Madeira Superintendent Kenji Matsudo loves to tell the story of the Made in Madeira scholarship.
He tells it every year at senior night and again at graduation.
"We've witnessed this evening the hard work of so many students," he said last year. "But the fact of the matter is is each and every one our graduating seniors is uniquely special. Parents and relatives, I'm pleased to share with you that each and every one of our graduates will be eligible for the Made in Madeira scholarship on behalf of the estate of Homer Amos."
Amos was an unassuming member of the community, Matsudo will say. He lived a quiet life and was Madeira’s local TV repairman and laundromat owner, with his modest A&S TV Repairs shop on Camargo Road. He lived above it. Amos was part
of the community and his children attended Madeira High School in the '70s. His friend Alan Immerman remembers him as a good repairman, willing to share what he knew with others.
He was also an avid investor, successful in managing and growing his assets. He died in 2016 at the age of 90, and as part of his final wishes shared part of his estate with Madeira High School graduates. His gift of what became more than $800,000 provided the foundation of the Made In Madeira Scholarship.
He also established a scholarship where he came from: Roanoke City Public High Schools in Roanoke, Virginia. Also set up as an equal gift of more than $800,000, this scholarship began providing education assistance to deserving Roanoke grads beginning with the class of 2018.
The Made in Madeira funds have continued to grow as donations have been made in memory of family, friends, alumni, and former teachers by individuals or entire classes in amounts ranging from $10 to $2,500. Long-time former treasurer and friend of Madeira Barb Brewer's estate left a generous gift of nearly $50,000 to the fund. Often graduates will donate parts of their scholarships back to the school in an effort to pay it forward.
Matsudo said the endowment has been set up in such a way that it will live on forever, paying scholarships from interest while protecting the principal. Each Madeira graduating senior who is attending college, entering the military, or enrolling in a career technical program is eligible for a $325 scholarship.
Community members love the story, the scholarship opportunities and the potential to teach students to give back generously.
"We've had three kids graduate from Madeira High School, and at each of their senior awards nights we had the chance to hear the story of Homer Amos and his remarkable generosity. I got a little emotional every time because this man didn't know my kids, and we didn't know him, and yet he chose to invest in every graduate and give them a little boost into their future," said Madeira parent Todd Henry.
"Every time the story is re-told it is a reminder that our generosity echoes in the lives of others and we never know the full extent of those ripple effects," Henry said. "I'm grateful for the legacy of generosity that Mr. Amos has provided for our community. It makes us want to return that generosity in whatever way we can."
At this year's awards night Matsudo gave the grads a charge.
"I hope that this generous Made in Madeira Scholarship given to you by a Madeira community member you never knew sparks an even greater sense of purpose for who you are and who you can become as you leave Madeira High School," he said.
"Being Made in Madeira is not just about what you say, it’s about what you do. Being Made in Madeira is not about how you start, it’s how you finish. It’s not only about who you are but who you can become. Being Made in Madeira is not about getting, it’s about giving," he said.
"And if things aren’t quite perfect or you’ve hit a roadblock or a bump along life’s journey … being Made in Madeira means that it’s never too late to change your path or course of direction because above all else, being Made in Madeira means that you never, ever give up.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Madeira grads got a gift from a stranger to help with what comes next
