A Bristol soldier is leaving a legacy that will hopefully help other students struggling to make it through high school. Monday the Crossing alternative high school received a large donation from the former student's mother.

Michael Lovely started attending the Crossing in 2006 and graduated from the Goshen campus in 2010. Recently he took his own life after suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

He always dreamed of joining the army. Last year he served in Afghanistan as a private first class. Last November the 20-year-old committed suicide.

His mom, Sherrie Lovely, raised four children on her own and worked three part time jobs to make ends meet. Michael worked his own job to pay for tuition.

Monday his mother donated 25 thousand dollars of the life insurance to the school as part of a scholarship fund.

She says the school was like a family to her son.

“The Crossing actually takes them in and makes them their own child,” explained Sherried Lovely. “Michael just felt like he belonged here and he really did.”

“I think that the thing about Michael is that he was used to our support and if the day wasn't going well he could call me or somebody else and we were there,” says Executive Director Rob Staley from the Crossing.

The scholarship money will be used by students who don’t receive any tuition assistance by their school if they drop out.

Lovely was stationed out of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He leaves behind a wife and 17-month-old son.
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