The Stephen Noel Pay it Forward Scholarship

The Stephen Noel “Pay It Forward” Scholarship

Stephen’s family thanks you for your caring, kindness, and support. Stephen died from an inoperable brain tumor at the age of 49 on December 10, 2024. He got a terrible headache and was taken to the hospital. The next 47 days were the shortest and longest days of our lives. Stephen and his family often talked about the people who sent beautiful messages, gifts, and donations who we knew, together and separately. Thank you. Please know you have made a significant difference in our lives.

Stephen also talked about his daughters, family, friends, work, and dreams. We told him about people who had entered our lives that he did not know, but who cared deeply about all of us at this time. We cannot begin to tell you what your kindness has meant to Stephen and his family.

We all acknowledge that our hearts are broken. We promised Stephen we would carry on. You are also part of this new journey. Thank you. We feel your presence and please know you are part of our grieving, remembering and honoring Stephen.

I am working on the new Stephen Noel “Pay It Forward” Scholarship at The Ambassador Foundation (TAF) where I am the Director of College Advising and a Co-Founder. TAF is a non-profit organization that supports 200 students, ages 15 and older from under-represented populations who seek advice and assistance with all aspects of the college application process, leadership development, support in school and graduation. We have refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers and asylees, DACA, undocumented, students from multi-cultural homes, and first generation and multi-language speakers who want to make higher education a reality. We have students from 48 high schools, and 46 countries who speak 44 languages.

The Stephen Noel “Pay It Forward” Scholarship will be for students in college, trade school and graduate school who are facing unexpected financial hurdles as they work on their degrees and certificates. TAF already has an on-going scholarship program for college-bound high school seniors. All The Ambassador Foundation students are and will be helping their peers. I hope you will spread the word. Donations are tax exempt.

This scholarship is one way I can keep my promise to Stephen, and friends and family can continue to honor his memory.  

Joni Noel, Stephen's Mother and Director of College Advising at The Ambassador Foundation.