In Honor of Shannon Veal

On Monday night, after sinking two free throws, and with the LSU coaches in the stands, Shannon Veal passed. I heard from my mom who had just seen the story on the news. In fact, my dad was supposed to go to that game. I had boarded a plane to return to Russia at 4pm that day and was in the air when it happened...I was incredibly sad. Shannon was just beginning to shine and had a promising future. I feel like I saw Shannon grow up right in front of me. I saw her at LSU camp as a kid, in summer league and in high school games. I went when I was in town to support and know that Shannon will really be missed. Its been reported that she died of an enlarged heart ? which in so many ways, as time passes, may be seen as fitting. Shannon's heart was big ? bigger than the average person and it showed on her face and in everything she overcame. Shannon, in managing her diabetes always kept a positive spirit and displayed a tremendous work ethic. She was a joy and will always be an example. To her family, friends and teammates ? stay strong and god bless.

In her memory, I've worked with the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to establish a memorial scholarship fund. The scholarship will be awarded in May of each year to a Baton Rouge high school female attending a 4 year college or university who has overcome significant challenges or obstacles in her pursuit of excellence in sport, education and/or community service. Nomination forms will be available on my website (www.seimone33.com), on the Baton Rouge Area Foundation's website (www.braf.org) and in various guidance counseling offices by March 3, 2008.

Donations of any amount can be made by check made out to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, noting "Shannon Veal Scholarship" in the memo line and sent to:

Baton Rouge Area Foundation

Attn: Shannon Veal Scholarship

402 N. Fourth St.

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

If you'd like to leave comments for Shannon in response to this post, I will make sure to forward them to her family....

Shannon overcame so much to put herself in a position to fulfill her dreams and attend college. She's a beautiful example of what we as young women can accomplish when we set our minds to it and hopefully, this scholarship serves as a celebration of that spirit. My family and I are deeply saddened by her loss...but hope that through Shannon's memory, we as a community can help other women pursue their dreams.

Shannon Veal
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31 Comments On: "In Honor of Shannon Veal"

 
Mone...So sad about Shannon...It sounds like she was an incredible young woman. Hopefully her family can find some peace knowing that through her memory, others will gain opportunity. What a terrible loss. My love to her family...I'm sure Baton Rouge will really miss her.

it is very sad. she had it all, loved, talented, a perfect future! when i heard about it i was speachless.
well her time has passed and it's devastating, hopefuly as family and freinds, we can get through this loss.
i don't think that anyone should die this young and thats not even half of the saddness. Good Luck to Shannon's family and freinds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MY GIRL GONE TO A BETTER PLACE. SHE DIED DOING SOMETHING SHE LOVED. ITS STILL LIKE A DREAM TO ME. I CANT BELIVE SHE'S ACTUALLY GONE

When I first heard about this, I was devastated. It's so sad and so unfortunate for something like this to happen to someone so young, so talented and with so much potential. The scholarship fund is a great idea that will not only help other athletes, but will also keep Shannon's spirit alive. My condolences to Shannon Veal's family, friends and the entire Baton Rouge community. RIP, young baller.

My condolences to Shannon Veal's family

When me and my friend heard about this story we both cried. We just hated seeing someone who was doing so good go away at such a young age. Our prays are with the Veal family ,as well as, our happy wishes. At least she'll be remembered and honored in the right way.

my thoughts and prayers are with the veal family...she sounds as if she was a tremenous person...although she will be missed her memory will live on through the foundation you have helped to help people like her who have dreams they want to persue...im from LA and heard bout the story...she will be missed...

Indeed this is a great tradgedy. I have been praying for the Veal famly ever since I read the news about her passing. Very admirable of you to set up a memorial scholarship fund. May God bless her family and help them through this difficult time.

I read about this a couple of days ago, very sad! My condolences go out to her Family, friends and fans.

I think one of the biggest tragedies in this loss is that the rest of the world won't get to experience who she was, but from your words and others I've read, she sounds like she was a very special person. Not only athletically gifted, but a truly special soul.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Shannon's family, teammates and friends. Never forget that she continues to live through each of you, the many memories you all have and through her foundation.

I hope that with enough generous donations, we can help to make this a national scholarship fund in time.

A sad story. Not because she was an athlete and an outstanding citizen. But because a family lost a love-one to something that can not be controlled.

ITS SO SAD TO HEAR ABOUT A YOUNG LADY PASSING. SHE HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL. I JUST WANT TO SEND HER FAMILY AND EVERYONE WHO KNEW HER MY CONDOLENSCES. THANK YOU SEIMONE AUGUSTUS FOR SETTING UP A SCHOLARSIP FUND IN HER HONOR. AT LEAST WE CAN LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE. SHANNON DIED DOING SOMETHING THAT SHE REALLY LOVED AND GOD BLESS YOU SHANNON.

My heart and prayers goes out to Ms. Shannon Veal's family. She must have been an amazing young lady. This story really struck my heart deeply. I myself am a diabetic. I recently graduated from a small school in southwest louisiana where I too played basketball. I never had the opportunity to watch Shannon and the other ladies at Glen Oaks in action, but i do know they are a really great team. I understand the things Shannon had to overcome with her diabetes. As I have said my heart goes out to her family, her school, and her teammates. Let's go Lady Pathers! Take state for Shannon!!!!

Seimone, You continue to make me proud to be from Baton Rouge and an LSU Lady TIger fan. I know you're aware that Syl and Q and Temeka went to the replay of the game that Shannon died during. It's wonderful what you're doing with the BRAF. If I can, I will donate some funds. In peace.

This is such a tragedy, my thoughts and prayers are will all her friends and family.

Shannon sounds like she was a wonderful young lady. I know the scholarship will help others in the future.

SHANNON VEAL I LUV U SO MUCH THE TIMES THAT WE SHARED TOGETHER WAS ALL GREAT I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET THE GREAT TIMES THAT WE SHARED AND THE TIME THAT WE USE TO FIGHT WHEN U PLAYED WITH THE LADY FRANKLINS AND U USED TO BEAT ME UP AND YEP I LET U GET AWAY WITH THAT BUT I LUV U SHANNON I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE GONE FROM USE JUST THAT SOON MY LUV AND ANYTHING THAT I CAN EVER GIVE GOES TO SHANNON VEALS FAMILY THE GLEN OAKS LADY PANTHERS AND HER FRIENDS AND EVERYONE THAT NEW SHANNON AND THANKS FOR GIVING THIS SCHOLARSIP FUND AND I ALSO WISH THAT IT WOULD GO NATIONAL....LUV YOU SHANNON VEAL #25 WATCH OVER US UNTIL WE COME HOME.....

My prayers are with her family. It's so very hard when we lose someone. May loving memories comfort the family in this time. God is with you - he never lets us carry more than we can without Him. God Bless and hold you in this time of great sorrow.

That scholarship fund sounds like a great idea.

wow that happened to somebody in my school too, he was a great guy..football player who had a full ride to PITT. Pre-season of his freshman year there he collapsed on the football field and died. It was a very sad moment and i know what Glen Oaks is going through...my condolences to the school and especially her family.

My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

I forgot to give you props for getting something like this started in Shannon's honor, very nice of you Seimone!

Rest in Peace my girl! Although I didn't know you or your family personally, my heart goes out to them. I do know God won't put more on them than they could bare. As I was following up on this story, it saddened me more and more to hear about a wonderful, talented, beautiful girl with so much potential die at such an early age. I guess it's true what they say "THE GOOD DIE YOUNG". Eventhough there are alot of broken hearts, we can't question God's purpose because he knew what was best. All we can do in life is continue to pray and do our best because we never know when our time will come. I will continue to pray for her family, friends, fans, and anyone else who loved her or was touched by this. In due time, God will give them the strength that they need to carry on and the comfort in knowing she's at peace looking down on them with a smile on her face.

This has to stop. We have to prevent this kind of thing from happening again. Athletes shouldn't die this young. Shannon had her entire life ahead of her. Now we all know she's still playing basketball right now. She's a champion in all of our hearts. My love goes out to her family. Seimone, what a tribute. You're nothing but absolute class.

~~R.I.P. Shannon My Heart Goes Out To You And Your Family~~
Ball In Heaven For Me
Jynita

mayne. its dats cold. even tho i dont know her i her she was a fiya basketball playa. mayne dis world is cold.

I had a chance to know her and i will truly miss her sooooooo much she always uplifted me when i was down and now that she's is gone every time i'm feelin sad i will think of her and look at the way she lived. She never was moping everytime she lost a game she was still smiling saying, "we'll get'em next time." I truly have so much love for her and I know that she will appreciate this that Simone is doing and i just hope and pray that her family is gonna be alright .

Love and Peace are the two things that wish for the both family and friends of Shannon Veal. Its always heart breaking to loose anyone in your life, but to loose someone so young and with so much promise...well there just aren´t any words. God bless those who knew this wonderful young lady. You are in my prayers and I hope that you can somehow find peace knowing this beautiful young lady is in a better place.

I remember seeing this story on the television. I also remember playing her when I was in high school. She did have a promising career and she will be missed by all. She was very energetic and had love for the game. She sometimes reminded me of myself. The family is still in my prayers and it was just a very tragic and emotional event. Her and my best friend were friends and I could still hear the convo like yesterday. I just feel so sorry for her family.

i just have to say my deepest condolences...and seimone, u are wonderful for strating something so meaningful in her name

HI,
MY NAME IS TERRIYINE SINGLETON IM 17 YEARS OLD IM FROM NEW ORLEANS LA. AND ATTEND HELEN COX HIGH SCHOOL IM A JR.....I AM ONE OF THE PLAYERS FROM HELEN COX GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM...I WAS ON THE COURT RITE IN FRONT OF HER.SHANNON AND I PLAYED ON THE SAME AAU TEAM (BATON ROUGE AMAZONS).....ONE DAY I WANT 2 BE ABLE TO TELL THE WORLD MY STORY OF WAT IT WAZ LIKE TO LOSE AN ANGLE RITE IN FRONT OF UR FACE.....I WOULD LIKE TO HELP WIT THE FOUNDATION ANY WAY POSSIBLE THAT I CAN....

~P.S. R.I.P SHANNON VEAL THE WILL NEVER HAVE ANOTHA LIKE U..EVERYDAY I THINK OF U I MISS U AND I KNOW UR IN A BETTER PLACE...LOVE T.SINGLETON #33~

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