Teen honored with Parish-wide memorial endowment

Ascension Fund, a not-for-profit organization that provides grants for public school teachers in Ascension Parish, has announced their newest endowment – the Claire Carline Memorial Endowment Fund.

     The fund is in honor of Claire Carline, a Dutchtown High School teen that suffered a fatal car accident in December 2014.

     “At only 15-years-old, Claire had a very loving and helpful heart,” said Carline’s mother, Lisa Carline, in a press release. “She enjoyed her friends and would often spend her weekends tutoring anyone who would ask. She could see the potential in others, even when they did not.”

     Friends of the Carline family, Ascension Fund board member Michael Buturla and Executive Director Jennifer deFrances, created the Memorial Endowment, as a way to honor Carline through an important part of her life – education.

     “She just really believed in everyone’s potential,” deFrances said. “Education was important to her. The family felt that when we brought it up that it was a good fit and that they would appreciate the opportunity to have Claire’s memory honored every year by giving a grant to a teacher to carry on what Claire felt very important about.”

     Teachers throughout the Parish can apply for the grant until April 21 at 4:30 p.m. through Ascension Fund’s website. The organization rewards two types of grants, an individual Teacher Grant in the amount of either $500 or $1,000 and a $2,500 School Impact Grant.

     The educator chosen to receive the Claire Carline Memorial Endowment, which will provide a teacher the means to create new innovative methods for teaching in the classroom, will be presented a check in August. The Carline family is also invited to attend.

     “Claire would often tell me, ‘I wish they would just believe in themselves,” Lisa Carline added. “They could accomplish so much.’ Claire also had a love and talent for Art. It was a way for her to relax. She spent many hours drawing, only to give it away to her friends. Through her art, Claire was able to share a part of herself with others. This endowment is a way to continue her desire to help others.”

     Donations can mailed for Claire’s endowment to The Ascension Fund at 117 West Ascension St., Gonzales or made online at AscensionFund.com.