The many ways James will be remembered
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Local high school acadmic scholarships
Annual $2,000 culinary scholarship at Geneva, IL High School
James aspired to become a chef and took a culinary class during his freshman year. He enjoyed cooking, baking, and sharing food with friends and family.
The annual scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors in the Geneva High School Culinary Arts program.
$6,000 scholarship for St. Francis High School, Wheaton, IL
A one-time scholarship was also awarded to an incoming freshman at St. Francis High School, Wheaton, IL (class of 2028).
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Yellow Flowering Tulip Tree at Moore Park Sprayground in Geneva, IL.
The tulip tree planted in the fall of 2024 represents how James touched our past, present, and future lives. "He touched our world with love and kindness." Rest in Peace, Sweet James.
The yellow flowers this tree will have when it turns 10-15 years old represent the Christmas color of St. James, which is gold. The tulip flowers symbolize love, hope, happiness (which James always was), and new beginnings, making us think of James in heaven. The tree will flower every year during May, James' birthday month.
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Geneva High School/West Chicago Co-Op swim team
Since December 2023, the Geneva High School /West Chicago Co-Op has been exceptionally thoughtful in honoring James in multiple ways, from holding moments of silence before swim meets in the weeks after his death to sharing cards and distributing a commemorative swim cap.
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Fundraising
Several fundraisers for James have been held in 2024, including:
· Batavia High School
· Geneva High School
· St. Charles East High School
· St. Charles North High School
· Tri-Cities Soccer Night, Girls Soccer
· STC swimming fundraiser at Norris Center on 12/24/23, a day after the funeral.
The Oliver family plans a Lurie Children’s Hospital toy donation in December 2024.
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In Memoriam Tributes
This fall, a memorial brick will be installed at the Sacred Heart Seminary Shrine, also known as the Geneva Grotto. The shrine is perched on a little knoll along the Gunnar Anderson Forest Preserve creek and is undergoing restoration. It is a beautiful spot to remember those lost and to leave a remembrance.
Two tribute bricks in honor of James have also been installed at the Morton Arboretum.
James became a fragrance connoisseur in his teenage years and shared this interest with his good friend Hermann. He once even attended an online smell club, leaving an indelible mark on the attendees of his fragrance knowledge. The host of The Perfume Room Smell Club, Emma Vernon, made a touching tribute to James during a June 2024 podcast episode at the 38.23-minute mark.