FORT BENNING, Ga., (June 4, 2014) -- The MSG Jared Van Aalst Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded to honor the memory of a fallen Special Operations warrior, announces the scholarship recipients for the 2014-2015 academic year.
After a careful and arduous selection process, 16 high school students were selected from an impressive pool of applicants. Thirteen scholarship awardees are from the Chattahoochee Valley and the other three from Iowa, Louisiana, and North Carolina.
A formal presentation will take place at 8 a.m. June 14 during Opening Ceremonies for this year's 4th annual JVA Memorial Foundation 10K/5K Race outside Big Dog Running Company in Uptown Columbus. Proceeds from the race help fund scholarships.
Another $1,000 will be awarded to and managed by the United Survivors Warrior Fund, to assist a surviving spouse with his or her education.
Since the foundation's inception in 2011, it has granted $45,000 to worthy students to pursue their higher education dreams.
Nicholas Sargent, this year's Jared Van Aalst scholar from Brookstone School will begin his engineering studies at Georgia Tech in the fall. His goal is to contribute to the ongoing development of the TALOS (Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit) project.
"I am so honored to be named this year's JVA scholar," Sargent said. "It is a privilege to have my name associated with this brave warrior. Receiving the Jared Van Aalst scholarship will allow me to focus more on my studies, while worrying less about the financial side of going to college."
"Jared was a proponent of higher education and lifelong learning, and the foundation is proud to help young men and women - many the children of active-duty Soldiers - pursue and achieve their educational dreams, said Katie Van Aalst, president and founder of The MSG Jared Van Aalst Memorial Foundation. "We're grateful for the amazing support from our local community that enabled us to provide these scholarships."
After Van Aalst died from wounds inflicted during combat operations in Kunduz province in Afghanistan, his widow established the MSG Jared Van Aalst Memorial Foundation with support from his Family and friends to honor his life and legacy. For more information, visit: www.jvafoundation.org.
JVA Memorial Foundation is a registered 501c3 organization.
MSG Jared Van Aalst scholarship recipients
MSG Jared Van Aalst Scholar Award ($3,500)
(Military dependent and varsity athlete with a 4.0 GPA)
•Nicholas Sargent - Brookstone School
MSG Jared Van Aalst Memorial Award ($2,500)
(Military dependent and varsity athlete a 3.5 GPA)
•Shannon Acosta - Northside High School
•Michael Manfield - St. Anne-Pacelli High School
•Matthew Meyer - St. Anne-Pacelli High School
MSG Jared Van Aalst General Award ($1,500)
(Non-military dependent and varsity athlete with a 3.5 GPA)
•Julia Clark - Harris County High School
•Sarah Howard - Harris County High School
•Kendra Moore - Columbus High School
Merit Award ($500)
•William Clark - Columbus High School
•Brittany Ginner - Columbus High School
•Cameron Hite - Columbus High School
•Cora Hudgins - Northside High School
•Alec Silva - St. Anne-Pacelli High School
•Rachel Spencer - Northside High school
•Cade Matherne - Louisiana
•Robert Sketch - North Carolina
•Tyler Frideres - Iowa
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