Spouses' Clubs award $54K in scholarships

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. James Hodgman
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, California --  The Travis Officers' and Enlisted Spouses' Clubs awarded 19 scholarships totaling $54,000 to high school and college students during their annual Military Dependent Scholarship Award Ceremony May 22 at Travis Air Force Base, California.

"One of our primary goals is to support the Travis Air Force Base community and we do this in several ways, but the scholarship program is by far the largest way we give back to the Travis community," said Gretchen Elameto, Travis Officer Spouses' Club president.

"We're are recognizing the recipients for academic excellence, their work in the community and their essays," Elameto said.

Each applicant submitted an essay on the topic, "A Peaceful World," and a three-judge panel selected the winners.

Chief Master Sgt. Alan Boling, 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief, congratulated each scholarship recipient.

"This is the first time I've seen such a diverse group receiving scholarships," he said. "We have high school students, spouses, continuing education students receiving scholarships today and it's not easy, especially for our spouses. Continuing education when you're holding down jobs and raising families is not easy. Congratulations ... we're proud of each of you."

Boling also asked each scholarship recipient to make the most of their education.

"This is a pretty exciting time in your lives," Boling said. "You're getting ready to take a big step. Everything you've learned up to this point and all the investment people have put into you is what has made you successful, but that same investment is what will lead to your success as you step into the next chapter of your lives.

"This community, our spouses are investing in you. They're investing in you because they see promise in each and every one of you. They see the potential to be great and that's the one thing you owe each one of us. Do your best each and every day in your classes or with your work. This community only succeeds if we have people to carry on the giving spirit and the success that our sponsors, spouses' clubs and community has given you."

Jean Marx, Enlisted Spouses' Club scholarship for military dependents program co-chairperson, said it's important to give back to the community.

"We want to give back and contribute to the success of our military families, ultimately making Travis a great place to live," she said. "Military families face unique challenges that others don't. They may move frequently, have to change jobs or schools and those changes can bring a great deal of stress."

Marx said she was thrilled to be part of the scholarship event.

"We were able to see the difference we can make in the lives of our high school seniors, college students and spouses," she said. "To see those smiling faces, it's just awesome."

The scholarship recipients are:

Abigayle Bryant

Trinity Cain

Valentina Couse-Baker

Jacob DeAlejandro

Darby Glover

Heather Hadley

Rita Hobbs

Ryan Jackson

David Kelley

Patrick Luckey

Ericka Moore

Jessica Paddock

Abigail Pauly

Kristofer Petnicki

Margaret Svabek

Zachary Vaughn

Ashlyn Weaver

Halim Whiteside

Jared Wood