2009 Scholarship Winners, Page 2

Jason Garman

Seymour, Connecticut

Currently pursuing a B.S. degree in civil engineering at Lafayette College with a current overall GPA of 3.65 and a major GPA of 3.78. An active member of ASCE, and an executive board member of the Lafayette Sports Marketing Club Eric studied engineering and German politics and culture in Bremen, Germany, last spring, as well as finance and investment banking in Lugano, Switzerland, last summer.

This award is made in the name of Capt Augustus E. Brewer, USMC, who served with distinction during the 1950s and '60s as a fighter pilot in the western Pacific. He also served as a flight instructor and Marine air group staff officer. As a civilian, Capt Brewer resided in San Diego, Calif., where he volunteered as the squadron historian for VMFA-323. He died in May 2000.

Joanna Eisenacher

Columbia, Maryland

Joanna is a student at the University of Maryland University College where she is studying homeland security. She is a Dean's List student with a 4.00 GPA and is a member of the Student History Club and the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Forum. Joanna is the daughter of LCDR John J. Anayannis, USN(Ret) who was a Naval Flight Officer with VQ-2 flying the EA-3B Skywarrior and VQ-6 flying the ES-3A Shadow. John also served tours as USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) tactical action and electronic warfare officer and at the staff Naval Air Systems Command.

This scholarship is awarded in memory of LT Kevin Colling, USN, a Blue Angel who was killed on 28 October 1999. Kevin graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1989. Commissioned through AOCS, he earned his wings in May 1992. Kevin flew the F-14 Tomcat with VF-21 and the F/A-18 Hornet with VFA-37 and VFA-106. He was the 1998 Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic Pilot of the Year. He joined the Blue Angels in September 1999 and had more than 1,500 flight hours and 350 carrier arrested landings.

Jordyn Emmert

Bristol, Tennessee

Jordyn is a Spanish major at Eastern University in St. Davids, Penn, although she is currently studying in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After graduation, she hopes to work for a humanitarian organization. Jordyn's goal is to finish her degree and receive a certification in English as a Second Language education.

This scholarship is awarded in memory of LCDR Kieron “Tater” O'Connor, USN, a Blue Angel who was killed on 28 October 1999 at Moody AFB, Ga. Kieron was from Burtonsville, Md., and graduated from Catholic University of America in 1988. Commissioned through AOCS, he earned his wings in October 1990. During his career he served with VFA-81, VFA-131 and VFA-106. Kieron joined the Blue Angels in September 1998. He accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours and 295 carrier arrested landings.

Mariam Amr

Normal, Illinois

Mariam is a junior at Eastern Illinois University, where she is a speech pathology major with a 4.0 GPA. She is also active in the Philosophy Club, Hall Council Exec Board, the community's Pregnancy Center's Campus Outreach Group, Hello Dali Improv Comedy, and does a small amount of acting on the side. She hopes to get her master's degree in speech pathology with a concentration in accent reduction, as well as work part time as an actress.

LtCol Christy holds a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from Princeton and is an associate member of Experimental Test Pilots. As a Marine fighter pilot, he flew two tours of duty in Vietnam, one as squadron CO, and commanded the flight test division at NAS Point Mugu. In 1976, LtCol Christy formed Golden Jet Airways in Los Angeles, and in 1980 co-founded The Air Group, a business jet sales and charter service where he was the executive vice president for operations. LtCol Christy retired December 2007.

Amanda Taylor Smith

Auburn, Alabama

Amanda is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina. She is a member of the Honors College and maintains a 4.0 GPA. Currently, her major is pre-pharmacy. She is also a member of the Gamecock cross-country team, which was the number one academic team in the NCAA Division I for the 2008 season.

Marion Carl was commissioned in 1939 and embarked on a unique 34-year career during which he got his first kill at the Battle of Midway and became the Marines first Ace, finishing the war with 18.5 kills. After World War II he graduated in the first class of the Navy Test Pilot School, was the Corps' first helicopter pilot and set world altitude and speed records flying the Douglas D-558-1. He commanded the Corps' first jet squadron and took the First Brigade to Vietnam in 1965 flying in both helos and jet fighters. He finished his career as Inspector General of the Marine Corps. MajGen Carl was killed by an intruder into his Roseburg, Ore. home in June 1998 at the age of 82.

Kristen Brao

Hamilton, Massachusetts

Kristen Brao is a senior at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School and is attending Yale University in September. She has been a member of the soccer, basketball, and track and field teams through high school She was captain of the soccer and track teams in her senior year. She also served as class treasurer, treasurer of her school's chapter of the National Honor Society and captain of the math team. She intends to study molecular, cellular and developmental biology at Yale.

Kyle Grandin

Round Rock, Texas

Kyle is a senior at Stony Point High School in Round Rock, Texas, and is the grandson of Naval Aviator George H. Hitchcock. A four year letterman on the varsity tennis team and two-time district champion. He was also president of the National Honor Society, a National Merit Commended Scholar and an Eagle Scout. He is Salutatorian of his class and will be attending Villanova University next fall where he will be majoring in business, participating in the honors program, and continuing tennis as a member of the Wildcat tennis team.

This scholarship is awarded in the memory of LCDR “Chic” Tucker, S.C., USNR. Chic held two master's degrees in physical education and worked as a civilian for the Navy's Morale, Welfare and Recreation division as director at Indian Head, Md.; King's Bay, Ga.; Stockton, Calif.; and Yorktown, Va. He was commissioned an ensign in the Supply Corps Reserves by his brother, CAPT Gene Tucker, in 1982 and spent his career attached to the Navy Cargo Handling Battalion based at Cheatham Annex, Va. Although he enjoyed being a “Combat Stevedore,” he took advantage of the opportunity to earn his S.C. wings as an aviation warfare specialist during training aboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43) in 1984. He was proud of his several lengthy periods of active duty, and especially of his participation in Operation Desert Storm. While deployed he was awarded the Navy Commendation and Navy Achievement Medals for exceptional leadership and technical expertise during critical wartime cargo handling operations. He was training officer of the Cargo Handling Battalion when he died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in April 1993.

Linda Rackauskas

Washington, D.C.

Linda will be a senior social work major at Catholic University in Washington, DC. She intends to go to graduate school and work with children and families.