Liz Yost Memorial Scholarship
Remembering Liz
Liz Yost moved to Perry Park with her family when she was three years old and quickly fell in love with the tall trees, mountains and wildlife that surrounded her. She spent much of her childhood outside, exploring the woods, going on walks and picnics and watching the deer.
At age five, Liz began kindergarten at Larkspur Elementary, where she attended through sixth grade. She loved school, making new friends and being involved. During those years, she participated in Brownies, Girl Scouts and Odyssey of the Mind, took swimming lessons and played softball. She was curious and eager to learn, even mastering the alphabet backwards and memorizing all of the state capitals.
Liz later attended Castle Rock Junior High and graduated from Douglas County High School in 1996. In high school, she continued to stay involved through yearbook, swimming and softball. One of her teachers remembered Liz as someone who “filled the room with her presence.”
A Heart for People and Animals
After high school, Liz attended Arizona State University. While in college, she had the opportunity to study Spanish in Guatemala and live with a local family. She loved learning about another culture and building relationships with the people she met there.
Liz hoped to become fluent in Spanish and eventually work as a counselor in Denver, using what she had learned to help others.
She also cared deeply about animals and animal rights, especially dogs. Her family remembers that Liz could hardly pass a dog on the street without stopping to make a new friend. Her own dog, Lotus, was a treasured and constant companion.
Strength Through Challenges
Liz was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 18. Living with a mental health condition brought significant challenges, even with treatment and medication.
Through those experiences, Liz taught her family the importance of continuing to hope, even during difficult seasons, and believing that when one door closes, another can open.
Liz died on August 29, 2006, at age 28, following an accidental overdose of prescription medication. She was a deeply loved daughter and sister, and her family continues to carry both the pain of her loss and gratitude for the years and memories they shared.
The Spirit of the Scholarship
The Liz Yost Memorial Scholarship was created to honor Liz's life while also raising awareness of mental health challenges.
The scholarship is intended to recognize a student who demonstrates:
- Strength of character
- Commitment to family and community
- Compassion for others
The recipient does not need to have the greatest financial need, the highest grades or the most impressive plans for the future. Instead, the Yost family hopes to recognize a student whose character, relationships and compassion reflect the qualities that mattered in Liz's life.
Thank you for honoring Liz and her family by applying for this scholarship. We wish you the very best in your future.
Winston, Cheryl and Jon Yost
