Gallery • 4 Photos

Justin Hannasch

John Francis graduated Stillwater High School in 2000 and went to college for Ministry. His scholarship is in his honor after he lost his life climbing a mountain in Idaho in 2006. It took a year to find is body but his family never gave up. You can read all about the process in finding Jon in the book his dad David wrote.

Senior year is one of the busiest and stressful years for a high school student. Not only do seniors need to worry about homework and extracurricular activities, but now they must worry about college applications and scholarships. One big part to all these scholarships is the Stillwater High School Community Scholarship Application. Filled with pages and pages of local scholarships just for SAHS seniors, they can apply for certain scholarships that they qualify for. One of these scholarships has much more of a story behind it than one would think.

In July of 2006, a Stillwater graduate and gifted runner, Jon Francis, climbed The Grand Mogul in Idaho but never returned down. After days of searching, the local law enforcement had nothing.

“It’s time to give your son up to the mountain, they told me,” recalled David Francis, Jon’s father.

David and Linda Francis desperately needed closure. They needed to find their son and lay him to rest at home in Minnesota. Then, after a year of searching with volunteers and rescuers, David and Linda Francis, found Jon’s remains and finally were able to bring their son home. Since then, David and Linda have started the Jon Francis Foundation, wrote a book about their search and Jon’s life and now even have a scholarship for SAHS seniors in the Community Scholarship application.

White Pony Center counselor Sandra Weaver commented on this unique scholarship. “What is unique about this scholarship is Jon’s dad who runs the foundation is willing to give a free copy of the book that he wrote Bringing Jon Home to anyone who applies for the scholarship,” said Weaver.

“We started this scholarship to really honor Jon’s life because he really was a great kid. Every year we honor a student at Stillwater in his memory. I think even though the scholarship isn’t a ton of money, it can only buy a few books and such, but there is a sense of pride I think when it comes to winning this award. Past winners have told me that out of all the scholarships they have won, this one really meant a lot. That joy is what keeps this scholarship going and really is what brings me joy,” explained David Francis.

Not only has Stillwater resident and Jon’s father, David Francis, created a foundation in Jon’s honor, he also teaches the only wilderness training course in Minnesota that helps prevent certain dangers.

“Our program really aims to teach the skills for preventing these disasters. Survival skills are great but they don’t teach you how to prevent an accident that could happen. This program really tries to help aid that problem,” Francis said.

David Francis has even also wrote a successful book as talked about earlier. This book was even selected as a finalist for the 2011 Indie Excellence Award for memoir writing. The applicants for this scholarship are required to read this highly successful book, and then write about their feelings after reading the book, and how they hope to make a positive difference in this world.

Cross Country and Nordic Ski Captain, senior Sam Hanson is one of many applying for the scholarship. He even is in the same sports as Jon was: Track, Cross Country and Nordic Skiing. He talks about his thoughts on this incredible opportunity. “I think it’s really cool what David and Linda did. I don’t think a lot of people that would go through that tragedy like they did, and end up turning a bad situation into such a good situation like the Jon Francis Foundation and something that helps the community so much,” explained Hanson.

When looking at any situation no matter how hard or challenging, it’s always important to try and bring out something good or positive. The Stillwater community can see this in the Jon Francis Scholarship and the Jon Francis Foundation. David and Linda Francis turned a very tragic event into something that not only helps a lot of people, but means something as well.

Senior Nick Yokanovich said, “I am glad this scholarship means so much because it recognizes all the memorable things that Jon did as a member of the Track and Cross Country team as well as in school. I am glad the Jon Francis Foundation continues to help the Stillwater High School students as well as remember Jon.”

Turning something bad into good. A difficult concept for many but for some it mean more of an opportunity. Within this scholarship, students can see not only the value in turning any situation into good but to value our time. Time is so precise and everyday is a new day to make a difference in this great community; and like David Francis said best, “You never know what a new day will bring or what will happen. My advice is live everyday to the fullest like I know Jon did, and you will make a difference.”