Home for the Holidays: Catching Up with Two of Our Live Like Knox Foundation Class of 2025 Scholarship Recipients
December Edition
As the year winds down and college students are heading home for the holidays, we wanted to check in with two of our 2025 scholarship recipients and hear how their first semester went — and how Knox’s legacy continues to show up in everyday moments on campuses across the country.
You get to hear directly from two of our 2025 Kindness Carries On Scholarship recipients, in their own words: Liam Gunningham from Texas A&M University and Audra Shioya from Boston College.
Between family time, finals, and a much‑needed exhale from their first semester of college, Liam and Audra took a moment to share in this month’s Blog, “Home for the Holidays”, what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown, and how they’re carrying kindness forward into the new year.
Liam Gunningham
Liam GunninghamTexas A&M University | Kinesiology
Q: Where are you attending school now, and what are you studying? How did your first semester go?
Liam: I am currently a freshman Kinesiology major at Texas A&M University.
At first, it was a struggle going from one of the smaller high schools in Frisco to the largest student body in the nation. After I got the routine down though, I started to open myself up to different ways of studying and opportunities around campus to assist my learning. Rugby has definitely been a huge factor in my social life, and I’ve also been more active in lectures, which has helped me make friends as well.
Q: What’s one challenge you faced — and what helped you overcome it?
Liam: One big challenge of mine was learning how to adjust my dyslexia around school, but luckily Texas A&M is very helpful with assistance for intellectual disabilities.
Another challenge I’ve faced over my first semester was figuring out how I could be more productive instead of procrastinating, and I learned that by getting out of my dorm or attending office
Q: What’s something you’re proud of accomplishing during your first semester?
Liam: One thing I’m proud of accomplishing was scoring my first rugby try this season with the team.
Although I’m not on the first team this season, I was still very happy that my hard work paid off.
Q: Who or what has kept you motivated?
Liam: My mom has been a huge factor in my motivation through rough times. She has always been there for me whenever I needed her support. I don’t know where I’d be without her tremendous support.
Q: How has receiving the Kindness Carries On Scholarship shaped your first semester — academically, personally, or financially?
Liam: The Kindness Carries On Scholarship has helped me tremendously with finances and motivation. I am reminded when I go through a challenge in college that I can always come out on top. The award has come to show me how no matter who or what you do, kindness is always the answer to opening new doors to different opportunities. Even when no one is looking, it is always the right path to take in any situation or aspect in life.
Q: How has this scholarship changed the way you think about opportunity, responsibility, or what’s possible for your future? What would you tell next year’s applicants about the heart of this program?
Liam: This program isn’t just about an award. It’s about showing what humanity can still do for one another. It shows that every ounce of kindness should be appreciated and cherished in our community from younger generations. The foundation helps highlight the importance of prioritizing others in our everyday lives.
Q: What’s one lesson you carry with you after being involved with LLK? Has being part of LLK changed the way you approach everyday life?
Liam: Never back down from your challenges. I learned that if you face your challenges head on, and especially without hesitation, your hard work will pay off. The foundation absolutely has changed my perspective in my everyday life. The foundation highlighted that there is always a reason to believe in yourself no matter the circumstances.
Q: If you could give one message to the LLK community, donors, or Knox’s family, what would you say? What do you think sets LLK apart from other organizations?
Liam: The award given so generously by the Live Like Knox Foundation means a lot to my mom and me. Without your help, my first semester wouldn’t have been possible. I’m honored to this day to have received the award. When most organizations promote a scholarship, they tend to focus on aspects like better marketing for their brand or their own successes. However, the main focus of the Live Like Knox Foundation is the message they share to people. They show that when tragedy strikes, there is hope.
Q: You’ve experienced a very traumatic event in the past. How has that shaped the way you approach new environments, friendships, or challenges in college?
Liam: Ever since the track meet, there have been times where I struggle to socialize in environments I used to feel comfortable in. There have been times where I have questioned whether or not to keep pursuing a health‑oriented career path. However, I use the experience I’ve had to strengthen me as an individual when it comes to my adversities. I’ve learned from my past that even when there are distractions all around me, I must always stay focused on achieving my goals.
Q: What strengths or lessons have carried over from high school into your college journey?
Liam: One thing I learned in high school was that it’s ok to ask for help. Sometimes when I was in a situation that I tended to struggle with, I would try to handle things myself. I soon realized that by putting myself through that stress only made things worse. Once I started to ask others for help, I felt more comfortable dealing with the challenges ahead of me, and I was able to control my thoughts, which made me more confident in myself and my decision‑making skills.
Q: Looking ahead, what goals do you have for the rest of the year, and how do you hope to continue leading with kindness and character on campus?
Liam: By the end of this year I want to get and maintain a high GPA, get more involved with student organizations, and develop my rugby skills more. I want to lead with kindness by helping others, and I want to make sure that no matter what I will continue to motivate others to succeed.
Q: How do you practice kindness on campus or in your day‑to‑day life? Has someone shown you kindness this semester in a way that really stuck with you?
Liam: By simple acts such as holding the door for others, helping other peers with their assignments, and always checking up on friends is how I practice kindness on a day‑to‑day basis. My roommate, who is an engineering major, goes out of his way to help me with concepts I don’t fully understand. He has been such a tremendous help to my schooling by making sure I understand what I’m learning and even gives me great studying advice. I couldn’t be more grateful for his efforts to help me succeed and I couldn’t be more thankful.
Q: What’s one message you’d like to share with others about kindness?
Liam: Kindness and courage isn’t something that should be taken for granted. It is a gift that keeps on giving towards those who need it. Even when we feel like the world is against you, kindness and courage is always the best answer to all challenges.
Audra Shioya
Audra ShioyaBoston College | International Studies (Business & French)
Q: Where are you attending school now, and what are you studying?
Audra: I am currently a freshman at Boston College majoring in International Studies with a minor in Business. I am now almost done with my first semester at Boston College. I am an International Studies major and would like to minor in Business and French.When I’m not in class, I can be found at the library studying, at a club meeting, or hanging out with my friends. I also work as an administrative assistant on campus.
Q: How did your first semester go? What were some highlights or biggest adjustments?
Audra: My first semester went great! I’ve loved meeting new people and all of the fun activities around campus. One of my favorite memories from this semester was apple picking with my friends. It was a beautiful fall day and we got to pick as many apples as we could hold. It was such a fun day! I’ve also really enjoyed the football season. Even though we were on a losing streak, it was still fun to go to the games and cheer on BC. My favorite game was the Notre Dame game because of the rivalry between our schools. The stadium was packed for the game and we came so close to winning.
Q: What’s one challenge you faced — and what helped you overcome it?
Audra: One challenge I faced was my math class. I took a class called Ideas in Math and it was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. Ideas in Math focuses more on number theory than application, so it was really confusing at first. I started going to the math tutoring center at the beginning of the semester and they’ve been so helpful. I’ve been doing all the homework, finding gaps in my understanding, asking questions, and going to tutoring regularly. Now, I think Ideas in Math will be my highest grade of the semester.
Q: What’s something you’re proud of accomplishing during your first semester?
Audra: I’m proud that I’ve managed to balance my school life and social life. Living in the dorms makes it really easy to socialize, which I love, but it also makes it hard to focus on school. I’ve learned to block out time to study and work but I also have time to hang out with my friends.
Q: How has receiving the Kindness Carries On Scholarship shaped your first semester — academically, personally, or financially?
Audra: The Kindness Carries On Scholarship has encouraged me to be a better person. I think that the scholarship has encouraged me to think more about the people around me and how to be a better friend, which has been really important this semester. I’ve met so many people and made so many new friends while also trying to balance a totally new environment, and the scholarship has made me reflect on how I can be a better friend.The scholarship has given me the incredible opportunity to go to my dream school. I’ve been so so blessed with this opportunity and am so grateful. The Knox scholarship has provided me with the incredible opportunity to study at Boston College and I am forever grateful for their contribution to my education.
Q: What would you tell next year’s scholarship applicants about the heart of this program?
Audra: I would tell them that the heart of this program is being kind not for others but for yourself and because you want to. As a high schooler, it’s really easy to do things because it will look good on your application, but the heart of this program is going above and beyond. Think about what you can do to serve those around you. It could be something big or something small, but really consider how you can be kind to someone every day.
Q: What’s one lesson you carry with you after being involved with LLK? Has being part of LLK changed the way you approach everyday life?
Audra: Every day is a 10/10. It’s really easy to stress about school or life, but I’ve learned to make the most of every day by looking at the bigger picture. I find that it’s really easy to get stuck in the stress of day‑to‑day life, but focusing on the bigger picture really helps me to appreciate everything. Yes! I’ve found that it’s easier to let go of the particulars of day‑to‑day life and focus on the positive. When I’m stressed or worried or having a bad day I try to shift my thoughts from the negative to all the positive in my life. I’m so blessed to have a wonderful family and group of friends, to go to my dream school, and to be healthy and happy. Especially thinking about how last year I was praying that everything would work out with my college applications, it really puts my life into perspective. I am so grateful for the life I live and reflecting on all my blessings turns my bad days into better days.
Q: If you could give one message to the LLK community, donors, or Knox’s family, what would you say? What sets LLK apart from other organizations?
Audra: I would tell them that I admire their dedication to the community. I love that the LLK community is so integrated into the Frisco community and that they are always trying to deepen ties with the community. The LLK foundation really is a family. Everyone involved in LLK is so kind and welcoming and makes the foundation feel personal. All the people involved are so dedicated to the LLK mission and it’s beautiful to see.
Q: What strengths or lessons from high school have carried into your college journey?
Audra: My high school experience has taught me to ask for help when I need it. I’ve always struggled with math, and when I started to get confused in my math class this semester I knew I needed to ask for help. My high school experiences have taught me to be comfortable asking for help. I know that it’s normal to struggle and I’m ok with needing to ask extra questions or put in extra work to get the math to make sense.
Q: Has someone shown you kindness this semester in a way that really stuck with you?
Audra: The second week of school I got locked out of my room. It was past midnight, I didn’t have my phone and my roommate was asleep. My neighbor across the hall was coming out of her room, saw me and offered to let me sleep over. Her gesture was so kind, especially because I was a stranger to her. But that night, I met my best friend. My Boston College experience wouldn’t be the same without her.
Q: What’s one message you’d like to share with others about kindness? Do you have a favorite LLK event or project?
Audra: Be kind to yourself! It’s really easy to get caught up in what you think are your own failures and shortcomings, but don’t forget to be kind to yourself too.I might be biased but I really love the LLK scholarship gala. I think that it’s so special to be recognized for being kind in the community. The gala is so much fun and I love to hear about what the other scholarship recipients have done for their communities.
Q: What words come to mind when you think of Knox?
Audra: Kindness and happiness. I never got the chance to meet him, but everything I’ve heard about him was about what a wonderful person he was.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or moment tied to LLK?
Audra: Yes! At the scholarship gala, one of the speakers, Katie Wood, talked about how “It’s always sunny above the clouds.” It’s such a powerful message and it reminds me that everything will always be ok. It’s really easy to focus on the negative, but “It’s always sunny above the clouds” reminds me that whatever I’m going through right now isn’t that bad.
Looking Ahead — and Carrying It On
As Liam and Audra spend time at home for the holidays, they’re not just closing a chapter on their first semester — they’re stepping into a new year with fresh courage, deeper gratitude, and a commitment to let kindness lead.
Their stories remind us that kindness doesn’t end at an award ceremony. It doesn’t stop when a semester gets hard. It doesn’t fade when life feels uncertain. It carries on — through courage, community, and everyday choices.
As we head into a new year, may we all take a moment to reflect — and then move forward committed to living like Knox: with heart, courage, and kindness that never quits. Oh, what joy it is to watch it carry on.
Do you know of class of 2026 Senior that embodies Knox’s spirit of kindness, joy, leadership, empathy and inclusiveness – if so, please ask their teacher, coach, school administration or community leader to apply for our 2026 Kindness Carries on Scholarship Here.
Spread Kindness
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Kindness Challenge
We’re excited to invite children and young adults to take the Kindness Pledge with Knox and the Live Like Knox Foundation! By joining us and committing to kindness, participants can take the Live Like Knox Foundation Kindness Pledge. After pledging, students and youth will share their name, age, school, parents email (if under 18 years of age), and mailing address. Everyone who takes the Kindness Pledge will receive a surprise LLKF Bag Tag along with the Commit to Kindness Pledge Taken.
