Criteria

The recipient is a student who has shown outstanding improvement from his/her own initiative.

Background

Joe Fox was born on June 4, 1971 and grew up on Fidalgo Island, fishing, sailing, canoeing and swimming in Trafton Lake or exploring the woods near his home. As a teenager, Joe’s mother bought him a motorcycle as an incentive to improve his grades and soon after he began motorcycle racing in Bellingham every weekend. Joe loved adventure and he often spoke of his desire to attend University of Hawaii.  However, on June 26, 1988, in the summer between his junior and senior years at Anacortes High School, Joe died of injuries after being hit by a drunk driver.  He was a young man who always enjoyed life to the fullest, but he is also remembered for the big heart he had for others in need.  His mother, who taught high-risk teens, established this fund in her son’s memory.