Last year at Clearview Regional High School, a student received the John Anthony Fiocco Jr. Memorial Scholarship for being an artistic student athlete with a GPA above 3.0 who demonstrated integrity and strong character traits, all things that describe John Fiocco Jr.
After passing away in late March 2006, Fiocco left quite an impression on the College and on his high school alma mater.
"It was like there was a black cloud over us," Kevin Kitchenman, principal of Clearview, said. "John's brother and sister (Nicholas and Kelly Fiocco) were attending Clearview while everything was happening. It was very hard for them and all their friends. It really hit the ones that knew him."
Family, friends and fellow classmates of Fiocco came together to make sure he would not be forgotten. They took donations and sold wristbands with Fiocco's name inscribed on them for $5 each to fund a memorial scholarship. Donations can be made to the scholarship fund at any Commerce Bank location.
A Web site was also created in memory of Fiocco. The Web site, johnnyfiocco.com, features photographs of Fiocco and his friends and family along with a message board, guestbook and music by Green Day and Kenny Chesney.
The Web site also offers general information on Fiocco's memorial scholarship and how to fund it. The homepage of the Web site features a poem about Fiocco next to a clipping from Clearview's 2006 yearbook, a page dedicated to Fiocco from his parents.
Friends, family and people who have never even met Fiocco use the message board as a way to stay connected with him. They share stories, wishes and photos and send their prayers out to Fiocco and his family.
"I noticed a change (in the atmosphere) only when it first occurred," Kitchenman said. "The students and staff did an amazing job of rallying and supporting each other."
