SOUTH GRADUATE RECEIVES ARIANNE LANE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

A 2021 graduate of Centennial who just completed his second year of studies at the University of Denver, Hurliman Scholar Rick Lane’s most cherished role is serving as Chairman of “The Arianne Lane Memorial Scholarship – Because Every Moment Counts” (formally known as the Arianne Creative Arts Scholarship: Because Every Moment Counts).

 

Created to honor the memory of his sister Arianne, the fund annually distributes a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving Pueblo graduating senior who, like Arianne did, has a passion for the visual arts.

 

This year, Lynne-Estelle Dohle, a member of the South Class of 2023, received the scholarship during an awards assembly at the school. As part of her application for the scholarship, Lynne-Estelle was required to create an original piece of art that will grace one of the cards sold as part of the 2023 Arianne Lane collection.

 

In addition to this scholarship, Lynne-Estelle received endowments and/or offers to the University of Denver, Colorado State University, California Lutheran University, Arizona State University and Pueblo Community College collectively valued at more than $150,000.

 

Diagnosed with cancer at age 4 – more than a decade before Rick was born – Arianne Lane began an inspirational medical odyssey that was documented by People magazine and Dateline NBC and caught the attention of musical giants Alabama and Garth Brooks, as well as the Colorado Rockies.

 

“In 1994, at diagnosis, she was given a 0 to 5 percent chance of survival,” Rick explained. “And yet with the help of modern medicine, inner strength, pure tenacity and unwavering faith, she survived for an additional 25 years.

 

"Not independent enough as a disabled adult to live on her own, she lived in our family home and was the center of our life and defined our family.”

 

Upon his sister’s passing in 2019, Rick founded the Arianne Creative Arts Scholarship Fund Board and established an endowment in her honor.

 

To fund the scholarship, Rick and the Scholarship Fund Board members rely on Arianne’s love of creating hand-made cards.

 

"Arianne had a small hand-made card business that she ran out of our basement, which gave her pride, purpose and a little spending money,” Rick said. “Our Scholarship Fund Board -- including fellow Centennial alumni Bryson Arnott and Josh Thatcher -- sells the card inventory she had on hand at craft shows, local businesses, word-of-mouth and online at ETSY.”

 

As her original cards sell out, the Board, along with family and friends, continue to make more of her designs by hosting an annual “Keeping the Door to Arianne’s Life Open Card Making Day.” The 2023 event will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. August 2 -- the 4th anniversary of her passing -- at the George Williams Pavilion at City Park.

 

In addition to helping make new cards that will be sold at craft shows, participants will have the opportunity to make and take home a souvenir card that was started by Arianne but never finished.

 

This year, The Arianne Lane Memorial Scholarship received 501(c)(3) non-profit status, with the scholarship now fully endowed.

 

"This $1,000 non-renewable annual scholarship will now live beyond all of us,” Rick said. “Now, we are currently working on increasing the endowment to allow for a 4-year renewable scholarship of $5,000 that would equate to $20,000 for each recipient.

 

“Someday, we will hear a Pueblo high school graduate announce, “I have received ‘The Arianne.’”

 

A 2022 fundraiser for the scholarship saw a trip for two to Hawaii awarded, with two current fundraisers in play: a drawing for two Club Level tickets to the June 14 Rockies vs. Yankees baseball game at Coors Field and the first Arianne Lane Memorial Golf Tournament at the Pueblo Country Club on August 4.

 

For information on these fundraisers, contact Rick at ArianneScholarship@gmail.com.