Ty R. Vlaming Memorial Scholarship Fund

Ty Robert Vlaming passed away very unexpectedly on June 15, 2020 at home in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born in Yuma, Arizona on July 29, 1997. He was a 2016 graduate of Desert Vista High School and attended the University of Arizona, Phoenix College and Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Ty had a ready smile, big heart and sensitive nature.

Ty was a natural born athlete. In high school, he was a contributing member of the football, soccer and track teams. In football, he went both ways and returned kickoffs on the Freshman team. He was awarded the most improved player at the end of the season. In soccer, he played three years and lettered. In track, he ran the 300 intermediate hurdles and typically anchored the 4 x 400 relay. He was a member all four years and lettered in his freshman year. At Altadena Middle School, Ty was the district champion in the 75 meter hurdles and 4x100 meter relay team in the 8th grade. He also was a key player on the Altadena soccer team for two years, where opposing teams were held scoreless in nearly every game. Ty was also a hockey player, and was a member of several local and the Phoenix Polar Bears travel hockey teams. He started participating in soccer at five years of age-playing on American Youth Soccer Organization teams and moving up through Ahwatukee Foothills Soccer Club travel teams. He enjoyed snowboarding, golf, wakeboarding and cornhole in his off-time.

His parents believe that Ty would have wanted something positive and beneficial to result from his (far too) early departure from earth. In his memory, this fund has been established so that deserving student athletes at Desert Vista High School and Santa Cruz Valley Union High School are not precluded from taking the next step in their education and/or training. The lack of financial resources should not be a limiting factor in their career path and becoming a contributing member of their community. We know that Ty was the ultimate “team player” assisting his teammates to be successful. He would want his legacy continued in perpetuity to assist others achieve their dreams and life objectives.