Michelle’s Memorial was founded in 2012 to continue the legacy of Michelle A. Bewley and assume the responsibility of the scholarship in her name.

Michelle A. Bewley passed away suddenly in a car accident on January 6, 2006 at the age of 29. She left behind a husband, large family and many friends that loved and adored her.

That spring, Michelle’s Mother and Step-Father started a scholarship in her name at her Alma Mater, Royalton-Hartland High School, for graduating Seniors that excelled in music, sports and academics. The scholarship was named the Michelle A. Bewley Scholar Athlete Award.

In 2012, Michelle’s younger sister, Brooke came up with the idea to start a 5k in her memory. She took the idea to Michelle’s family and on November 17, 2012 the Michelle’s Memorial 5k was born. That following spring, the Michelle’s Memorial 5k assumed the funding of the Michelle A. Bewley Scholar Athlete Award and increased the scholarship amount to $2,000 each.

By February of 2022, the support for the annual race had grown so much that Michelle’s family decided it was time to become a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Michelle’s Memorial, Inc.

Over the course of 18 years, the Michelle A. Bewley Scholar Athlete Award has been awarded to 26 Royalton-Hartland graduating Seniors totaling over $40,000. In addition, Michelle’s Memorial, Inc. sponsors and supports local events/causes and gives to areas of need in the community.