Although Amari Quarles died in his efforts to save his younger brother from drowning, his legacy will live on through a scholarship in his name at the high school he attended prior to his heroic deed.
Amari was posthumously awarded the Carnegie Medal after attempting to save Elijah, then 13, in rough conditions in the Sacramento River near Sand Cove Park.
Although it took several months for Amari’s father, James Sashe, to establish the scholarship, a non-profit organization officially known as the Amari Quarles Memorial Scholarship Foundation, the initial idea came to the family much earlier than that.
“We actually thought about it the third or fourth day (after) he passed away,” Sashe said. “The reason was because one, (it was a way) to honor him in a way that would last a lifetime. (And second, it) was for the honorable student that he was. Amari had a 4.13 GPA, which is amazing.”
Scholarships are available to seniors at Natomas High School in Sacramento, where Amari attended the previous school year after moving from New York. Sashe said they chose to keep it in California because that’s where Amari died.
“We’re doing it to honor the fact that he passed away out there, and it’s so much more meaningful,” Sashe said.
Sashe stressed that although Amari was academically inclined, having a high GPA is not a requirement for this scholarship.
“The biggest message is to let kids have a second chance,” Sashe said. “We’re aiming for kids that might’ve done things in the community, kids that may not have the opportunity to go to school. One thing we learned is that the kids that get the scholarships are the kids with the tremendous GPAs. It doesn’t mean that a child that has an 80 average cannot be just as successful in life.”
The scholarship’s first recipient, Natomas High School recent graduate Jose Guillen, was awarded $500 in May, though the amount moving forward will be $1,000 annually. The fund currently holds about $9,750, and Sashe said he has built it up through the GoFundMe fundraiser, the monetary grant from Amari’s Carnegie Hero award, and proceeds from auctions of sports memorabilia.
The recipient was chosen by the school this year, Sashe explained, as he has been working diligently to build the foundation, but he said Jose is very deserving with both a high GPA and involvement in the community.
“I do believe he was a great candidate, once I did read his profile. He never was in trouble, and that’s very hard in the city. And the community service, he worked with a lot of young kids.”
Sashe said Jose’s work included volunteering for church, school, and local theater.
“The other thing that stuck out is that he brought back the talent show for the school, which was something that hadn’t happened in six years,” Sashe said.
Jose said receiving the scholarship made him feel “seen” to be chosen as the first recipient.
“Not only seen, but (I) also (was) emotional knowing the story behind his scholarship and how touching it is,” he said. “Hearing Amari’s story really hit close to home as I have many younger siblings who I would do anything for. Knowing that his final breaths were taken trying to save his brother just brings me so much respect to him and his actions. I know that what he did was out of love and was truly an act of pure heroism.”
Jose added that the money from the scholarship will aid him with purchasing school supplies; he intends to pursue a general education degree, but is still deciding on a career path.
“I do know that I want to help people, it is something that really brings me joy and always opens a door for new experiences.”
Sashe is looking forward to having a board to select the recipient next year.
“Our members will read what the kids write, and we’ll be able to pick the student,” he said.
Sashe is working on creating a Web site that will have information about the scholarship and how to apply. Donations for the scholarship can be made at https://gofund.me/c7084520.
— Missy A. McLaughlin,
case investigator