Family Honors CSM Nursing Student Jaycee Lynn Vermillion with Memorial Scholarship

The family of College of Southern Maryland (CSM) nursing student Jaycee Lynn Vermillion, of Nanjemoy, has established a memorial scholarship fund in their daughter’s name to honor her memory and offer financial assistance to other CSM students who plan a career in nursing.

Established by Robert, Krista and Clayton Vermillion, the Jaycee Lynn Vermillion Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who are enrolled in the second year of CSM’s nursing program and reside in Charles County. Vermillion was enrolled in CSM’s nursing program when she unexpectedly passed away on June 19, 2020.

“Although losing Jaycee has left our family completely heartbroken it brings us some peace and comfort knowing her caring, loving spirit will live forever,” shared her family in an email with the CSM Foundation. “Although she is no longer with us physically her passion to care for others will continue through her gifts of organ donation and two memorial scholarships established in her memory. She will live in our hearts for eternity.”

It is the family’s hope that the inaugural scholarship award will go to a fellow student in Vermillion’s cohort and whom she would have graduated with next spring.

Vermillion was born Aug. 9, 1999 to Robert and Krista Vermillion, and is also survived by her brother Clayton Vermillion; grandparents Buttons and Lewie Stetler, and Joe and Linda Davis; aunts and uncles Tandi and David Landolfi and Benny and Denise Vermillion; and cousins Kelsey, Kamie, Lexi, Little Benny, Kendall and Steve.

An excerpt from her loving obituary reads:

“She had a smile that was contagious and lit up the room. She was so confident; you might find her dressed up in heels and make up, or in her wore out Chuck Taylors, a ski hat and a flannel shirt. She was comfortable in anything! This was evident in her endless selfies. Many describe her as a free spirit, & while that’s true, she was also an old soul. She was a true athlete and loved the outdoors. She played softball from the time she was little and was described as one of the best field hockey players in her high school.  She participated in youth rodeos, enjoyed flag football, basketball and even wanted to wrestle in high school. Jaycee loved to “shred some major pow-pow” on the ski slopes. Deer hunting, fishing and hiking were other outdoor favorites. She had a natural ability and excelled at anything she put her mind to!”

“Florence Nightingale said, ‘Live life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift – there is nothing small about it,’ the CSM Nursing Program faculty and staff shared at the time of Vermillion’s passing. “Jaycee embodied this spirit and her gift to the nursing profession will be missed.”

The Jaycee Lynn Vermillion Scholarship was established with gifts totaling $8,000 with subsequent gifts to be added over time. The scholarship will provide financial assistance for tuition, fees, books and other related supplies to CSM students. To be eligible for assistance, the student{s) must be a resident of Charles County; be in the second year of the CSM nursing program and applicants are required to submit an essay describing any hardships or obstacles they have faced and how this scholarship will help them achieve their goals.

Students may begin applying now for this scholarship through Scholarship Finder (priority deadline is Aug. 20, 2020). For more information on how to donate to this scholarship visit the CSM Foundation web page