Jesuit High School of Portland

Grateful Parent Gives to Jesuit in Memory of His Son

Steve Wasson

Steve Wasson (right) made a gift to Jesuit in his estate plans in memory of his son, Sam ’06.

"Samuel was a sweet, smart child coming out of the eighth grade. He wanted to attend Jesuit but he knew it would be a big change," says Steve Wasson, father of Sam Wasson '06.

When Sam first arrived at Jesuit, he had apprehensions just like many other freshman students but by the end of his first semester, he discovered a new love—theater. Sam was cast in a play and he was hooked. After a childhood of playing a variety of sports and playing on the JHS freshman baseball team, Sam realized that acting was his second home and the friends he made in the theater program were practically family.

"One of his drama teachers told me, if Sam didn't have a part in the play, he'd say, ‘Let me be involved. I'll do sets, I'll do the lighting—whatever you need done, just name it and I'll do it.'" Steve recalls.

In addition to discovering his gift for acting, Sam became a leader in the drama program. He directed plays, participated in playwriting and mentored other students, helping them gain confidence in performing. His friends often said that everything Sam learned, he shared. He derived tremendous joy from helping others succeed.

Steve and Sam would often talk about helping those in need. "Sam strongly believed that we all should be paying it forward to the best of our ability," says Steve.

Sam had transformative experiences at Jesuit that contributed to his passion for helping others. His Christian service work—or "Christian sharing," as he called it—at Camp Easter Seals had a tremendous impact on his life. He wrote in his journal, "The magic of Easter Seals lies not in the grand idea of Christian service but rather in what most people would consider trivial activities—helping someone with physical limitations to walk to the cafeteria, helping someone float in a pool or simply trading smiles with a person hungry for attention." Sam volunteered two extra weeks at Camp Easter Seals after his senior year at Jesuit.

After graduating from Jesuit, Sam studied theater and education at Loyola Marymount University. In October 2007, the beginning of Sam's sophomore year, Sam died in a rollover car accident. He was returning from a drama research trip with his LMU ensemble.

"I see what Jesuit meant to Samuel and the growth and development he had over the years here," says Steve. "We were fortunate to have Sam go to Jesuit. There are many students just like Sam but they don't have the means necessary to attend. If I can make it possible for one person to go to Jesuit, that's a great opportunity for that student and for the entire community. I'd like to see every qualified teenager who wants to attend Jesuit have a Jesuit education. I hope that someday I can help two or three students attend Jesuit High School. If other people with resources do the same, we can collectively make a huge difference in the lives of future students."

By including Jesuit in his estate plans, Steve is ensuring that future students needing tuition assistance will be able to make Jesuit their second home and find their gifts just like Sam found his talents and embraced all that Jesuit High School has to offer.

If you would like to make a gift that will help students like Sam have the same opportunities to explore and grow at Jesuit, please contact Diane Salzman at 503-291-5497 or development@jesuitportland.org.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Jesuit High School Foundation a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Jesuit High School Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 9000 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Portland, OR 97225, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Jesuit or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate, or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property, or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Jesuit as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Jesuit as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Jesuit where you agree to make a gift to Jesuit and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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