It’s been four years since our beautiful Olivia was taken from us!

Our daughter Olivia Raya graduated on December 14, 2002 from Rockhurst University with a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Communication. She accomplished this working full-time for Blue Cross/Blue Shield and volunteering at Catholic Charities. We are proud of Olivia and her determination to set a fine example for her family, friends, and herself. Tragically one week after graduating, on December 21, 2002, Olivia’s meaningful but short life ended! We will never know how much more Olivia would have accomplished.

Olivia was a very important, beautiful, young woman, whose life journey ended at the age of twenty-six. God’s plan was to call Olivia to His Kingdom. She was treasured by her friends and loved by her family. Her smile reached out to many people including co-workers, charities, and strangers. Through hard work and determination, her greatest accomplishment was fulfilled when she received her college degree from Rockhurst University. This was supposed to be Olivia’s first step in achieving her goals in life. We know we will never forget who Olivia was, how she inspired all who knew her, and had she lived, would have continued inspiring and helping others.

That’s why we are asking you to make a contribution to help establish The Olivia Raya Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is in remembrance of someone very special who was determined, selfless, and strove to put herself through school. The scholarship will help fulfill a desire of Olivia’s, to make a positive impact on the world.

Olivia was proud of her heritage. The Olivia Raya Scholarship Fund at Rockhurst University will help assist other young women of Latino descent to achieve their dream of higher education. The scholarship will be given annually to someone who has many of the traits that made Olivia so remarkable — caring, intelligent, loving, and giving. The recipients will be individuals deserving of this award, a tribute to Olivia’s great accomplishments!

If you would like to help fulfill Olivia’s legacy, please consider making a contribution of $35, $50, or any amount. We would also ask to challenge your or your spouse’s family, friends or place of employment to match or better your contribution.

Olivia had many of us who believed in her. According to Dr. Robin Bowen, former Dean at Rockhurst University, “Olivia leaves a legacy of kindness, innocence, honesty and generosity. She used her God given talents to make a difference in this world. As her alma mater, Rockhurst University is proud that the Raya family chose to develop a scholarship that preserves and perpetuates this legacy. Please join the Raya’s in honoring Olivia by making a contribution on her behalf.”

If you wish to contribute, please use the enclosed envelope and make your check payable to The Olivia Raya Scholarship Fund.

For more information regarding your tax-deductible contribution to The Olivia Raya Scholarship Fund, please contact:

Joyce DeHaven
Director of Stewardship
Office of University Advancement
The Olivia Raya Scholarship Fund
Rockhurst University
1100 Rockhurst Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2561
joyce.dehaven@rockhurst.edu
(816) 501-4537

We are all so proud of Olivia. Please help us honor her memory by helping other young women like Olivia to make a difference in this world.

Sincerely,

Sylvia and Louis Raya
Olivia’s parents