<< Return to Foundation Focus Page Building a "Brave New World" Nicole Kolberg (left) and Jessica Holden (right) honor their parents with the establishment of the Lapomarda Family Scholarship Fund As teenagers Jessica Holden and Nicole Kolberg were given to some good natured eye rolling when their father Larry Lapomarda woke them for school each morning saying "It's time to go build a brave new world!" As adults, it's obvious they were listening. The sisters, now both married and mothers of young children themselves, recently established the Lapomarda Family Scholarship Fund in memory of their father and mother, both of whom died within two months of each other in the fall of 2004. The Fund will provide a scholarship for an outstanding athlete/scholar at Orchard View High School . It is the first Scholarship Fund established at the Foundation to specifically benefit Orchard View students and will be available beginning with the graduating class of 2006. "Our parents died at such a young age, they were only in their 50s, it seemed unfair not to let something live on for the two of them," notes Jessica Holden. Larry "Mr. Lap" Lapomarda was a beloved Orchard View English and History teacher as well as athletic coach for almost 30 years before retiring in 1998. He continued to work for the community education program as well as to coach 8th grade girls' basketball and work as an umpire and football announcer even during chemotherapy treatment for cancer. His wife Carole was a loving homemaker who 'dabbled" with part time jobs and hobbies throughout their marriage of more than 34 years. The couple had vastly different personalities, remembers Nicole Kolberg, but complemented each other beautifully. "Mom was feisty and determined and always had a lot to say," she says. "Dad was laid back and calm. He often just sat back and let mom talk." By establishing the Fund, Holden, 32, and Kolberg, 25, join a growing number of young adults who appreciate the benefits of philanthropy. For just such a reason the Foundation's Next Generation committee, comprised of people ages 24-45, has been established to develop and empower the next generation of Muskegon County philanthropists. Both daughters say they are left with warm memories of trips to Wisconsin , sunny summer weeks at Bear Lake near Manistee and spring breaks in Florida . "They loved life and were very active," says Kolberg, "There was never a dull moment." "And they were great parents and wonderful grandparents. They were always giving," adds Holden. "They would have loved the scholarship Fund. I think it is also helpful for us to do this; it is very healing." Larry and Carole Lapomarda would be proud to know their daughters are following their father's admonition to go forward and "build a brave new world" indeed. << Return to Foundation Focus Page