Meet Our 2012 Scholarship Winners

Brief statements from 21 of our 2012 Scholarship Winners.

Taylor Brown

Receiving the Colonel Charles L. Schmidt Leadership award from such a prestigious group as the 11th Armored Calvary Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia means more than one could ever imagine.  From the way my father speaks about the men he fought beside in the war, I have the highest regard and level of respect for each and every member of the group.  I am extremely privileged to be able to receive the very generous gift of $6000 toward furthering my education as I pursue my interest in business at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.  I feel as though this award is more than financial relief in the stressful process of paying for college; it is much more than that.  This award gives me the opportunity to work relentlessly in my studies and always carry myself in an honorable manner while doing so, as I am now a representation of the 11th Armored Calvary Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia.  I am so honored to receive this highly distinguished scholarship.  My family and I highly thank the 11th Armored Calvary Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia for their bountiful generosity and admirable service to our country.

Taylor Brown, daughter of Ronald Brown, E Troop 2/11, 1969-1970

Recipient of the 2012 Colonel Charles L. Schmidt Leadership Award

Cekeithia A. Barnes

I would like to thank the 11th armored Cavalry Veteran's of Vietnam and Cambodia for the scholarship.  This scholarship will make a difference in my education financially and is truly a blessing.  This scholarship will allow me the opportunity concentrate more on my studies.  Again my sincere thanks.

Cekeithia A. Barnes, daughter of Charles Barnes, E Troop 2/11, 1967-1968 

This scholarship awarded in honor of William F. Johnson, A Troop 1/11, KIA January 5, 1967

Elena Brown

After a bit of squealing and spontaneous dancing to say I was thrilled to learn of my selection of the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia scholarship is an understatement. This award isn't taken lightly, your willingness to maintain strong ties to the troopers and their children is an inspiration, and I feel a responsibility to uphold the expectations that accompany such a privilege. You have lightened my financial burden that allows me to focus more on learning, which is most important aspect of school. For this honor I am deeply appreciative of your support in acknowledging my hard work and perseverance in my educational career. With a skip in my step and a smile on my face I say, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Elena Brown, daughter of Edward Brown Jr., A Troop 1/11, 1967-1968

This scholarship awarded in honor of Jeffery Arnold Harvey, Air Cavalry Troop, KIA April 27, 1969

Charles Scott Childers

I want to thank you very much for the scholarship.  It will certainly make my education budget much easier to manage. 

I will be working to attain degrees in both Criminal Justice and Psychology.  I am a full time student as well as the supervisor of housekeeping and laundry for a Nursing Home.  I am also a full time husband and father of two.  I am in the Army Reserves as well.

I would like to share with you that the Childers family has a long history in the US military, fighting in every war from the founding of our nation to the present.  I am very proud of my father, Charles, who fought in Vietnam and my Grandfather, Herston, who along with four of his brothers fought in WW II. 

I am so much honored to be supported by those who gave so very much.  I will do my best to make you proud.

Charles Scott Childers is the son of Charles Childers, A troop 1/11, 1967-1968

This scholarship awarded I honor of Kenneth Francis Ybarra, B Troop 1/11, KIA January 7, 1968

Joanne Curran

This scholarship means so much to me.  When I saw what it was I took it straight to my dad, and he almost started crying.  The replica of the Black Wall visited our town and we found the Gene Lawrence Kuvik’s name on it and my mom took a picture to remember everything.  This scholarship means that I can further my education and become a veterinary.  I thanks you so much and thank you all who served our great country.

Joanne Curran, daughter of Jack Curran, E Troop 2/11, 1969-1970 

This scholarship awarded in honor of Gene Lawrence Kuvik, B Troop 1/11, KIA January 29, 1968

Amanda David

I would like to thank the 11th ACVVC not only for the scholarship, but for your dedicated service to this country. You are all selfless individuals who continue to do great things. Because of my father's service and his continuing involvement with your organization, I was able to apply for and receive these funds and continue my dream of returning to school in my 30's to change careers. This scholarship only adds to my desire to perform well and make everyone proud. I look forward to saying that the 11th ACVVC helped make my dream possible when I graduate.

Thanks!

Amanda David, daughter of Dennis Kelly, K Troop 3/11, 1966-1967

This scholarship awarded in honor of Mitchell Lynn Kemp, C Troop, KIA October 8, 1967

Amy L. Dittmer

Amy L. Dittmer is the daughter of

This scholarship awarded in honor of Ralph Robert Ramirez, D Company 1/11, KIA May 15, 1969

Rodrick Foster

I would just like to say how much I thank your organization for this scholarship.  This scholarship means a lot to me in my endeavor to finish my schooling, due to the recent news I received from my school.  The college had informed me, that my credit hours were above a certain amount and that I may not receive any more financial aid.  My wife and I were discussing what we were going to do about this situation and that very night I received the exciting news of the scholarship via email.  I greatly appreciate this scholarship as it will allow me to finish my degree on schedule.  So in closing I would just like to say thank you to this wonderful organization for what it has done and what it is continuing to do today.  God Bless you all. 

Rodrick Foster is the son of Randy Foster, I Troop 3/11, 1968-1969

This scholarship awarded in honor of Herbert James Gabriel, E Troop 2/11, KIA December 29, 1966

Rosemary Hunt

I would like to begin by saying how honored I am for being chosen as a recipient of 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia scholarship.  This scholarship means the world to me.  It will allow me to continue my education at North Dakota State University.  I would also like to thank my father Charles “Lucky” Hunt and all the other brave men and women who have fought for our country and our freedom.  I view this scholarship as a great privilege and will strive for excellence in my continued course work.

Rosemary Hunt is the daughter of Charles Hunt, K Troop 3/11, 1968-1970. 

This scholarship awarded in honor of Joseph David Esparza, F Troop 2/11, KIA May 28, 1971

Lindsey Kirkpatrick

I would like to humbly thank the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam & Cambodia for selecting me as a recipient of this scholarship.  This scholarship will do more than just help me as a Business major at the University of Kentucky.  It has always been a dream of mine to study abroad and with this scholarship I can now help make that dream a reality.  I could not be more thankful for this support and I feel honored to represent myself and my father on behalf of all veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia.

Thank you again!

Lindsey Kirkpatrick is the daughter of Michael Kirkpatrick, Air Cav Troop, 1971 

This scholarship awarded in honor of Mickey Daniel Lang, F Troop 2/11, KIA May 19, 1971

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Mara D. Klecker

Mara D. Klecker is the daughter of Daniel J. Klecker, A Troop 1/11, 1969-1970

This scholarship awarded in honor of Frank Dale Hammond, G Troop 2/11, KIA January 23, 1970

Joseph M. Lakner

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for making the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia Scholarship possible.  I was thrilled to learn of my selection for this honor and I am deeply appreciative for the support.  I am currently majoring in Civil Engineering at Florida Atlantic University with hopes of becoming a Civil and Environmental Engineer.  The financial assistance provided will be of great help to me in paying my educational expenses, and it will allow me to concentrate more of my time for studying.  Thank you again for your generosity and support.  I promise you I will work very hard to insure the memory of Noland D. Byrd is honored by my scholastic achievements.  In the future I would like to give back to others through engineering and other good deeds and possibly a scholarship to future students like myself.

Joseph M. Lakner is the son of Michael Lakner, Howitzer Battery 3/11, 1969-1970

This scholarship awarded in honor of Nolan Daryl Byrd, HHT, 2/11, KIA December 3, 1968

 

James Marshall

A goal can be interpreted as a dream with a deadline.  During my first year at the University of Central Florida I was gradually molded in to the man I wanted to become.  However, this did not come easy.  Throughout the course of the year I learned to be humble, have high ambitions, and most importantly realizing how much was being invested in my future.  With the gracious help from the 11th Armored Calvary Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia Scholarship I will be able to pursue my goal with less anxiety about funds and more attentiveness to my grades.  Furthermore, this scholarship means more to me than just the money aspects; I see it as a way to give back to my father who risked his life for the very freedoms I have today.  This award to me is not only an honor, but also gives me motivation to have perseverance through the next three years.  Finally, after graduating I plan to enlist in the Navy and further my medial education ¾ to serve and give back to the copious opportunities this country has given to me.  A simple thank you would not be enough, that’s why I feel it important to say that this award will be help in high regards in my mind throughout the years to come.

James Marshall is the son of William Marshall, C Troop 1/11, 1969-1970 

This scholarship awarded in honor of Edwin Francis Turk, HHT, 3/11, KIA June 18, 1969

Bryan McClendon

It's an honor to receive a scholarship award from the 11th ACVVC.  Being awarded this means a great deal to me, in ways that only a Vietnam Veteran son can hope to receive from such an honored Calvary unit from the United States Army.  The scholarship will help me further my education in hopes for a new career path in Criminal Justice, and in turn this new path may allow me to help others in their journeys through the road of life and choices they face.  Thanks again 11th ACVVC for this award it means a great deal to me.     

Bryan McClendon is the son of Steve McClendon, K Troop 3/11, 1970-1971 

This scholarship awarded in honor of John Lee Smith, A Troop 1/11, KIA April 1, 1970

Twila Misenheimer

Thank you so much!  I truly appreciate being selected for this scholarship.  It will help tremendously in my pursuit for a degree in elementary education.  

Twila Misenheimer is the daughter of Edward King, 398th Transportation Detachment., 1970-1972 

This scholarship awarded in honor of Ponder Ray Sims, K Troop, KIA July 21, 1967

Monet Rodriguez

I am truly honored to have received this gift from the Veterans, I am so thankful to my father Juan Pablo Rodriguez and all of the other Veterans who have not only given their service to our country but sacrificed so much for our freedom.  I will use this gift to continue my education in a Masters in Counseling program to peruse my dream of helping others and improving the world we live in. 

Monet Rodriguez is the daughter of Juan Rodriguez, HHT, 2/11, 1971-1972 

This scholarship awarded in honor of Victor Manuel Guerrero, L Troop 3/11, KIA November 15, 1969

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Toni M. Triano

Toni M. Triano is the daughter of Francis Triano, E Troop 2/11, 1969

This scholarship awarded in honor of Samuel Joseph Jorgenson, M Company 3/11, KIA February 14, 1970

Arsen Tufankjian

Paying for school just got a whole lot easier.  This time last year I was seriously worried that I would not be able to afford higher education.  The idea that I may not be able to pursue my dream of developing video games was not one I wanted floating around in my head, but thanks to the 11th Cavalry, I don’t have to worry anymore.  I’ve gotten enough assistance to the point where I can focus on school, and not on paying off a massive pile of debt.  This scholarship isn’t just a pile of cash to help me pay for school, it’s peace of mind so that I can follow my dreams, and that means so much to me. 

Arsen Tufankjian is the son of Haig Tufankjian, Air Cavalry Troop, 1968-1969 

This scholarship awarded in honor of Adrian Alan Akins, 919th Engineer Company, KIA October 25, 1969

Mike Victor

Thank you for awarding me the 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia Scholarship Award.  I will start school at Roger Williams University, seeking a degree in Architecture, with the hopes of going on to entering graduate school and eventually entering the workforce as a certified Architect.  This award will go a long way in paying for my building materials and tools which are especially extensive the first year.  I would like to thank the association for awarding me this scholarship as I am both in awe and humbled by its resources and their generosity.  This scholarship is dedicated towards Hugo C. Castaneda who was killed in action on July 9th 1968 while serving as a trooper in C Troop.  I would like to honor his sacrifice by working hard and performing beyond expectations.

Mike Victor is the son of James Victor, L Troop 3/11, 1969-1970 

This scholarship awarded in honor of Hugo Carlos Castaneda, C Troop 1/11, KIA July 9, 1968

Amos Michael Webb

Thank you for choosing me as a recipient of the 11th ACVVC scholarship!  I am honored to receive this scholarship in memory of Mr. Robert R. Lewis.  Taking economic conditions into account, the fiscal generosity of this organization is very admirable.  This gift will be of great financial assistance to my family and me.  In putting this money towards schooling, I hope to contribute its worth back into society through a career in the medical field. 

Amos Michael Webb is the son of Amos Martin Webb, G Troop 2/11, 1970-1971

This scholarship awarded in honor of Robert Raymond Lewis, G Troop 2/11, KIA April 25, 1970

Angelyn Wiese

Thanks so much to The 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia for selecting me to be one of the recipients of their scholarship.  I feel incredibly privileged.  This scholarship means the world to me, because thanks to their aid I will be able to attend college as an Undergraduate with significantly less financial stress.  I very much look forward to attending college at Valencia Community College where I will first get my Associates and begin my journey towards becoming a Registered Nurse.  I will work my hardest and always strive to succeed in hopes of bringing only honor to both my family and The 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia.

Angelyn Wiese is the daughter of Frederick Wiese, 919th Engineer Company, 1970-1971 

This scholarship awarded in honor of Donald William Noel, HHT, 1/11, KIA April 26, 1969