FARMINGTON — On the 20-year anniversary of Jamie Shible’s sudden death, due to complications from lupus, her parents take the time to award a special cheerleader with a scholarship in honor of their daughter.

The award has been handed to 31 cheerleaders over the 20 years it has been in existence. The recipient is always a hard-working, energetic, and competent young lady. This year’s winner is Julia Lowell.

Lowell’s mother describes her as “always being on the look out for the underdog.” She is a naturally empathetic teenager who will grow up to use her skills with art, math, and science at Mt. Ida, where she will study mortuary science. She joined the cheer-leading squad in her final year at Mt. Blue as a bit of an underdog herself, having forgone the field hockey team due to an injury.

The squad did what Lowell’s mother says she does so well, and immediately took her under their wing. They stayed after school and taught her all of the routines and she showed her dedication to the squad by exhibiting that hard work required of a recipient of the Shible Scholarship.

Steve and Julie Shible stood in front of a tree dedicated to the growth of their daughter’s memory and spoke about what 20 years without Jamie feels like. They said the scholarship helps keep her memory alive and it is a continued pleasure to award it to students who, like Jamie, have an undeniably positive spirit for life.

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