Three students in Ascension Parish are the recipients of the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office Dawn Shiver’s Memorial Scholarship.

Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley established the scholarship fund in honor of Dawn Shivers, a retired employee of the APSO who passed away in 2013 after a long battle with cancer.

Antonia Asher, East Ascension High School was awarded $1,500.

Courtney Daze, Ascension Catholic High School was awarded $500.

Grace Reames, St. Joseph Catholic School was awarded $500.

Students are selected based on qualities of academic achievement, leadership, and character. Students must attach a transcript and write an essay on someone who has influenced them.

“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,” Wiley said.

Shivers started her career with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office in 1998 as a correctional officer at the Ascension Parish Jail. She acted as a correctional officer for more than 10 years while also serving a dual role in transportation.

In March 2011, Shivers joined the Inmate Programs Division at the jail to provide support to the instructors and tutored inmates.

“Dawn was always professional and dedicated to the program,” said Sheriff Wiley. “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. Dawn believed that the benefit of education, among the other rehabilitation efforts, would help them while they are incarcerated and after they are released.”