ZACK H. BACON IV SCHOLARSHIP FUND
INTEGRITY, OPTIMISM and a Strong Sense of Humor The Zack H. Bacon IV Scholarship Fund was established by his family and friends in 2005 to provide college financial support. Recipients of the scholarship are to be R. J. Reynolds High School graduates who have overcome life’s challenges with integrity, optimism and a strong sense of humor. The model for those qualities is Zack Bacon, born with a rare chromosomal abnormality that affects mental and physical development.
giving money away dug deep in their pockets
ZACK’S MOTHER, EVE BACON, TALKS ABOUT THE WAYS IN WHICH ZACK GAVE TO REYNOLDS HIGH SCHOOL AND WHAT HE GOT IN RETURN.
Foundation and have it set up as a scholarship in Zack’s name to help fund col-
and contributed. More than 400 Reynolds students pulled out their lunch money to donate nearly $600. We raised $120,000 — more than twice what was needed for the project. The Crosses suggested that we give the extra money to The Winston-Salem
lege education for deserving athletes who have overcome challenges. I was deeply honored. I knew that the Foundation has a tremendous reputation in the philan-
WHEN DOUG AND MARY BETH CROSS asked for my permission to name the new locker room at Reynolds High School for Zack, I was extremely happy for the school. And for Zack. For five years, Zack loved being a manager of the varsity football, basketball and baseball teams. He poured water. Timed runners. Laundered uniforms.
thropic community for raising money and supporting charitable causes. Everything about the scholarship concept was exciting and fulfilling, until it was time to choose a recipient. Each of the eight applicants was fully deserving. They had all overcome some remarkable adversity. It was nearly impossible to choose among them. So, we didn’t. We picked
Painted the fields. And wiped up sweat. His wonderful attitude and sense of
two of Zack’s classmates — Justin Henderson will attend Ferrum College and
humor touched a lot of the athletes he served. And through their relationship
William Sartin is enrolled at Clemson.
with him, they, too, became a little braver. When we started raising money for the new locker room, I was overwhelmed by so many heartwarming examples of generosity. People who had no business
Being involved in sports with those boys and others from 15 different varsity teams gave Zack more than I could ever give him. It gave him bonds and lasting friendships.