The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder publisher/CEO and staff extend their condolences to the family and other loved ones of Kennedy Maddox, whose tragic accidental death on June 26 came as a great shock to all.

Kennedy’s essay “The parental influence on my life” won him a Cecil E. Newman Scholarship at this year’s MSR Graduation Celebration, and his great potential was apparent to those who selected the winners. He wrote in his essay how “the principle of having faith and trusting in someone that has your best interest is beneficial to one’s upbringing.” We hope that Kennedy’s strong sense of faith and trust brings consolation to those who must reconcile themselves to his loss and carry on without him.