Last updated 8/26/2024
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Scholarship News
by Linda Hamblin
For the 2024/2025 school year there were four OAEA scholarship applications received in time for consideration.. Two other applications were postmarked well after the cutoff and after the committee had already decided on awards, and unfortunately missed the judging.
All four of those eligible received moneys. Three of the applicants were awarded $2000 each in memory of Georgia and Earl "Buz" Dryfoose (click here to read more about these wonderful people). The fourth applicant was bestowed $1000 and also a special $500 award donated by Michelle Cooke. This year's awardees were: Connor Cowan (sponsored by grandfather Francis McDevitt); Jackson Barstow (sponsored by Jefferson Barstow); Katelyn Barrett (sponsored by grandmother Joyce Hopkins); and Kyle Paleologos (sponsored by Daniel Jennings). Recipient statements follow below.
As a reminder, sponsors must give the OAEA scholarship applicant a
statement to include with the scholarship application. The lack of sponsor’s
statement is an ongoing issue, and automatically makes the applicant ineligible for consideration for an award. The OAEA sponsor also must fill out and sign the
sponsor’s portion of the application.
If you want to sponsor someone, consider completion of your portion early and email or snail mail it to the
applicant.
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Connor Cowan
Connor Cowan
earned a $1000 scholarship, part of which was donated by Max Perlitsh in memory
of his brothers who served in WWII.
Connor was
sponsored by his grandfather Francis McDevitt of MA. Connor will be attending
Florida Gulf Coast University. His declared major is criminal justice.
Ultimately his goal is to become a police officer.
Connor also
received the Robert Berube $500 scholarship award donated by Michelle Cooke.
This award was only open to those OAEA sponsors who were either Civil Engineer
Corps or one of the Seabee enlisted ratings. He was the only person who
applied.
Hello,
I just
wanted to say thank you so much for the 2 scholarships. This will significantly
help me with college expenses. So again, I just wanted to say thank you!
Best,
Connor Cowan
Jackson Barstow
My name is
Jackson Barstow and my OAEA sponsor was my grandfather, Jefferson Barstow. I am
profoundly grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the 2024 Earl “Buz”
and Georgia Dryfoose Scholarship. The honor was extra special to me when I
learned of their legacy and the incredible impact that Mr. and Mrs. Dryfoose
had in the world. I will be attending Michigan State University as a freshman
this fall, and like Georgia Dryfoose, my degree focus is in education. My
future goal is to become an elementary school teacher, focusing on grades 3-6.
Michigan State has one of the top elementary education programs in the US and I
am looking forward to learning everything I can in their program. While their
program is exceptional, it does come with a hefty cost and your generosity will
help support me in reaching my educational goal and in paying for my education.
Kind Regards,
Jackson
Barstow
Katelyn Barrett
Katelyn Barrett
will be entering her sophomore year at Southern Arkansas University Tech. Her
major is business administration, and next year she plans to transfer to a
4-year university to get a Bachelor’s Degree in sports marketing. She was
sponsored by her grandmother, Joyce Hopkins of Texas. Joyce is the widow of RM2
Jesse Hopkins.
Joyce replied, “Thank
you. She’s so happy.” upon hearing of the award to Katelyn.
Katelyn replied
via email immediately upon learning of her award: “Thank you so much for
this opportunity!”
OAEA members and scholarship committee,
I want to
personally thank you for awarding me the OAEA scholarship in memory of Georgia
& Earl “Buz” Dryfoose. The money was used towards my tuition. I will be
starting my sophomore year at Southern Arkansas University Tech. I am studying
in business administration and plan to move into the sports marketing industry.
I will also be playing my second year on the rocket softball team as a catcher.
Katelyn Barrett
Klye Paleologos
plans to become a commercial pilot for an airline. He obtained his private
pilot’s license during his senior year of high school and took on-line college
courses to get a head start. Kyle will attend Auburn University in Alabama; his
major is professional flight.
Thank you
for selecting me as the recipient of the Georgia & Earl "Buz"
Dryfoose Scholarship for 2024. I am very appreciative of the support.
I am excited
to start college at Auburn University this month to pursue a degree in
professional flight.
Thank you
for helping me achieve my goal of becoming a professional pilot.
Sincerely,
Kyle
Paleologos