After the death of their son William in December 2017, Brad and Donna Burton started the William Burton Spirit of the Eagle Scholarship in memory of the Granite Hills High School senior and student athlete. So far, a $1,000 scholarship has been awarded to a Granite Hills senior for the past five years.
Now, the Burton’s have collaborated with the Grossmont Union High School District in creating an account to the scholarship fund from the public and created a new website to facilitate public donations to keep the scholarship funding Granite Hill students for years to come. The Burton family were longtime residents of the Alpine community, but after deciding they needed a change, moved to Santee.
Brad Burton said so far with the scholarships the family has provided the funding.
“We have had some help,” he said. “We have received some donations from outside and every year on William’s birthday, family members donate to the scholarship in his memory.”
But he said that the family would like to continue the scholarship in remembrance of William and helping other seniors out with their educational goals.
“With the new partnership with the school district and the new website, people can donate directly to the scholarship fund,” he said. “We ask teachers and staff each year to nominate students who they believe deserve the scholarship. This is a great partnership, and it keeps the scholarship going for deserving students. William was a great student, played football and baseball, and loved sports. We want to keep honoring him through this scholarship.”
William, a three-time league champion with the Eagles football team and an all-county honoree in the sport, was being recruited in both football and baseball at the time of his death.
Brad Burton, said along with his wife and William’s brothers Jacob and Zachary, they wish to honor and remember William’s bravery, kindness, patriotism, individuality, and his love for Granite Hills High School by awarding one graduating senior each year with The William Burton Spirit of the Eagle Scholarship. The Burton family will select a senior who has been kind to fellow students and has demonstrated the courage to take risks and stand up for their beliefs. The senior chosen will also be a student who has exhibited individuality and is recognized as a patriotic American. The recipient will have his/ her name engraved on the William Burton Spirit of the Eagle Trophy displayed at Granite Hills High School and receive a check in the amount of $500.00 – $1,000 to spend at his/her own discretion. For more information, visit www.williamburtonspiritoftheeagle.com.
