Fund Starts To Honor SHS Grad
Ben Graessle Scholarship To Aid Rockingham Students
Posted: February 2, 2013
HARRISONBURG — Although the late Ben Graessle never got the chance to attend and graduate from James Madison University as he planned, Mary Graessle wants other young people to achieve their academic goals in memory of her grandson.
With help from officials in Rockingham County Schools, Graessle, 76, of West Caldwell, N.J., has created a scholarship in memory of Ben, which she hopes will support a graduating Spotswood High School senior’s transition from high school into vocational or trade school.
“Ben’s life ended very tragically and he did not reach his full potential in life,” Graessle said during a telephone interview this week. “I hope that maybe through scholarships some other students can reach the goals that Ben was never allowed to reach because of his tragic ending.”
Ben Graessle, 19, formerly of Elkton, died on Dec. 23 after being shot to death outside an apartment building where he lived on Port Republic Road in Harrisonburg.
Police have charged Dallas Chaplin, 19, of Staunton, with first-degree murder and felony use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in Graessle’s slaying.
Sources say Chaplin shot Graessle while Givi Dudunia, 19, of Staunton, was assaulting him. Dudunia also faces several charges, including accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.
Graessle, a baseball and football player for the Trailblazers, graduated from SHS in 2011. He attended Christopher Newport University for a year and returned to the area to take classes at Blue Ridge Community College.
He was trying to build up enough credits to transfer to JMU.
“He was a lot of fun; bubbly [and] always smiling,” said Mary Graessle, who appreciated regular visits from her grandson. “How many boys 19 and a half come to visit their grandmothers? He was really good; he loved the family.”
Graessle’s mother, Debbie Songer, said her son worked hard for his grades, was well-liked by his peers and teachers and was in the process of becoming a “big brother” through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, which he benefited from as a child.
“He was a very popular kid with a lot of friends,” she said. “I think it’s great that [Mary Graessle] is doing this scholarship for him.”
Mary Graessle, a former educator, said that she thought it was important that the scholarship go to students who may not have plans or means to continue their education, but could benefit from continuing their education through a trade or vocational school.
According to Janet Wendelken, the former executive director of the Rockingham Educational Foundation Inc., who is overseeing the scholarship, the criteria for the scholarship is still being made final.
Wendelken said REFI is hoping to give out the first scholarship in Graessle’s name this spring.
“We appreciate this and we’re glad we can be a part of this,” she said.
Contact Emily Sharrer at 574-6286 or esharrer@dnronline.com
With help from officials in Rockingham County Schools, Graessle, 76, of West Caldwell, N.J., has created a scholarship in memory of Ben, which she hopes will support a graduating Spotswood High School senior’s transition from high school into vocational or trade school.
“Ben’s life ended very tragically and he did not reach his full potential in life,” Graessle said during a telephone interview this week. “I hope that maybe through scholarships some other students can reach the goals that Ben was never allowed to reach because of his tragic ending.”
Ben Graessle, 19, formerly of Elkton, died on Dec. 23 after being shot to death outside an apartment building where he lived on Port Republic Road in Harrisonburg.
Police have charged Dallas Chaplin, 19, of Staunton, with first-degree murder and felony use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in Graessle’s slaying.
Sources say Chaplin shot Graessle while Givi Dudunia, 19, of Staunton, was assaulting him. Dudunia also faces several charges, including accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.
Graessle, a baseball and football player for the Trailblazers, graduated from SHS in 2011. He attended Christopher Newport University for a year and returned to the area to take classes at Blue Ridge Community College.
He was trying to build up enough credits to transfer to JMU.
“He was a lot of fun; bubbly [and] always smiling,” said Mary Graessle, who appreciated regular visits from her grandson. “How many boys 19 and a half come to visit their grandmothers? He was really good; he loved the family.”
Graessle’s mother, Debbie Songer, said her son worked hard for his grades, was well-liked by his peers and teachers and was in the process of becoming a “big brother” through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, which he benefited from as a child.
“He was a very popular kid with a lot of friends,” she said. “I think it’s great that [Mary Graessle] is doing this scholarship for him.”
Mary Graessle, a former educator, said that she thought it was important that the scholarship go to students who may not have plans or means to continue their education, but could benefit from continuing their education through a trade or vocational school.
According to Janet Wendelken, the former executive director of the Rockingham Educational Foundation Inc., who is overseeing the scholarship, the criteria for the scholarship is still being made final.
Wendelken said REFI is hoping to give out the first scholarship in Graessle’s name this spring.
“We appreciate this and we’re glad we can be a part of this,” she said.
Contact Emily Sharrer at 574-6286 or esharrer@dnronline.com