FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — Eight college-bound military children were awarded scholarships by the Scholarships for Military Children program June 12 inside the main entrance of the Clear Creek Commissary at Fort Cavazos.
“You guys are fantastic,” said Andrea Kirby, Clear Creek commissary officer. “You are our future, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of you.”
The event takes place every academic year across Defense Commissary Agency facilities and is awarded to prospective college students of active-duty Army, Guard, Reserve or retired families. The Fisher House Foundation, an international nonprofit that focuses on improving quality of life for military families, selects the awardees for the Scholarships for Military Children program while funding for the scholarships is provided by DeCA partners and vendors.
Selection criteria for the recipients included screening academic records, demonstration of community involvement and a written essay on the topic of when they made a difference in someone else’s life.
“Community involvement is what the Fort Cavazos (Clear Creek) commissary and Warrior Way commissary is all about,” said Kevin Tucker, Clear Creek assistant commissary officer. “The scholarship for military children is one way to show we care.”
Lars Spinetta, who just graduated from Vandegrift High School, is bound for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he will participate in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and soccer programs at the school. He describes his experience as “exciting.”
“I’m going off to college, and $2,000 is an awesome, awesome opportunity, right?” Spinetta said.
His father, Lawrence, an Air Force veteran, said he was proud of his son and couldn’t have asked for more.
“(We’re) just very thankful for the opportunity, for the support,” he said. “It’s great to be part of the military community.”
Lars wrote his essay about a time he helped a friend through a personal struggle. Like his peers, a major part of what made him eligible for the scholarship was an emphasis on community involvement and leadership.
Scholarship certificates and a commemorative pin were given to the children as their families cheered. The ceremony concluded with cupcakes and gift bags.
Amounting to $2,000 each, the scholarships were gifted to Delicia Benie, Olivia Chang, JaeAnn Hines, Tyann Luedke, Allie Vanlangedonck, Joleeanna Hair, Arianna Medina and Lars Spinetta.
Date Taken: | 06.20.2024 |
Date Posted: | 06.21.2024 10:55 |
Story ID: | 474377 |
Location: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
Web Views: | 55 |
Downloads: | 1 |
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