On May 22, the Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship Fund presented $27,000 in scholarships to deserving family members of soldiers, retirees, and Gold Star Families living within a 50-mile radius of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). This year, 19 high school students, four university recipients and three Army spouses were awarded scholarships. Scholarship coordinators Paula Skandis and Robin Elliott presented the scholarships. Jamie Lynn Blum, president, Lewis Community Spouses' Club (LCSC), and Angela Allen, Treasurer, LCSC, presented Clare Marsh Scholarships to deserving Army spouses. The Lakes High School Army JROTC Color Guard provided the posting and retiring of the colors.

Army spouse and board member Angie Melnyk served as Master of Ceremonies. "I enjoy working with our board to provide scholarships to deserving dependents. It's a very rewarding experience to know you're helping give people the chance to go to school."

The Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship Fund was established in 1989 by spouses to further the educational goals of spouses and children of active-duty, retired, and surviving family members of Army soldiers. "It is and has been my honor to be on the Scholarship Board for about 13 years in various positions. I am humbled by the continual generous support from our donors, especially JBLM nonprofit organizations who work so hard with fund-raising activities in order to support our purpose. Thanks to the vision of the founders of the Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship Fund in 1989, donations from the JBLM community are centralized and family members complete only one application," said Vicki Jurgensmeier.  

Donations to fund the 2019 scholarships came from the LCSC, Fort Lewis Thrift Shop, Farrelli's Management Services, the Sergeants Major Association of the NW, Dahlke Orthodontics and private donations. Funds were also raised through the Amazon Smiles Program and the JCPenney My Giving Program.

Applications for the 2020 scholarships will be available after the beginning of the new year. For more information about the program, visit: FortLewisScholarship.com. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. If you would like more information on donating to this worthwhile cause, email the committee at ftlewisfamilyscholarship@gmail.com.

THE 2019 FORT LEWIS FAMILY MEMBER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

High School Recipients

Terri Ajifu, Clover Park High School

Lexi Allen, Bellarmine Preparatory School

Kennedy Baydo, Timberline High School

Frances Buendia, River Ridge High School

Isabela Burke, Yelm High School

Leah Capindo, Timberline High School

Forrest Dudley, Olympia High School

Joseph Hoidon, Bellarmine Preparatory School

Jordin Koonce, Puyallup High School

Kurtis Lakner, Tacoma Baptist High School

Mya Marion, Steilacoom High School

Anika-Jo Muna, Spanaway Lake High School

Molly Oroho, Lakes High School

Derrick Platt, Yelm High School

Carson Prairie, Lakes High School

Zachary Rowe, Steilacoom High School

Olivia Shepard, Steilacoom High School

Gabriella Trevino, Lakes High School

Katherine Wilton, Harrison Preparatory School

University Recipients for Dependent Children

Taylor Cox, Kennesaw State University

Kathryn Graham, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Kim Graham, Purdue University

Kyla Marks, Washington State University

University Recipients for Spouses

Ashlyn Cameron and Crystal Potter, Western Governor's University

Lorena Urruela, American Public University