Nathaniel Drees Scholoarship Fund

Nathaniel was the type of person where if you really knew him, you got to know how smart, kind, funny and loyal he really was. He loved to talk and tell you about his day and hearing about yours. He loved being silly and making you smile, often doing whatever it took to bring a little laughter to your day. And once he saw that smile, he couldn't help but giggle himself, as if your happiness made everything better. He was just a child who loved fishing, golfing, camping, playing piano, listening to music and singing and making beautiful drawings in his sketchbook. He enjoyed sharing his faith with you too. Nathaniel absolutely loved family and would do anything for them. There was so much more to Nathaniel than words could ever fully capture. He had a bright mind, a big heart, a wonderful sense of humor, and a way of making people feel special. He had dreams, interests, talents, and so much life ahead of him. His story, although heartbreakingly shorter than it should have been, deserves to continue. That is why we want to create the Nathaniel Drees Scholarship. We want to honor Nathaniel by creating something that allows his life to continue making a difference in the lives of others. A scholarship is more than financial assistance. It is an opportunity. It is encouragement. It is a reminder to a young person that someone believes in them and wants to see them succeed, like Nathaniel would have wanted you to. Through this scholarship, we hope to support students as they pursue their education, discover their talents, follow their passions, and work toward their dreams. We want to celebrate the qualities that made Nathaniel so special: kindness, intelligence, loyalty, creativity, faith, and a love for life. Our hope is that every student who receives this scholarship will carry a little piece of Nathaniel's legacy with them. Whether they are pursuing college, a trade, the arts, or another path toward their future, we want to help open doors and create opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Our goal is to turn the love we have for Nathaniel into something that continues to grow. We cannot change the story of what happened to Nathaniel, and we cannot have back the moments we wish we could share with him. But we can choose to do something meaningful with the love, memories, and impact he left behind. We invite our family, friends, community, and everyone whose life Nathaniel touched to become part of this journey. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help us build something lasting in his honor. Our hope is that years from now, students will have opportunities they might not otherwise have had because of Nathaniel. That his name will be spoken, his story will be shared, and his kindness will continue to make a difference. Nathaniel's time with us was far too short, but his impact doesn't have to be. Through this scholarship, his light can continue to shine. He was a child who loved life, loved people, and had so many different interests. I think his scholarship should reflect all of that. The ultimate message is that Nathaniel's life mattered, his story deserves to be told, and the love he gave to others can continue changing lives. Thank you! - Joe and Santi Drees and family