Memorial charities honor Idaho students – uiargonaut.com

Community fundraising supports scholarships
Multiple charities have been created in honor of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin since November of 2022.
Jim and Stacy Chapin, Ethan’s parents, started the Ethan’s Smile Foundation to provide scholarships that enable others to follow their dreams. As of August of 2025, the foundation has awarded 83 scholarships for a total of $105,750. Those interested can donate online or via check.
The foundation also sells merchandise such as stickers, apparel and candleholders. “The Boy Who Wore Blue,” a picture book written by Stacy Chapin and illustrated by Lana Lee, shares the story of Ethan and his kindness. Also available is the “Ethan’s Smile” tulip mix, a mix of white and yellow tulip bulbs. Portions of
each item’s proceeds go toward the foundation.
The Made With Kindness Foundation was started by Ashlin Couch and Angela Navejas, Couch’s mother, in
March of 2024. Couch was close friends with Maddie. She lived in the King Road house until she graduated in the summer of 2022, and Xana moved into Couch’s room. The foundation manages
the Maddie, Kaylee and Xana Scholarship Fund, which awarded 20 students with $2,500 scholarships in May. Donations are accepted online and via check.
The Made With Kindness Foundation also works with college campuses to increase student safety. The foundation hosts the Make It Pink Gala and celebrates Maddie May Day (May 25), Kaylee Jade Day (June 8) and Xanapalooza (July 5).
Sigma Chi, the fraternity Ethan was a member of, started the Ethan Chapin Memorial Scholarship in his honor. The scholarship is given yearly to a member of UI’s chapter of Sigma Chi and the first recipient was Hunter Chapin, Ethan’s brother. The fund has raised over $125,000 as of August of 2025.
UI established the Vandals Supporting Vandals Fund to create need-based scholarships in Xana, Ethan, Maddie and Kaylee’s names.
Dakota Steffen can be reached at [email protected].
Editor-in-chief for the 2025-26 school year.
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