KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) Auxiliary is pleased to announce the winners of its annual Continuing Education Scholarship. Four $1,000 scholarships were awarded, one in each of the four Auxiliary Conferences.
Amanda Williams was named the winner of the Big 10 Conference. Williams, a Life Member and President of Auxiliary 8512 in Almena, Wisconsin, has been accepted to study psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Barron County. She said the scholarship will allow her to achieve her goal of putting her degree to work by counseling veterans who need help transitioning back to civilian life. As the mother of a special needs child, the funds will also prevent her family from being burdened with student loan debt.
Kyla Marino was named the winner of the Eastern Conference. Marino, a Life Member of Auxiliary 7227 in Carthage, New York, plans to study special education at Jefferson Community College, and said the scholarship will help her pay for college on her own, without having to incur student loan debt or ask for her parents to take on the expense.
Stacy Cremeans was named the winner of the Southern Conference. Cremeans, a Life Member of Auxiliary 4709 in Conroe, Texas, has been accepted to Sam Houston State University to study clinical mental health counseling. Cremeans is also a blind single parent to a daughter who is in college. Due to limited income, she is sharing an apartment with her mother, so the scholarship will help her pay for textbooks and other needed adaptive technology required to complete her courses.
Drema Harmon was named the winner of the Western Conference. Harmon, a member of Auxiliary 10254 in Tucson, Arizona, plans to attend the University of Arizona to study physiology, then enroll in Midwestern University’s physical therapy program and go on to get a doctorate in physical therapy. She said with a mother who has had to support their family on her own, the scholarship will allow her to pay for classes not in the budget and not covered by federal financial aid.
Established in 2005, the Continuing Education Scholarship assists Auxiliary members and their immediate family members (spouse, son or daughter) who wish to further their education by pursuing a college degree or career direction at a vocational/technical school. For more information about VFW Auxiliary scholarships, visit www.vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.
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About the VFW Auxiliary: The VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organizations and our members are the relatives of those who have served in overseas combat. We have nearly 465,000 members representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several foreign-based Auxiliaries who volunteer millions of hours and give millions of dollars to support veterans, military service personnel, and their families.
We are a voice for veterans on Capitol Hill and are instrumental in assisting the VFW pass or block legislation that impacts veterans and their families. We are one of the top 10 providers of volunteer hours in the VA medical system. Every year, members fundraise millions of dollars for charitable projects that benefit veterans and their families. We also provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships for our nation’s youth. With more than 4,000 Auxiliaries, there is likely one in your area working to improve the lives of America’s uncommon heroes. Learn more at www.vfwauxiliary.org.