FORT BENNING, Ga. – The Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning’s housing privatization partner, The Villages, held its annual Michaels Educational Foundation Scholarship Awards Luncheon on July 14, 2025, at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia.
A total of 10 Fort Benning resident scholars were recognized at the event and received certificates of academic achievement from Kimberly Collins, The Villages community director, and Rich Foster, Michaels Organization asset manager. To be considered for the scholarship, applicants had to meet specific criteria, including being a servicemember or dependent living in base housing through The Villages, academic performance, character attributes, proficiency in their chosen field of study, and submission of a 500-word essay.
The scholarship program was established by the Michaels Organization Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that awards scholarships during the academic year to students living in military housing communities. Funding is provided through voluntary contributions from companies and private individuals.
“Fort Benning continues to remain thankful for our partnership with the Michaels Organization and the Villages,” said John Strange, Fort Benning Garrison Chief of Housing. “We are very appreciative of our partners and recognize they do more than just the maintenance on our servicemembers homes, they also take care of our military families, through this scholarship and their investment in people.”
For the 2025-26 academic year, the foundation awarded a total of $108,000 to the 10 Fort Benning resident scholars. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $1.1 million to 122 military families.
“This event is a representation of how we can give back to our community.” said Kailie Comerford, The Villages marketing manager. “And that’s what we are at our core, The Micheals Organization. We build communities.”
Comerford continued to say, “Our job as community builders doesn’t just stop with houses and maintenance, it includes community building, building people’s lives up and reenforcing that commitment to servicemembers and their families with events like the one held today.”
Scholarship winners and their families expressed their gratitude at the end of the ceremony.
“When I found out, I was just so excited and was almost brought to tears, because it’s just such a blessing.” said award recipient Sophia Hayes. “This scholarship has allowed me to pursue a future and education without financial stress.”
Sophia plans to attend the University of North Georgia in the Fall 2026, where she will pursue a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education, with the goal of one day becoming a pediatric occupational therapist.
“I was in tears when we got the letter saying Sophia was selected for the scholarship,” said Bethany Hayes, mother of Sophia Hayes. “We are so proud of Sophia and all the hard work she has tirelessly put in to make it to where she is now. This really is just an honor.”
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