On May 22, the Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship Fund presented $27,000 in scholarships to deserving family members of soldiers, retirees, and Gold Star Families living within a 50-mile radius of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). This year, 19 high school students, four university recipients and three Army spouses were awarded scholarships. Scholarship coordinators Paula Skandis and Robin Elliott presented the scholarships. Jamie Lynn Blum, president, Lewis Community Spouses' Club (LCSC), and Angela Allen, Treasurer, LCSC, presented Clare Marsh Scholarships to deserving Army spouses. The Lakes High School Army JROTC Color Guard provided the posting and retiring of the colors.
Army spouse and board member Angie Melnyk served as Master of Ceremonies. "I enjoy working with our board to provide scholarships to deserving dependents. It's a very rewarding experience to know you're helping give people the chance to go to school."
The Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship Fund was established in 1989 by spouses to further the educational goals of spouses and children of active-duty, retired, and surviving family members of Army soldiers. "It is and has been my honor to be on the Scholarship Board for about 13 years in various positions. I am humbled by the continual generous support from our donors, especially JBLM nonprofit organizations who work so hard with fund-raising activities in order to support our purpose. Thanks to the vision of the founders of the Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship Fund in 1989, donations from the JBLM community are centralized and family members complete only one application," said Vicki Jurgensmeier.
Donations to fund the 2019 scholarships came from the LCSC, Fort Lewis Thrift Shop, Farrelli's Management Services, the Sergeants Major Association of the NW, Dahlke Orthodontics and private donations. Funds were also raised through the Amazon Smiles Program and the JCPenney My Giving Program.
Applications for the 2020 scholarships will be available after the beginning of the new year. For more information about the program, visit: FortLewisScholarship.com. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. If you would like more information on donating to this worthwhile cause, email the committee at ftlewisfamilyscholarship@gmail.com.
THE 2019 FORT LEWIS FAMILY MEMBER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
High School Recipients
Terri Ajifu, Clover Park High School
Lexi Allen, Bellarmine Preparatory School
Kennedy Baydo, Timberline High School
Frances Buendia, River Ridge High School
Isabela Burke, Yelm High School
Leah Capindo, Timberline High School
Forrest Dudley, Olympia High School
Joseph Hoidon, Bellarmine Preparatory School
Jordin Koonce, Puyallup High School
Kurtis Lakner, Tacoma Baptist High School
Mya Marion, Steilacoom High School
Anika-Jo Muna, Spanaway Lake High School
Molly Oroho, Lakes High School
Derrick Platt, Yelm High School
Carson Prairie, Lakes High School
Zachary Rowe, Steilacoom High School
Olivia Shepard, Steilacoom High School
Gabriella Trevino, Lakes High School
Katherine Wilton, Harrison Preparatory School
University Recipients for Dependent Children
Taylor Cox, Kennesaw State University
Kathryn Graham, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Kim Graham, Purdue University
Kyla Marks, Washington State University
University Recipients for Spouses
Ashlyn Cameron and Crystal Potter, Western Governor's University
Lorena Urruela, American Public University
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