Janiya Thomas’ former elementary school announced a scholarship in her name.
A one-time, $50,000 scholarship will be offered to a graduating senior in Manatee County who attended the elementary school.
The principal, Deb Houston, said the scholarship is a way to provide a student with the education that Janiya was unable to have.
"She had a very, very short life," Houston said to ABC Action News, "But she will live on forever."
The scholarship will be offered for the 2016-2017 school year.
The scholarship is funded by donations. To donate, you can contact Manatee Elementary at 941-741-3319 or Manatee County Community Foundation at 941-747-7765.
Janiya’s mother, Keishanna Thomas, pulled Janiya out of Manatee Elementary in 2014 and told the school district she would homeschool her. In December 2015, she was indicted of first-degree murder in the 11-year-old’s death after her body was found in a freezer in October 2015.
Her next court date is April 20.
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