As a student at Sand Creek High School in Colorado Springs, Colo., Dane R. Balcon was passionate about the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officersí Training Corps. Dane graduated in 2006; and, in January 2007 began his career with the U.S. Army. Nine months later, Dane was killed in Iraq.ìIt (ROTC) was more than a hobby for him, it was his way of life,î said Carla Sizer, Daneís mother. In 2008 in memory of her son, Sizer set up a scholarship fund using her own money and funds from contributions on behalf of Dane.Sizer pulled together more than $1,000 that first year to award a student member of the ROTC.With input from the commanders, Sizer chooses the recipient each year. ìItís based on a whole personís concept,î she said. ìThey donít have to have a 4.0 GPA to get it. I want to see what theyíre doing in the community, what theyíre contributing to the Junior ROTC, what theyíre contributing to society.îAlthough the contributions from outside have slowed, Sizer said she still manages to come up with between $1,000 and $1,500 each year to award a student in Falcon School District 49. ìI have ways to continue to fund the scholarship whether I do it or someone else helps,î Sizer said. ìIt will continue to be funded. Itís great to see the kids go off to college and know that my son and I were a part of that.îIn May 2012, Josh Holloman received the Spc. Dane R. Balcon Junior ROTC Scholarship Fund. Holloman graduated from Sand Creek High School in 2010 and attended the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM. He had been there for two years prior to receiving the scholarship.Anyone interested in donating to the scholarship fund can do so through the United Service Organization location at Denver International Airport, which includes a fund in Daneís name, Sizer said. ìThe money (from the USO) goes to help troops with phone cards, hygiene items and other things like that,î she said.For a fresh start, Sizer has relocated to San Antonio, Tex., but Daneís memory lives on in the Falcon community. ìThereís an American Legion in Falcon named after Dane,î Sizer said. ìWe also host an annual golf tournament in August at Antlerís Creek Golf Course.î And a park in Black Forest was also dedicated to Daneís memory.ìEven if he knew the outcome of that day, I donít think Dane wouldíve changed a thing,î Sizer said.To donate to the Spc. Dane R. Balcon Junior ROTC Scholarship Fund, contact Sizer at csizer0131@gmail.com.
