Mount Vernon Chapter, MOAA

The Chair of the Scholarship Fund, COL Russ Henderson, presented Scholarship Fund grants to eight deserving cadets at the May dinner meeting. The Selection Committee was greatly impressed by the outstanding achievements, poise, and confidence of each of the cadets interviewed. Each cadet demonstrates tremendous promise as a future officer of the United States of America. This year eight outstanding cadets were awarded total of $10,500. Listed is the name of the cadet, high school, award amount, and school he/she will attend in the fall:

MVC/MOAA 2007-2008 ACADEMIC YEAR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Your Chapter’s Scholarship Selection Committee, under the experienced leadership of LTC Rock Wheeler, USA (Ret), met on 4 May at the Heritage Presbyterian Church to interview and select recipients of the Chapter’s academic year 2007-2008 scholarship awards. CDR Doug Borden, USN (Ret), Chairman of the Scholarship Fund Board of Directors, briefed the Committee on the procedures for interviewing the JROTC cadets nominated for the scholarships and deciding on the awards.     

After reviewing the candidate’s records and conducting the interviews, the Committee selected the following cadets as recipients of the Chapter Scholarship awards:

• Cadet Captain C.J. Miller, Gar-Field Senior High School, $2,000, will attend the University of Washington
• Cadet Captain Min Jung, Thomas Edison High School, $2,000, will attend VMI
• Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Cameron Piontek, West Potomac High School, $1,500, will attend NVCC and GMU if not selected for admission to USCGA
• Cadet Captain Christine Boyd, Hayfield Secondary School, $1,000, will attend Virginia Tech
• Cadet Sergeant Major Kyle Smith, Mount Vernon High School, $1000, will attend Texas A&M University
• Cadet Command Master Chief Sean Eberle, Potomac High School, $1,000, will attend VMI if not selected for admission to USMA        

Each cadet was presented with a certificate of recognition of their military leadership and academic record at the conclusion of the interview.

At the 21 May Chapter dinner meeting, the six cadets, their parents, and their Senior Military Instructors were recognized, and the cadets were presented their checks.      

The Scholarship Committee acknowledges, with thanks, recent contributions of members Deborah Johnston, Bob Rosa, Lisa Cramer, and Richard and Betty McManus. The generosity of Chapter members and guests is continuing evidence of the Chapter’s proud support of young adults who have chosen to dedicate a portion of their lives to the service of our country. We wish each of them success in every endeavor, and we thank our Chapter members for their contributions to this important Chapter program.

Beginning in the 1995-1996 timeframe, the Board of Directors of the Mount Vernon Chapter gave increasing thought to establishing a program for awarding grant money to deserving local area high school graduates of the Junior ROTC program. They formed a Scholarship Committee which proceeded to identify and resolve the organizational and legal matters necessary to establish a charitable fund supported by tax-deductible contributions.  As the program took shape, an incorporation charter and bylaws were developed. They authorized the solicitation of funds and outlined the procedures for nominating applicants and for designating awards to graduating cadets who would attend accredited colleges, universities or other technical institutions and a college-level ROTC program. This program allows for the awarding of scholarships to deserving applicants who need not be military dependents to enter the competition, thereby extending the program to unconnected but potential future members of MOAA.

The bylaws of the Scholarship Fund, which contain provisions for a Board of Directors and staff of officers - a President, a secretary, and a Treasurer - were approved by the Chapter Board of Directors. The President is the Fund’s point of contact and Board and staff positions are filled by volunteer Chapter members.  The members of the Board of Directors function as the Selection Committee, under the guidance and governance of  a Chairman who is not a Director. The bylaws contain a provision whereby a woman can supplement the Selection Committee as a subject area specialist for addressing matters of particular interest to female applicants.

Part of the challenge in developing such a program was in identifying the potential beneficiaries. It was decided to announce the scholarship competition in the fall of each year in connection with, but apart from the Chapter’s MOAA medals awards program at ten local high schools. The school officials and JROTC unit administrators at these institutions fully endorsed the Chapter’s objectives and generosity in supporting award recipients in their pursuit of commissioned military service and their potential eventual beneficial membership in MOAA.

The Chapter received its first member contributions in January 2002.  The first Selection Committee was convened, and the first award of $500 was made in the spring of the same year. The initial implementation of the program was considered an unqualified success by the members of the Selection Committee and the Chapter members. The program matured as an increasing number of Chapter members came to believe in the objectives of the program and backed their beliefs with monetary contributions. Thus, in 2003, three cadets were provided grants totaling $1,750; in 2004, four cadets received awards amounting to $2,250; and in 2005, three cadets were awarded a total of $2,500.
 

As the Scholarship Fund increased, it received more and more publicity about the program within the Chapter and at the local high schools, Chapter members developed more interest in the purpose and intent of the program, and contributions increased to the point where $3,500 was awarded in 2006 to two outstanding women cadets. JROTC Senior Military Instructors at Hayfield Secondary School, and Thomas Edison, Quantico, Mount Vernon, and West Potomac High Schools nominated five more cadets who were honored for their achievements during the 2006-2007 Academic Year, and the total amount awarded to them reached $7,000.

The continued success of this important Chapter program was highlighted on May 21, 2008, when six deserving cadets were presented with checks totaling $8,500 at the Chapter’s regular monthly dinner meeting. Parents, Senior Military Instructors, and Chapter members were on hand to share in the rewarding experiences of the outstanding young men and women.

In the seven years of its existence, richly supported by Chapter members and friends, the Mount Vernon Chapter Scholarship Fund has provided monetary grants in the amount of $25,500 to 23 cadets. It fully expects the program to continue behind the enthusiastic support of the Board of Directors and Chapter members and friends.

Donor Appreciation Program

The following individuals have received Donor Appreciation Awards:

• Chuck and Susie Davis
• Helen Maulsby
• Clarence Moore
• Ranald and Jeannette Adams
• George and Maria Randolph
• Dick and Eve McIntosh
• Paul and Mary Ellen Mehler
• Gus and Margaret Braun
• Elias and Kathryn Covington
• Arnold and Dorothy Porter
• Roger and Suzanne Shafer
• Jim Froid
• Jack Leffler
• Larry and Charlotte Dickerson
• Roch and Paula Wheeler
• Clarence Moore

Donor contributions to our Chapter Scholarship Fund reached new highs in 2006.  Your generosity proved that we care about tomorrow’s military leaders.  When we started the Scholarship Fund we stated that about $25,000 was needed to sustain meaningful scholarships.  At the conclusion of 2006 we had $32,000 in the bank!  We have already awarded $10,000 in scholarships to outstanding students the past five years, and, thanks to your support, we can continue this valuable program.

2006 Scholarship Winners

Thanks to your generosity, the Mount Vernon Chapter Scholarship Fund Board of Directors, under the leadership of Jess Hernandez, has selected the following JROTC cadets as scholarship recipients for the 2005-2006 school year:

• Cadet Captain Elizabeth Harrington, Quantico High School, $2000
• Cadet Captain Katie Ellis, West Potomac High School, $1500

The Scholarship Selection Committee, consisting of Rock and Paula Wheeler, Otto Pribram, Annette Brown, Chuck Davis, and Doug Borden, presented the awards at the May Dinner Meeting.  To view photos and for additional details, see the June issue of the Despatch.

Congratulations and best wishes to our future military leaders!

Previous Scholarship Winner Excels

Cadet Brandon Harrington, a second classman at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) was recently selected to compete against his peers from 19 countries at the NATO Military Skills Competition in Belgium. 

Cadet Harrington was one of the top performers at the 2005 U.S. Joint Forces Leader Development and Advanced Military Skills Training Course, resulting in his selection to the U.S. Joint Forces Military Competitions Team.

Congratulations to Cadet Harrington and his family!  We are proud of you!

The Mount Vernon Chapter Scholarship Fund is duly registered as a charitable organization.  The ultimate goal is to increase the principal of the Fund so that annual interest will pay the cash scholarship that will be awarded to a deserving JROTC student each year.  The scholarship amount is currently set at $500.  At current low interest rate levels, the Fund must increase substantially before it can pay the interest that will cover the $500 scholarship.

To join other Members in rewarding outstanding JROTC students, please send your tax-deductible contributions to: MVC/MOAA, P. O. Box 97, Mount Vernon, VA 22121-0097.