Sarah Chidgey Scholarship 2017

Like Captured Fireflies

by John Steinbeck

In her classroom our speculations ranged the world.

She aroused us to book waving discussions.

Every morning we came to her carrying new truths, new facts, new ideas

Cupped and sheltered in our hands like captured fireflies.

When she went away a sadness came over us,

But the light did not go out.

She left her signature upon us

The literature of the teacher who writes on children's minds.

I've had many teachers who taught us soon forgotten things.

But only a few like her who have created in me a new thing, a new hunger, a new attitude.

I suppose that to a large extent I am the unsigned manuscript of that teacher.

What deathless power lies in the hands of such a teacher.

It is hard to believe that Sarah has been gone for 6 years. Her spirit, however, remains with us along with beautiful memories. At some point during the last month or so of Sarah's life, she shared her concern that she might be forgotten. That conversation led to the idea of setting up a scholarship in her memory for students at Meadow Wood Elementary who she would have known during the time she taught there. Sarah would be happy to know that the scholarship fund is a reality. Thanks to each and everyone of you who have made this possible. Our heart goes out to you.

In fact, the first Sarah Chidgey Memorial Scholarship will be given to one student from Spring Branch I.S.D. this coming May. The scholarship will provide the selected student at least $1000 per year for four years. I know Sarah would be so proud. There will be five additional scholarships provided in the coming years with a duration of four years each. If you would still like to donate, you may at the following link:

https://cms.springbranchisd.com/sbef/Donate-Now/Donate-Online

Sarah also asked to be remembered through "Shine Bright" gifts to the Alamo Heights School Foundation in San Antonio that will be used to support instruction and inspire teachers. We are glad to report that the collected funds were used provide enrichment experiences for at risk elementary students during this past 2016 summer.

Much love always,
Denise, David, Brooke, & Eric