Southington Couple Starts Scholarship for Nephew Slain in School Shooting

By Jesse Buchanan, Record-Journal staff

SOUTHINGTON — A local couple has started a scholarship for UConn students interested in marching band and fine arts in memory of their 14-year old nephew, who was killed in the Parkland, Florida high school shooting.

Southington residents Patti and Paul Goldberg had nephew Alex Schachter and his brother Ryan stay at their home every summer. The boys’ mother, Patti Goldberg’s sister and a UConn alumna, died 10 years ago. Alex was among 17 people killed in the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

“I feel that this will be Alex’s legacy,” Patti Goldberg said. “He always wanted to be a UConn Husky. He is a UConn Husky. This will absolutely carry on his name.”

Alex and Ryan’s father, Max Schachter, made the first donation to the scholarship. The family, who received 78 donations in the first three days, hopes to build the fund to $50,000.

“I think we’re going to hit the $50,000 with no problem,” Patti Goldberg said.

She said the family hopes to award two scholarships each year to students in the marching band or majoring in fine arts. The UConn Foundation is administering the scholarship.

Alex, who often wore a UConn sweatshirt, was awarded posthumous acceptance to the school.

According to a UConn Foundation statement, the school’s band director, David Mills, also made Alex a member of the marching and pep bands.

“The band made pins emblazoned with Alex’s name and wore them prominently at all their performances. They hung a photo of Alex in the practice room and the trombone section left an empty chair for him during rehearsals,” the release said.

The statement included comments from Max Schachter, a Florida resident.

“After this horrible tragedy, we just wanted to try to have something good come of this,” he said. “We’re hoping that it will keep Alex’s memory alive for years and years to come.”

Patti Goldberg was glad that UConn was receptive and supportive.

“We are absolutely thrilled that we were able to get this done pretty quickly,” she said.

Her husband will be monitoring the fund weekly. Patti Goldberg was encouraged by the comments from UConn alumni and former band members on the scholarship’s web page.

“The comments have been so heartwarming,” she said. “We’re very proud this is happening and so thankful to UConn.”

More information on the scholarship can be found on the UConn Foundation website.