VFW AUXILIARY ANNOUNCES 2019 CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Four $1,000 scholarships awarded, one in each of the Auxiliary Conferences
Kansas City, Mo., May 16, 2019 – The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) Auxiliary is pleased to announce the winners of its annual Continuing Education Scholarship contest. Four $1,000 scholarships were awarded, one in each of the Auxiliary Conferences.
Amber Kops was named the winner of the Big Ten Conference. Kops, a Life Member of Auxiliary 9656 in Lambertville, Michigan, has been accepted to Monroe County Community College where she plans to study cybersecurity and information assurance.
She said the VFW Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship will help her complete her program. Living on a fixed income, every scholarship amount is a blessing.
“I am working at my own second chance in life after plan A of a degree and career in social work did not work out for me,” she said. “I found it difficult to sustain myself financially. I know that this (new) course of education and the application of my knowledge can make a difference in not just my community, but nationally or even globally. I have always felt a calling to help others.”
Kelly Weaver was named the winner of the Eastern Conference. Weaver, an Annual member of Auxiliary 464 in Oil City, Pennsylvania, is a nursing student at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
Weaver said the VFW Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship will help with tuition debt and offset some of the cost of becoming a registered nurse.
“It has always been a dream of mine to become a nurse,” she said. “This career is where my heart is. I take my title as a nurse very seriously and am looking forward to becoming a more educated and well-rounded RN. As a wife and mother of two young boys, I would like to limit the debt we hold as a household as much as possible.”
Tracey Jones was named the winner of the Southern Conference. Jones, a Life Member of Auxiliary 9808 in Mechanicsville, Virginia, plans to study to become a medical assistant at ECPI University.
Jones said the Auxiliary scholarship will allow her to better achieve career goals, which will lead to the income she needs to support her household as the sole earner in the family.
“I currently work as a CNA at an assisted living facility,” she said. “My husband’s health renders him unable to work. I enjoy working in the medical field and helping patients. I am excited to elevate my skills. The satisfaction of rendering patients comfort and confidence is my goal.”
Alexa Shedden was named the winner of the Western Conference. Shedden, a Life Member of Auxiliary 7756 in Gillette, Wyoming, plans to study K-12 special education at Western Governors University.
Shedden said the Auxiliary scholarship will help cover the remainder of her tuition that is not covered by her federal student aid.
“I currently work two jobs and have managed to successfully earn an associate’s degree without going into a lot of debt,” she said. “A very large part of growing up a military brat is knowing the importance of being goal-oriented. I have been taught to begin with the end in mind. Currently, I work with special needs kids at the high school level and I absolutely love what I do. (This) will allow me to still keep my amazing job working with special education students while being able to go to school.”
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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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 more than 475,000 members representing all 50 states 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 ten providers of volunteer hours in the VA medical system. Every year, members raise 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 nearly 3,900 Auxiliaries, there is likely one in your area working to improve the lives of America’s uncommon heroes. Learn more at www.vfwauxiliary.org.