Poker tournament raises $10,000 to help disabled students

The Christopher Allen Rearley Scholarship Fund, through the ASU Foundation, raised more than $10,000 at the third annual C.A.R Memorial Scholarship Poker Tournament March 5.

Mr. and Mrs. Rearley established the scholarship fund in honor of their son Christopher who lost his battle with Muscular Dystrophy in December 2007.

“After Chris passed, my wife and I looked at each other and asked what are we going to do?” recalls Mr. Rearley. “We started the first tournament in 2009 and here we are for number three.”

The Poker tournament was created to raise money for the scholarship fund and since has evolved into a fun event where friends, family and supporters of muscular dystrophy remember the optimistic and inspiring spirit of Chris, who completed his undergraduate degree at ASU's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice in 1997 and truly believed he could accomplish anything. He participated in competitive mock trials and interned as a court advocate during his college years.

Phil Potter, assistant dean of the College of Public Programs, addressed the event attendees.

“Our hearts are deeply attached to this cause and providing access to higher education is a gift to the individual and a gift to society,” Potter said.

Katherine Chavez was the deserving student who received the 2011 Christopher Allen Rearley Scholarship. Chavez is a freshman in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and proves each day that anything is possible. Despite losing her sight at a young age, she maintains an optimistic view of her future and refuses to allow her disability to hinder her. Chavez has excelled academically and plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice in 2014.

Chavez’s plans for the future including attending law school, practicing criminal law and continuing her passion for justice. Chavez attended the event with her mother and was overcome with gratitude.

“Knowing the purpose behind it makes me appreciate this scholarship more," Chavez said. "I feel very blessed and I hope the family is blessed as well.”

“The help from ASU’s outpouring support has been overwhelming,” Mrs. Rearley said. “Our hope for those who didn’t know Chris will leave feeling like you did.”

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamillah Anderson
(602) 496-2358
jamillah.anderson@asu.edu