A family grateful to a group of second graders who showed true friendship to their dying son ten years ago have awarded 13 scholarships to graduating Marcus seniors who were Tom Hammerle’s classmates at McAuliffe Elementary school in Highland Village back in 1999.

      Virginia Hammerle says her son Tom was a funny, bright and active seven year old when he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in September of 1998. “Tom finished 2nd grade, through the help of the school community and his friends.  The students at the school were the most loving children we have ever met. They helped him when he grew weak from chemo, pushed his wheelchair when the tumor affected the use of his legs, read to him, sent him letters when he was in the hospital, and drew pictures that were made into a quilt (which stayed on his bed, at his insistence, for his last months). Tom died at home on July 25, 1999,” reflected Virginia Hammerle.

      The friendship those students extended to Tom did not end with his death. “After Tom passed away, his classmates and the school continued to do things in his memory. For years students would write in class assignments that they wanted to be doctors when they grew up so they could find a cure for cancer. Several of his friends organized a Cancer Run and raised over $5,000 for cancer research.  His second grade teacher donated a tree in his memory.  Several of the classes had fundraisers where the teachers and students contributed money to wear hats or jeans.  Every year McAuliffe celebrates Tom’s day. The children always receive ice cream and do something fun in his memory,” Hammerle said. In the years since his death, his family has awarded one or two scholarships each year through an endowment with the Lewisville Education Foundation. This year, to honor those friendships made a decade ago, the Hammerle’s decided to add 12 additional scholarships for those Marcus graduates who had been Tom’s fellow second graders at McAuliffe.

      At a ceremony last week, 13 students accepted those scholarships. They are Emily Irene Block, Kevin Boes, Jenna Bohannan, Will Bunnett, Morgan Chidsey, John Cameron Davis, Alex Finley, Chase Henley, Katherine Janes, Jared LeBon, Laren Ondracek, Jennifer Riding and

      Andrew Tarlton. His mother said his family, including sister Sarah, would like people to remember Tom and the joy he brought. “We hope that memory will bring a smile to their faces, and help them find courage when they reach a rough patch in their own life.   For his classmates, we want them to know that the friendship they showed to Tom will always be remembered and treasured,” she said.