| Graduation Year | Class of 2009 |
| Date of Passing | Dec 11, 2008 |
| About | Shayla Mae Dawn Holwegner lived a life fulfilled at the young age of 17 when she passed away December 11, 2008 after enduring with grace nearly two years with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Shayla was born on February 12, 1991 and lived a healthy life until her diagnosis, full of the things she loved best: friends, family, laughter and love. Shayla was an athlete at an early age. She was involved in CYO basketball from 2nd grade through 5th and AAU thereafter until the end of her freshman year in highschool when she decided to dedicate herself to her favorite sport of volleyball. She played nearly year round volleyball between her school team, her junior olympic club teams and taking up a summer grass tournament or playing on the front yard with her sister. She was a starting varsity player for Eisenhower High School by her sophomore year and traveled all over the northwest and even to Reno, NV with her club team the rest of the time. Shay also enjoyed downhill skiing, snowboarding, water skiing, horseback riding, archery and any other athletic endeavor she could find to explore. She strived to be her best and was a talented, formidable opponent but was never attracted to athletics by the spirit of competition, rather the enjoyment of being part of an extended family and circle of friends. Shayla's greatest intention in life was to continue her education. From the age of 12 she very boldly stated that she was "going to a university" and she set out to do just that. She was an excellent student throughout school. One of her most difficult sacrifices once her treatment started was being unable to attend Eisenhower. She did continue her education whenever her treatment schedule and health would allow at the Childrens Hospital schoolroom in Seattle and when she returned home in late July of this year, she immediately enrolled herself in Yakima School District's on-line school. It was her last wish to graduate with her Senior class of 2009. Shayla's survivors include Michael and Renee Holwegner (father and mother), Sadie Holwegner (sister), Gordon Hawley (maternal great grandfather), Copel Holwegner (paternal grandmother), Bud and Judy Hawley (maternal grandfather and grandmother), Robin Hawley and Andy Strange, Rae Hawley, Gary and Debbie Holwegner, Vickey and Tom Tebb, Darla and Gary Robillard (aunts and uncles), Aliage Mason-Perry and Brandon Perry, Cora Holwegner, Emma Holwegner, Erin Tebb, Kelly Tebb, River Hawley, Jesse Southard, Lucas Southard, Clayton Baker, Terron Perry (cousins) along with countless extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her Papa Jerry Holwegner, Grandpa Papa Clyde Fought, Great Grandmas Viola Fought and Opal Hawley. Without intending to, Shayla's life became an inspiration to many. She humbly went about living life, not knowing that her life's story would reach and touch thousands, young and old. She will be remembered in hearts all over the world, as evidenced by the guestbook on her on-line journal (www.caringbridge.org/visit/shayla-la). Shayla taught us all so much by allowing her life experience to be shared openly through this journal, several news mediums and philanthropic ,efforts to raise money for her favorite charities that helped her along the way: Ronald McDonald House (visit www.seattlermhc.org to see her video), Northwest Sarcoma Foundation and Children's Hospital Seattle. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Shayla Fund at any Washington Mutual branch. Money donated to this fund will go to assisting future student athletes who find themselves in similar circumstances, and these fine charities. Special thanks to those that were with us along the way, lending support in so many ways. Photo is in the link below. Find a Grave link: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40489103/shayla-mae_dawn-holwegner |
