Scholarship Awards
Our largest donation is for awarding scholarships to high school seniors that are continuing their education by going to either college or a trade school after graduating from high school. Each applicant is required to write a 500-word essay on “Why Freedom isn’t Free.” It’s always difficult for the committee to determine the best essays from the many received. If you are interested in submitting a 500-word essay, please click the link below for the form:
Cumming Chapter 1030 of the Vietnam Veterans of America hosted its seventh annual scholarship award program and awarded $2,500 scholarships to six Forsyth County High School graduates.
Each recipient was presented a folder containing a certificate naming the scholarship in memory of a Georgian killed in action in the Vietnam War. The folder also includes a photo of the individual who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The 2022 winners are:
Samantha Mehler, North Forsyth HS, whose scholarship was awarded in the name of USAF Capt. James Hoag of East Point, Ga. Ms. Mehler will study to be a physician assistant at he State University of New York at Morrisville.
Allison Norris, Forsyth Central HS, whose scholarship honors the memory of US Army Specialist 4th Class Russell Jones of Woodstock, Ga. Ms. Norris will be attending Wake Forest University to study Pre-Law.
Evan Skrip, North Forsyth HS, awarded a scholarship to honor the service and sacrifice of US Army 2nd Lt. William Cawthorne of Marietta, Ga. Mr. Skrip is heading to Kennesaw State University to study Music Education.
Cassidee Jackson, North Forsyth HS, was awarded a scholarship in memory of US Army lst LT. Merrill Dale Reich, Atlanta, GA. Ms. Jackson will attend the University of Pennsylvania for International Studies and Business.
Dakota Jacks, Forsyth County HS, whose scholarship honors the memory and sacrifice of US Army PFC Jimmie Lee Plumley of Ellijay, Ga. Dakota heads to the University of North Florida where he will study Coastal and Marine Biology.
Liam Cassidy, Lambert HS, who was given a scholarship in memory of the service and sacrifice of US Marine Corps Cpl. Troy David Payne of Smyrna, GA. Mr. Cassidy will attend Clemson University to study Computer Science.
The scholarship committee was able to locate the families of Corporal Payne and PFC Plumley who attended the June 7th ceremony.
Chapter 1030 President Gary Goyette said he could not be more pleased with the scholastic achievements of the students selected this year. "It is our hope that through this program we can, in a small way, keep alive in the minds of these your adults the memory of the fallen who sacrificed so much, he added."
Editors: pictured in the attached photo (L-R) front row: Evan Skrip, Samantha Mehler, Allison Norris, Liam Cassidy, and Cassidee Jackson. Not pictured is Dakota Jacks. Back Row: Scholarship Committee members Tom Senior, Hank Hankerson and Ed Shoemaker. Not pictured Jim Cole, Steve Masak and Marty Farrell.