SCHOLARSHIPS

In the summer of 2019, Jake participated in his first church youth group mission trip to Red Shirt Table on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Oglala County, South Dakota. Their focus was on providing aid and assisting the Lakota children of Red Shirt Table, among the poorest areas within the reservation. By all accounts, Jake brought delight to each day and could always be seen happily carrying children on his shoulders or reading a book to a child nestled comfortably in his lap. His loving spirit naturally drew the kids to him and the children basked in his kindness, energy, sense of humor and always-on personality.

The goal of establishing the Jake Panus Walk On Scholarship was designed to honor Jake’s natural ability to lift up others and spread joy, while producing consequential and lasting benefits for the children of Red Shirt Table. The Jake Panus Walk On Scholarship in partnership with Southport Congregational Church (Southport, CT) and Red Cloud Indian School (Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota) provides annual post-secondary education financial assistance to children from Red Shirt Table who graduate from Red Cloud Indian School and desire to pursue a post-secondary education.

Jake returned home deeply affected by the experience, recognizing not just the incongruence but also the unfairness between his privileged background and the poverty and inequalities on the reservation. The time he spent connecting with and teaching the young children how to read, as well as instructing them on crucial life skills, left Jake yearning to help more. He was intent on bringing positive change for the Lakota children living at Red Shirt Table through his boundless energy. Now, he will forever.

scholarship Recipients

2022
Cheree Ferguson
Ruby Good Buffalo

2023
Victoria Good Buffalo

TO DONATE TO THE JAKE PANUS SCHOLARSHIP FUND, CLICK HERE (Select “Give to Jake Panus Memorial Scholarship Fund”)

Victoria Good Buffalo

One of Jake’s goals was to attend the University of South Carolina, following in his dad’s footsteps. Together, father and son watched every South Carolina football game and bled Garnet & Black. Stephen brought Jake to visit the campus twice (2018 and 2019) and he immediately fell in love with its beauty. As his father, Stephen felt a responsibility to see that Jake realized his dream of getting to the University of South Carolina.

From a conversation with Head Football Coach Shane Beamer emerged a friendship and the genesis of an idea. Shortly thereafter, Stephen sent Shane an email with the concept for the Jake Panus Walk-On Scholarship, which would accomplish Jake’s dream and fulfill his legacy of lifting up others.

The Jake Panus Walk On Scholarship in partnership with the University of South Carolina Football program and athletic department provides a walk-on football player who, through hard work and perseverance, earns an athletic scholarship and contributes toward the success of the University, the Gamecock football team, and the community at large. The student-athlete will share the leadership attributes of Jake, while demonstrating a motivated work ethic, fierce determination, team-first mentality, and grit on the football field.