Honor Shannon Stergis' life via scholarship

At the beginning of November, Shannon Stergis’ family found out that Shannon, 27, had tragically passed away. The Stergis family and close friends are devastated by this. More than that, though, we are dedicated to honoring Shannon and her life—and what she would’ve wanted us to create in her memory. Shannon was and is exuberant, funny, and a true healing force to her family and closest friends: a true angel and example of what it looks like to create and foster community. Shannon was and always will be well loved, and a bright light in the world.

For the last few years, she sought solace in the beautiful hills of Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia where she lived and worked. She loved her Bath & Body Works candles, traveling, baking her famous banana bread, and tidyness. Shannon had hopes of marriage, children, and owning a home, and even hoped to write a book or memoir about overcoming anxiety and cultivating self-love.

Like many nurses and healthcare professionals, she faced anxiety from the whiplash of ongoing pressure and gaslighting surrounding the ongoing COVID pandemic. Those who risked their own lives to fight through misinformation and unprecedented mortality know that the long-term effect of COVID and its impact on many people's mental health is far from finished.

In honor of Shannon’s commitment to fostering care for others—especially in her drive to help others navigate their own mental health struggles, and her love for children and their bright potential—we are creating a scholarship in her name. We are hoping to support students from the school she worked at as a nurse as they explore and endure what the world around them means and how it affects their own mental health. The scholarship will specifically benefit young students at Sojourner Truth Montessori School. It will champion the study of both medical and mental health sciences, supporting young people who have looked up to (Nurse) Shannon as a role model and confidant.

Sojourner Truth Montessori school stands by two principles : “Students need to be prepared for life and not just school, and every student’s identity, voice, perspective, and choice matter.” This mission was and is so aligned with how Shannon showed up in the world and in her communities.

We’d be so grateful and honored by any donations to this fund to create a scholarship for these students whose lives Shannon touched so deeply and profoundly. Our goal is to earn all funds by the end of 2023 so that the scholarship can be provided in the new year in 2024. Beyond this year, we’ll be setting up an ongoing scholarship fund with our own money, but are eternally grateful for any help we receive in initially setting it up. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family is requesting that donations simply be made to this fundraiser in any amount you would have spent.

If you are in crisis over this news, please know you’re not alone. The Stergis family and friends will be holding a service this week, and would equally love to talk with you about your love for and memories with Shannon. Otherwise, additionally, we want to provide the number for the 24/7 Crisis Textline/hotline : Text HOME to 741741.

For context, I am a friend of the family's raising funds for them to transfer to them and create this scholarship.