James Tate Scholarship Fund Underway

“The James Tate Senior Prom 2011” efforts are not in vain. Though there will be no need for an alternative event since Tate's punishment has been revoked, the volunteers behind it are now using the public support to create a scholarship fund.

The was created by 25-year-old Christian Iannucci, a 2004 Shelton High School grad and Boston resident who knew Tate slightly when he heard the news of the prom ban. According to Iannucci, a core group of Sheltonians and their friends were behind the alternative prom idea, including: Matt Hartke, a Hawaiian musician who created the folk song on the alternative prom website’s music page; Mike Bifulco, a Microsoft engineer who created Facebook widgets for the page; Joshua Bednarsky, founder of the Anaheim Film Festival, who is running all Twitter feeds; and Daniel Andrew, a Harvard University graduate who is handling purchases of all T-shirts and created logos and banners for the website.

The money raised from those T-shirt sales and monetary donations will be put towards a scholarship.

"After a long conversation with the family regarding the best use of the donation money for the alternative prom, we determined that creating a scholarship in James Tate's name would be the most beneficial use of our funds," Iannucci said.

Recepient of the honor will be an SHS students that "exemplifies creative expression, youth empowerment, integrity and grace," according to Iannucci -- qualities he and his friends feel Tate has shown throughout the past week. The scholarship will be given to a graduating senior during graduation.

Those wishing to show their support and contribute to the fund can do so today at three locations from 2:30 - 6 p.m.: Splash Car Wash at 376 Bridgeport Ave., Liquid Lunch at 434 Howe Ave, and The Doughnut Center at 520 Shelton Ave. Team Tate will be selling "Team Tate" T- shirts which will fund the James Tate Scholarship fund.