The Next Generation Remembers Katie Gillihan

Benicia's community was saddened by the death of three months ago. Her friend David Anderson wanted to find a way to honor and remember her. He spoke to Gillihan's mother Donna, about starting a scholarship in her name. “I was devastated when Katie died,” said Anderson. “She had so much life and so much energy. I wanted to do something to help remember her.”

Donna Gillihan is an instructional assistant for special education students at Benicia Middle School. Her longtime friend and fellow teacher Kathy Malone was eager to help get the ball rolling. The two met with Kathleen Wallace, a guidance counselor at Benicia High and within three short weeks, the group established a $1,000 scholarship and a recipient was chosen.

The award was funded by Color, a charitable organization founded by Anderson and friends Jen and Scott Longheyer. The three started the philanthropic non-profit after a tsunami ravaged Indonesia and surrounding areas in 2004. Color focuses on helping overseas areas devastated by natural disasters. Anderson himself has traveled to Thailand three times to an orphanage that Color supports.

A , Gillihan was known for her exuberance, her playful hair color, music and her artistic talent, so the award is called the Katie Gillihan Scholarship for the Arts. Most scholarships are awarded based on academic performance. “Katie's scholarship is not based on grades, but on arts, talent and the will to go to college, without the ability to do so,” Malone explained.

Wallace met with Benicia High teachers to seek out candidates and made the recommendations to Malone and Donna Gillihan. “If all three are aligned on the recipient, then I am okay with it,” said Anderson who didn't get a chance to interview any of the candidates.

It was decided that no one better deserved the award than Alura Warren-Barnes. Her teachers had nothing but praise for Warren-Barnes' talent and ambition. Sadly, she lost her own mother at a young age and is currently 8 months pregnant. “She has been raising herself,” said Malone. “Alura has struggled in school her whole life but is determined to go to college.”

Warren-Barnes knew she was receiving a scholarship but did know it was the Katie Gillihan award until her name was called. “I was really surprised,” said a soft-spoken Warner-Barnes. She plans to attend DVC in the fall to begin at the Culinary Arts program and hopes to someday own her own restaurant.

Gillihan's brother Chad presented the award to Warren-Barnes, with Anderson at his side. “I've become closer to Donna since his happened,” said Anderson. In the audience, Malone and Donna Gillihan sat with Chad Gillihan's wife Cynthia and 1-month old baby Kadence Taylor Gillihan, who's middle name was chosen in honor of Katie. “We needed this saving grace at this point in our lives,” said Chad Gillihan of his newborn daughter who slept peacefully during the presentation.

Anderson cleverly set up a 20-year annuity fund for the scholarship so it will be funded for at least that long. Beginning next year  an application process will be put in place. To be eligible, students must be college-bound or headed for art school. Although it's not required, it doesn't hurt your chances to have a colorful hairstyle.