Turlock High School class of 2012 graduate Corbin Maldonado quietly passed away on Sep. 23 after a brave, lengthy battle with acute promyelocytic leukemia. He was just 18 years of age, but his life and bravery touched thousands of people in the Turlock High School community.

Now, Maldonado’s memory will live on for many years thanks to a newly established $20,000 Corbin Maldonado Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Each year two $500 scholarships will be awarded – one to a football player with heart, and one to an experienced THS welder. The scholarship will begin with the 2014 graduating class.

As a football player Maldonado was known for his heart, his love of both the game and the Bulldogs. He also had a growing talent for welding.

Cal- Almond in Hughson will fund the scholarship.

In the final months of his life Maldonado’s extensive network of loved ones, family and friends set up “Team Corbin,” a social media campaign to raise awareness about his life.

The Team Corbin Facebook chronicled his life and the remarkable wealth of support and love for him and his family.

On Nov. 29 Maldonado would have turned 19 years old. His family posted a gleaming remembrance of his life on the Team Corbin Facebook Page.

“Today 19 years ago our family and so many others were blessed when Corbin entered this world! We are celebrating his beautiful life today! Even though it ended far too soon Corbin is still with each one of us! The impact he made in his short life is far beyond one who may live for many decades! Corb made his life count….. because of his example of courage, strength and faith we as a family are able move forward and choose to make our lives count! We are so blessed beyond measure to have Corbin continue to bless us every day just by who he was! So today celebrate life and make it count, just like our boy did!”