FORT LEE, Va.– Scholarships for Military Children celebrated its 12th anniversary and a major milestone – the awarding of more than $10 million in scholarships to 6,742 military children around the world.
That’s the message delivered by Jim Weiskopf, vice president of Fisher House Foundation, as he spoke at a Defense Commissary Agency scholarship breakfast May 3. The breakfast was held during the two-day 2012 DeCA and American Logistics Association Commissary Roundtable event in Richmond, Va.
He gave special thanks to all who make this program a success – DeCA trading partners, manufacturers’ representatives and store directors. “They do so much more than just sell groceries. They are integral parts of their communities. Thank you very much,†Weiskopf said.
“DeCA is proud to be involved with a program that helps support the educational needs of our military children,†said Joseph H. Jeu, DeCA director and CEO. “I would like to thank everyone who participates in funding this scholarship program to help many deserving young people achieve their goal of getting a college education.â€
The scholarships are funded by commissary vendors, manufacturers, brokers, suppliers and the general public. Every dollar donated to the program goes directly to funding the scholarships.
Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to service members and their families, underwrites the cost of administering the program, which is handled by Scholarship Managers, a national, nonprofit, scholarship management services organization..
Scholarship Managers looks at the applicants’ grade-point averages, the number of school and community activities, extracurricular and volunteer activities, and part- or full-time work experience. The applicants must also submit an essay on an assigned topic.
Two of this year’s 670 scholarship recipients, Amanda Maready and Daniel Lauretano, were introduced to commissary employees and industry members during the breakfast event in Richmond.
Maready was homeschooled from kindergarten through 12th grade, and after graduating from Old Dominion University and dental school, plans to become a medical officer in the Navy, becoming the fourth generation in her family to serve.
Lauretano has a 3.9 GPA at Thomas Dale High School in Chester, Va., where he is also the captain of the varsity soccer team. Weiskopf said he has excelled both in the classroom and on the soccer field, where his list of honors and recognition fill a full page, single-spaced. Lauretano plans to attend Virginia Tech in the fall.
For information about the 2013 program, check the Scholarships for Military Children site in December.
