Army Scholarship Foundation Announces Scholarship Awards for the 2014-2015 Academic Year

The Army Scholarship Foundation announced today the award of 36 scholarships to children of United States Army soldiers and veterans and to spouses of active duty enlisted soldiers for the upcoming 2014-2015 academic year. Scholarships were awarded to deserving Army family members as follows:

The Captain Jennifer Schafer-Odom Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ms. Ye-rin Kang of Watertown, NY. Ye-rin is the daughter of Sergeant Jonghun Im who is stationed with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 87th Infantry at Fort Drum, NY. Ye-rin will enter Soka University in Aliso Viejo, CA where she will major in liberal arts. Jennifer Shafer Odom grew up on a dairy farm in Knoxville, Maryland. After graduating first in her class at Brunswick High School, she entered the U.S. Military Academy and graduated as a member of the Class of 1992. She became an Army aviator and served tours of duty in both the United States and Europe, where she supported both the Kurdish refugee and Bosnia missions. While serving with the 204th Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Bliss, TX in 1999, her aircraft was reported missing while flying intelligence and counter drug missions over Columbia, South America. She and her crew were lost.

The Lieutenant Scott Love Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ms. Marie Russell of Hanceville, AL. Marie’s parents are Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Patrick Russell of Hanceville. Marie is a sophomore the University of Alabama at Birmingham, majoring in music education and performing arts. First Lieutenant Scott Love was killed in action in 2006 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. First Lieutenant Scott Love was killed in action in 2006 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Scott Love was an “Army brat” who was born at Fort Campbell, KY and graduated from high school in Huntsville, AL. He graduated from Florida State University in 1996 and enlisted in the US Army in 1999 as a military intelligence specialist. In 2003, he attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, and was subsequently assigned as a platoon leader with 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry stationed at Baumholder, Germany. His unit deployed to Kuwait in November 2005 with Scott’s platoon assigned as part of Task Force 1-35 Armor when he was killed at Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

The Sergeant Andrew Topham Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Joshua Neal of Battleboro, NC. Joshua is the son of Sergeant Major and Mrs. Scott D. Neal. SGM Neal is currently assigned to the 2d Battalion, 108th Military Police at Fort Jackson, SC. Joshua is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where he majors in business. Sergeant Andrew Topham grew up in Randolph, Massachusetts near Boston. He was a highly decorated soldier, awarded the Bronze Star for service in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In addition he earned the Army Commendation Medal, Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Ribbon.

The Colonel Urey Woodson Alexander Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Mr. Dillon Luedtke of Fayetteville, NC. Dillon attended Bamburg American High School in Germany and is a sophomore at the Citadel in Charleston, SC majoring in history. Dillon is the son of Sergeant Major and Mrs. Frank Luedtke. SGM Luedtke is assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion of the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. Colonel Urey W. Alexander was commissioned upon graduation from West Point in 1940. During WWII he commanded the 386th Field Artillery Battalion throughout the war, deployed the battalion to France and fought in Belgium, Holland, the Battle of the Bulge, and into Germany in 1945. He advised the Greek Army in their civil war with the Communists in 1950, and served as U.S. Military Attaché to Poland. He commanded the 35th Artillery Group in Germany and retired as Director of Instruction from the faculty of the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Upon Army retirement, he served as Business Manager of the Dickinson College School of Law in Carlisle.

The Lieutenant General Jack Costello Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ms. Catherine Clements of Ligonier, PA. She is the daughter of Mr. Donald Clements of Ligonier, who served as a Sergeant in Viet Nam. Catherine is a graduate of Ligonier Valley High School, and is a sophomore at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh where she is majoring in public relations and advertising. LTG Jack Costello was born in Pottsville, PA and was commissioned in the Army upon graduation from the Citadel. He served in the 82d Airborne Division and in Vietnam. He commanded the 2d Battalion, 59th Air Defense Artillery, the 35th ADA Brigade, 32d Army Air Defense Command in Germany, the ADA School and Fort Bliss, Texas, and the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Upon retirement, he joined the Raytheon Company where he led Network Centric Systems Strategic Planning and Business Development operations and the company’s Improvised Explosive Device Defeat efforts.

The Lieutenant Keirn C. Brown Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Ms. Jessica Bortner of Dayton, TX. She is the daughter of Sergeant Janice Bortner who retired from the Texas National Guard following over 20 years of active and National Guard service. Janice is a graduate of Dayton High School, and is a sophomore at Texas A&M University at Galveston. Lieutenant Keirn C. Brown grew up in Niagara County, New York, graduated from the University of Rochester, and was called to active duty with his National Guard unit in 1940. He participated in every major European Campaign including the invasion of North Africa, action at Anzio and the Colmar Pocket, and the Saarland. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant before earning a battlefield commission. After the war, he became a member of the Foreign Service and served around the world as a diplomat and senior State Department executive for over 25 years.

The Lieutenant Colonel J. Allan Green Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Mr. Joshua Gautreaux of Elgin, TX. Joshua is the son of Chief Warrant Officer 3 and Mrs. Michael Gautreaux of Elgin. CW3 Gautreaux is currently serving with the 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of the Texas National Guard in Round Rock. Joshua will enter Georgetown University in Washington DC in the fall and major in Economics. Lieutenant Colonel J. Allan Green was born in 1926 and died in 2011 in Austin, Texas. He joined the Army as a private in 1944 during World War II. He later completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Armor branch. He served in the Korean War as a First Lieutenant, where he was wounded and for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. He also served in Vietnam in 1970. LTC Green retired from the Army in 1972 after 28 years of service. Two years after retiring from the Army he entered the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin and upon completion of his studies was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church.

The Doctor Emory Ladanyi Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Ms. Jessica Demarest of Amsterdam, NY. Jessica’s father is a retired Master Sergeant. Jessica is a sophomore at Champlain College in Burlington, VT where she is majoring in creative media management. Doctor Emory Ladanyi served in the Army Medical Corps in World War II in the Sicily and Italy Campaigns. Following the war, he continued his medical career as a dermatologist. He also devoted his energies to the fine arts, becoming a world renowned artist and producing over 3000 pieces of art, including oils, acrylics, water colors, pastels, charcoals, inks, and woodcuts in a variety of styles, including expressionist and abstract, of portraits and land- and cityscapes.

The Perot Family Honorary Scholarship was awarded to Mr. Tony Betton of Jonesboro, GA. Tony is the son of Sergeant First Class (retired) Sheryl Betton of Jonesboro. Tony will enter Georgia State University in the fall where he will major in mass communications. The Perot Family and the Hillwood Corporation, which is a Perot Family Enterprise headquartered in Dallas, are strong supporters of the U.S. military and of Army families. They are dedicated to assisting our military members and to promoting educational opportunities for Army family members.

The KBR Honorary Scholarship is awarded to Ms. Madison Witzke of Holcomb, KS. Madison is the daughter of Sergeant First Class and Mrs. William Witzke. SFC Witzke is assigned to A Battery, 1st Battalion 161st Field Artillery at Dodge City, KS. Madison is a sophomore at Evangel University in Springfield, MO majoring in elementary education. KBR is headquartered in Houston, TX. KBR is a leading global engineering, construction, and services company supporting the government services, energy, petrochemicals, and civil infrastructure sectors. The company employs over 50,000 people worldwide in locations that include Australia, Africa, the UK, Asia, and the Middle East. KBR has built a proud history and a leading market position in the government infrastructure (G&I) sector by being a low-cost, high-efficiency, and absolutely reliable provider. Not only is KBR the largest contractor for the United States Army and a top-ten contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense, it is currently the world’s largest defense services provider.

The BAE Systems Honorary Scholarship was is awarded to Mr. Taylor Curry of Vicenza, Italy. Mr. Curry’s father, Master Sergeant Michael S, Curry, Jr. was killed in action on 23 July 2007 while serving in combat in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry of the 173d Airborne Brigade. Taylor remained in Vicenza with his mother and brother while attending and graduating from Vicenza High School. Taylor is a junior at Columbia University in New York City majoring in political science. BAE Systems is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. The company provides support and service solutions for current and future defense, intelligence, and civilian systems, and designs, develops and manufactures a wide range of electronic systems and subsystems for both military and commercial applications. They also design, develop, produce, and provide service support of armored combat vehicles, artillery systems and intelligent munitions.

An anonymous scholarship was awarded to Mrs. Maria Decastro of Fort Hood, Texas. Maria is the spouse of Staff Sergeant Damian Decastro who is assigned to B Company, U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Command, Texas A&M University. Mrs. Decastro is a senior at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at Belton, TX. She is studying nursing.

The Association of the U.S. Army, North Texas Chapter Honorary Scholarship was awarded to Ms. Hope Carter of Selma, Texas. Hope is the daughter of Captain and Mrs. Jared Carter. CPT Carter is assigned to the 228th Combat Support Hospital at Fort Sam Houston, TX. Hope graduated from the Judson Early College Academy in Live Oak, TX and will enter Texas A&M University at College Station, TX in the fall. The Association of the U.S. Army is a private, non-profit educational organization that supports America’s Army – the Active, National Guard, and Reserve components, Department of the Army civilians, Wounded Warriors, retirees, veterans, and family members. AUSA provides numerous professional development opportunities at a variety of events both local and national. The North Texas Chapter of AUSA is one of the most active and largest in the Association.

The Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Honorary Scholarship is awarded to Ms. Jennifer Stawski of Junction City, KS. Jennifer’s father, Tom Stawski, retired from the Army as a staff sergeant following over twenty years service including combat operations in Desert Storm. Jennifer is a junior at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS where she is majoring in youth ministry and athletic training. Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, headquartered in Redondo Beach, California, is an approximately $10 billion business and is a premier provider of manned and unmanned aircraft, space systems, and advanced technologies critical to our nation’s security.

The General Dynamics Corporation Honorary Scholarship is awarded to Ms. Meagan Hilty of Clymer, PA. Meagan graduated from Penns Manor High School and will enter St. Francis University in Loretto, PA in the fall. Meagan is the daughter of retired Master Sergeant Daniel Hilty. General Dynamics is located in Falls Church, Virginia, and is a market leader in business aviation, land and expeditionary combat vehicles and systems, armaments and munitions, shipbuilding and marine systems, and mission-critical information systems and technology.

The Fluor Corporation Honorary Scholarships were awarded to 11 Army family member students. For more than 100 years, Fluor has partnered with clients to design, build, and maintain many of the world’s most challenging and complex capital projects. Through its global network, Fluor’s 41,000 employees provide comprehensive capabilities and world-class expertise in engineering, procurement, construction and operations, maintenance, and project management. Today, the company serves a global client base in the energy, chemicals, government, industrial, infrastructure, operations and maintenance, manufacturing and life sciences, mining, power, and transportation sectors. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Fluor supports the U.S. military by providing a wide range of services both domestically and abroad. Fluor Corporation Honorary Scholarships were awarded to:

Ms. Amanda Bechel of Fort Bragg, NC. Amanda is the spouse of Specialist Benjamin Bechtel who is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery at Fort Bragg. Amanda is a senior at Fayetteville State University in NC where she is majoring in biopsychology.

Ms. Shrara Benyamin-Lestina of Fort Lewis, WA. Shrara is the spouse of Specialist Adam Lestina who is assigned to the 2d Battalion, 12th Artillery at Fort Lewis. Amanda is a sophomore at Pierce College in Lakewood, WA where she is majoring in biological environmental science.

Ms. Kaitlin Bruneau of Cookeville, TN. Kaitlin is the daughter of Sergeant Major Louis Bruneau of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY. Kaitlin is a sophomore at Furman University in Greenville, SC studying health science and pre medicine.

Ms. Kelsey Hobart of Naples, NY. Kelsey’s father, Corporal Michael Hobart, died on active duty at Fort Drum, NY in 2005. Kelsey is a senior at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA where she is studying pre-medicine.

Ms. Paige Hobart of Naples, NY. Paige’s father, Corporal Michael Hobart, died on active duty at Fort Drum, NY in 2005. Paige is a sophomore Gannon University in Eire, PA where she is studying Physical Therapy.

Mr. Paul Hossenlopp of Belton, TX. Paul is the son of COL and Mrs. Paul Hossenlopp; COL Hossenlopp is serving with the NATO Rapid Deployment Corps in Turkey. Paul is a junior at the University of Texas majoring in radio, television and film.

Mr. Bradley Kasper of Mandan, ND. Bradley is the son of Sergeant Major and Mrs. Donald Kasper. SGM Kasper is serving in the National Guard on active duty with the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery at Grand Forks, ND. Bradley will enter North Dakota State University and study business in the fall.

Ms. Samantha Rose of Fort Campbell, KY. Samantha is the spouse of Sergeant Jason Rose who is assigned to Headquarters, 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Fort Campbell. Samantha is a junior at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN where she is majoring in social work.

Mr. John Russell of Mobile, AL. John’s parents are Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Patrick Russell of Hanceville, AL. John is a senior at Springhill College in Mobile, majoring in biochemistry.

Mr. Rickey Skoog, Jr. of Elizabethtown, KY. Rickey’s parents are retired Staff Sergeant and Mrs. Rickey Skoog. Rickey is a senior at the University of Kentucky with a double major in political science and in kinesiology and secondary education.

Ms. Kristy Sommers of Greenleaf, WI. Kristy is the spouse of Specialist Noah Summers who is serving with B Company, 2d Battalion, 502d Brigade Combat Team at Fort Campbell, KY. He is currently deployed with his unit in Afghanistan. Kristy is a senior at Bellin College of Nursing in Green Bay, WI studying nursing.

The Army Scholarship Foundation also announced the additional award of ten scholarships to deserving children and spouses of United States Army soldiers and veterans and to spouses of active duty enlisted soldiers. Scholarships were awarded to:

Ms. Catherine Delgado of Jacksonville, FL. Catherine is the daughter of former Specialist Liliana Delgado. Catherine will attend Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and study computer science.

Ms. Melia Dukes of Lakeland, FL. Melia’s father was a Specialist in the Army, Melia will attend the University of Central Florida and major in legal studies.

Ms. Jaymee Elias of Naples, FL. Jaymee’s father served as a Sergeant in the Army. Jaymee is attending Florida Gulf Coast University as a sophomore majoring in biology.

Mrs. Shelby Johnson of Remsen, Iowa who is the spouse of Specialist Jacob Johnson. Specialist Johnson is assigned to A Troop, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry at Fort Bragg, NC. Shelby is majoring in Interior Design at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Ms. Jinah Kim of Chandler, AZ. Jinah is the daughter of Captain (Chaplain) Taylor Kim. CPT Kim is serving with the 350th MI Battalion at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Jinah is a sophomore at Barrett Honors College of Arizona State University studying psychology and biological science.

Ms. Amy Tiner of Fort Hood, TX. Amy is the spouse of Sergeant Rodney Tiner who has just departed on change of station from the 3d Battalion, 6th Artillery at Fort Drum, NY to Fort Hood. Amy is a sophomore at Mary Hardin Baylor University in Belton, TX studying nursing.

Ms. Brittany Williams of San Diego, CA. Brittany is the daughter of Major and Mrs. Eric Williams of San Diego. She will enter DePaul University in Chicago and study communications.

Ms. Emily Woolard of Greensboro, NC. Emily is the daughter of Joe Wollard who served as a Sergeant. Emily is a sophomore at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC where she is majoring in biology and psychology.

Ms. Cheyenne Wright of Columbia, MD. Cheyenne is the daughter of Sergeant First Class and Mrs. Christopher Wright. SFC Wright is serving at Wright Patterson Air Force Base with the 2100th Military Intelligence Group. Cheyenne is studying international journalism at the American University in London.

Ms. Ka ram Yang of Whiawa, Hawaii. Ka ram is the daughter of Sergeant and Mrs. Seong Yang. Sergeant Yang is serving with C Troop, 2d Squadron, 6th Cavalry at Wheeler Army Airfield, HI. Ka ram will enter Boston University and study science in the fall.

The Army Scholarship Foundation was founded in 2001 by concerned Army veterans who desired to continue their service to the Nation and to support and assist families of Army soldiers. The Army Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships to deserving sons and daughters of US Army soldiers and Army veterans, as well as to spouses of serving active duty enlisted soldiers. The Foundation is sustained by the generous donations of its supporters. Tax deductible donations can be sent to the Army Scholarship Foundation, 1700 Preston Road, Suite 660-301, Dallas, Texas 75230 or be made on this web site.

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