Sheriff Wiley awards recipients of the Dawn Shivers Memorial Scholarship Program

Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley established a scholarship fund for graduating high school seniors in honor of Dawn Shivers, a retired employee of the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office. Dawn passed away in May 2013 fighting a long battle with cancer.

The following students were the recipients of this award:

Parker Vige, East Ascension High School- $1,250

Britt Alexander, St. Amant High School- $500

Tyler Broussard, St. Amant High School- $500

The purpose of the Dawn Shivers Memorial Scholarship fund is to honor her sweet spirit and continue her legacy as a vessel through Christ, and to also encourage others who may be fighting the same cancer battles to keep pushing and stay strong.

Shivers started her career with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office in 1998 as a correctional officer at the Ascension Parish Jail. She shared dual roles between transportation, where she transported inmates, and acted as a correctional officer for over ten years.

In March of 2011 Shivers joined the Inmate Programs Division in the jail to provide support to the instructors and tutored students in the GED/ Literacy program. She was always professional and dedicated to the program. Her interactions with the inmates were always encouraging and positive. She played all the roles of a good steward in that she was a counselor, a guide, and teacher to the many inmates she helped towards them earning their GED while incarcerated. Shivers believed that the benefit of education, among the other rehabilitation efforts, would help them while they are incarcerated and after they are released.

Most knew about her battle with bone cancer, but her attitude was always positive and upbeat. In many ways Shivers’s spirit and service to her family, workplace, church, and community was her own personal ministry of help and excellence.

The Dawn Shivers Memorial scholarship will continue to honor one of Ascension Parish Sheriff’s finest.