Gerald Boland Memorial Scholarship - Be Sweet

Gerald Boland was a teacher and coach in the Lyons, CO schools for 30 years. In that time, he taught over 700 students. In 1959 he was hired as a full-time Biology teach and head football coach, at a yearly salary of $2500 / year. With his wife Cheron, the Bolands quickly fell in love with the town of Lyons, and raised their 3 children there. They lived in Lyons from August 1959 thru September 2013.

In the early hours of September 12, 2013, Gerald and Cheron evacuated their home in separate vehicles, but in the chaos of the evacuation, closed road and flooded bridges, they lost sight of each other and became separated. Gerald eventually drove back home to look for Cheron, and was washed away by the flood. His body was recovered over a week later, and was the only death in the Lyons flood.

While stationed at Camp Polk, LA (19-20 years old), Gerald got his first taste of teaching as he was able to create a tutoring program to help other young men stationed there to earn their GED/High School Equivalency. He was then able to attend college through the GI Bill and was the only member of his family that had the opportunity to attend college.

The Gerald Boland Memorial Scholarship was created in 2014 and is awarded to a graduating Lyons High School senior who displays leadership in academics, school activities and the community.

One day each summer to honor her father's memory, Gerald's daughter Amy rides her bike thru Boulder County covering anywhere from 100 to 200 miles. She calls her ride the "Be Sweet Ride". Gerald's last words to her a few days before the flood were "Be Sweet" as he hugged her goodbye.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BE SWEET FRIENDS IN FITNESS FUNDRAISING EVENT SUPPORTING THE GERALD BOLAND SCHOLARSHIP, PLEASE VISIT: HTTPS://RIDE.BESWEET.FITNESS

 

All donations directly go towards the Gerald Boland Scholarship provided thru the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation.