Shorewood High School has added a new scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year, thanks to Jon Reddin, class of '63. The idea for the scholarship, honoring one of their classmates who was killed in the Vietnam War, came about during their 60th class reunion.

Mike O'Donnell, a U.S. Army helicopter pilot in Vietnam, was killed on March 24, 1970, while flying a rescue mission in Cambodia. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. During his time in the military, O'Donnell used poetry as a creative outlet to process the events of the war. In one of his poems, he wrote, "If you are able, save for them a place inside of you, and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go."

“Mike’s message is as relevant and important today as it was in 1970 when he wrote it,” says Reddin. What started as a one-man operation has since evolved into an effort by the entire SHS class of '63, with members contributing generously. “We were fortunate to receive a donation of the money left over from the 60th reunion,” says Reddin.

Given O'Donnell’s deep interest in writing and poetry, the Michael D. O'Donnell Memorial Scholarship will provide financial assistance to a Shorewood High School graduate who has shown a particular interest in the fine arts, including poetry, literature, music, and the performing arts.