Scholarship created to honor Minnesota National Guard member killed in helicopter crash

It’s been more than a year since 28-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Rogers Jr. was killed when his Blackhawk helicopter crashed during a test flight near St. Cloud.

Now his family is starting a scholarship in his honor. The first round of recipients will be from his alma mater, St. James High School, where Rogers graduated in 2010. He was involved in drama, choir and tennis. The scholarship winners will be hand-picked by James’ friends and family.

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"This is something we can work on. We can put time into it, we can put love into it. I think it will be very cathartic as a family," his father said. "The scholarship will have his name on it, but I think it will be his friends and family’s hearts that are in it."

This spring, two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. But the Rogers family hopes the scholarship will grow in the coming years. Click here for more information on how to donate.