Fundraiser for Caruso scholarship proves a success

Despite uncertain economic times, community supporters contributed generously to the Tyler Brett Caruso Memorial Scholarship fund during a May 28 concert fundraiser in downtown St. Charles.

For the seventh consecutive year, friends, family and other supporters celebrated the life of the St. Charles East honors student, musician, athlete and community leader who died in 2002 of an apparent cardiac arrest. Nearly $2,000 was raised at the event, presented by the Downtown St. Charles Partnership in conjunction with the St. Charles Park District.

The evening concert at Lincoln Park was attended by more than 250 people, and it united musical artists affiliated with St. Charles East and North high schools. It had long been his dream to create a concert featuring both schools, and upon his death, friends and family made that dream a reality.

Each year, donations collected at the concert and throughout the year benefit scholarship recipients. To date, 18 scholarships have been awarded in Tyler's memory, said his mother, Marilyn Caruso of St. Charles.

"The Caruso family is overwhelmed, once again, with the generosity of St. Charles and the surrounding communities," she said. "The record-breaking contributions at this year's concert confirm the heartfelt support of Tyler's fund."

For the 2008-09 school year, four local students each were awarded a $1,000 Tyler Brett Caruso Memorial Scholarship. The recipients, who were presented with the awards in mid-May, are Courtney Michelle Clauer, Alexandra Beth Clausen and Paul Daniel De Bord of St. Charles East High School, and Michael Edward Backer of St. Charles North High School.

The four also attended the concert, organized by juniors Jacki Coppes of St. Charles North and Sarah LeFevre of St. Charles East. As student representatives on the Downtown St. Charles Partnership board of directors, Jacki and Sarah were actively involved in fundraising for the concert, as well as promotions and coordination of the concert performers: Helen Gerts of St. Charles North High School; St. Charles East Jazz Workshop; and four bands, StrangeLove, This Could Be Tricky, Prince of Wales and Davis Bridge.

"We are thankful for the dedicated organizers of the annual concert and the talented musicians who entertain our audiences each year," Caruso said. "It is due to this grand support that the total scholarships continue to grow, as we remember Tyler's commitment to so many causes. We look forward to the 2010 scholarship awards and another spectacular concert next May."

Tyler's commitment to family, friends, school and volunteer service touched many lives. He was a student leader who devoted countless hours to the betterment of his school and community, and whose accolades were numerous: student council executive board president, defensive captain of the varsity football team, STCE Jazz Workshop and STCE Wind Ensemble musician, Peer Leadership Advisor, National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (National Math Honor Society) member, project director of HOPE, and student adviser of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership.

He achieved Upstate Eight Academic All Conference and ranked in the top 5 percent of his class. He was a great humanitarian and enjoyed participating in organizations that helped build a stronger society, like Drug Abuse Resistance Education and Youth Coalition (foundation for the establishment of the STC Underground Teen Center).

Tyler would have been a 2003 graduate of St. Charles East High School. For more information, visit dtown.org or call the Partnership office at (630) 513-5386.