AFA’s 2021 Scholarship Recipients Announced

 

(Arlington, Va.) – The Air Force Association (AFA) announced today the 2021 recipients of its Col Aaron Burgstein Memorial Scholarship, Capt Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship, Mike and Gail Donley Spouse Scholarships, Lt Col Romeo and Bass Ferretti Scholarship, Col Loren J. and Mrs. Lawona R. Spencer Scholarship, John C. and Blanche Lee Lindsay Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Memorial Scholarship, Delta Dental Grants, Trident University Full Scholarship, Pentagon Federal Credit Union Pilot Training Scholarships, Destin Flight Works Pilot Training Scholarship, Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Scholarship, and Lt Gen George and Vicki Muellner Foundation Scholarship.

Through these AFA scholarships, caring organizations and individuals help students pursue their dreams of higher education with generous grants. These programs exemplify the lifelong bond of Airmen and the commitment of our supporting community. AFA is proud to present this year’s scholarship recipients and highlight all of their contributions toward furthering the AFA and Department of the Air Force missions.

 

Col Aaron Burgstein Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship program was established to aid minor dependents of (officer or enlisted) Active Duty, veteran, or retired service members; Reservists; or National Guard members of all branches, pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university.

Olivia Tullis

•       Father is retired Air Force E-7

•       Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Leadership at Missouri State University

 

Capt Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship provides $2,000 in financial assistance and recognition to an Active Duty, full-time Guard, or Reserve (officer or enlisted) Airman pursuing a master’s degree in a non-technical field.

Justin Vaughns

•       Air Force Reserve E-4, AFRC

•       Pursuing a Master’s in Project Management at the University of Southern California

Joshua Skinner

•       Air National Guard E-6

•       Pursuing an MBA at the University of West Florida

Amanda Gilbert

•       Active Duty E-7, AETC

•       Pursuing a Master’s in Organizational Psychology at William James College

 

Mike and Gail Donley Spouse Scholarships

This program awards $2,500 scholarships annually to encourage Air Force spouses worldwide to pursue higher education.

Parisa Loftis Hamm

•       Spouse is Active Duty O-3, AFMC

•       Pursuing a Master’s in Education Policy and Analysis at Harvard Graduate School of Education

Leah Johnson

•       Spouse is Active Duty O-4, ACC

•       Pursuing a Master’s in Mental Health and Wellness at Grand Canyon University

Jennifer Radford

•       Spouse is Active Duty E-7, AMC

•       Pursuing a BS in Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College

Alexandria Dutt

•       Spouse is Active Duty O-2, AFMC

•       Pursuing a Master’s in Social Work at Boston University

 

Lt Col Romeo and Bass Ferretti Scholarship

This scholarship awards $5,000 to minor dependents of Air Force Active Duty, Reserve, or Air National Guard enlisted Airmen pursuing an undergraduate STEM degree.

Amanda Brannon

•       Father is retired AF E-9

•       Pursuing a BS in Biological Engineering at the University of Florida

 

Col Loren J. and Mrs. Lawona R. Spencer Scholarship

This scholarship provides $5,000 for Air Force personnel (officer or enlisted, Air Force civilian, full-time National Guard and full-time Reserve) to pursue graduate level education in management and administration fields in preparation for senior level leadership roles.

Armando Kraynick

•       Active Duty O-3, AFMC

•       Pursuing an MBA at Oklahoma State University

Daniel Anderson

•       Active Duty E-9, AETC

•       Pursuing an MBA in Organizational Leadership at Norwich University

Jennifer Puvogel

•       Active Duty O-3, AFMC

•       Pursuing an MBA at Purdue University

 

John C. and Blanche Lee Lindsay Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship provides one $2,500 scholarship will be awarded annually to a child of members of the United States Air Force who are pursuing a college degree.

Amanda Brannon

•       Father is retired Air Force E-9

•       Pursuing a BS in Biological Engineering at the University of Florida

 

Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Memorial Scholarship

This $20,000 scholarship is awarded to daughters of U.S. Air Force members pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.

Abigale Lamontagne

•       Father is currently serving Air National Guard, E-9

•       Pursuing a BS in Biomedical Engineering at Northeastern University

 

Delta Dental Grants

Funded by a grant from Delta Dental, this program provides scholarships and grants to military spouses, military dependents, and transitioning service members for the advancement of oral health and wellness.

Amanda Maldonado

•       Air Force spouse

•       Pursuing a DDS at Indiana University School of Dentistry

Andrew Glover

•       Transitioning servicemember, Air Force

•       Pursuing a Certificate in Periodontics at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

Katherine Sauer

•       Military dependent

•       Pursuing a BS in Nursing at Valparaiso University

Morgan Portis

•       Air Force dependent

•       Pursuing a BS in Nursing at the University of Alabama

Deneishia Haralson

•       Air Force dependent

•       Pursuing a BA in Exercise Science at the University of Virginia

 

Trident University Full Scholarship

Trident University offers three full-ride scholarships to current AFA members. The scholarship can be applied towards bachelor’s and master’s programs at Trident University and is available to both current and prospective students.

Daphne Navarro-Sjursen

•       Pursuing a Master’s in Information Technology Management

Keith Salzman

•       Pursuing a Master’s in Leadership

Jamie Pena

•       Pursuing a BS in Computer Science

 

Pentagon Federal Credit Union Pilot Training Scholarships

Sponsored by Pentagon Federal Credit Union, this scholarship is available to AFA members to pursue pilot training toward a private pilot’s license. The award will be for a maximum of $10,000 and applicable to aircraft rental and instructor fees at a training facility of the recipient’s choice.

Shantae Moffett

•       Flight Evaluator with the Air Force

•       MS in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

•       Will train in Riverside, CA

Adam Neely

•       Civil Air Patrol Instructor

•       Former Air Force Military Training Instructor

•       Will train in Altus, OK

Gabrielle Williams

•       Deputy Commander for Cadets for Duluth CAP; ALO with 148th Fighter Wing

•       Pursuing a BS in Accounting at Park University

•       Will train in Duluth, MN

 

Destin Flight Works Pilot Training Scholarship

Funded by Vertol, this program offers one AFA member per year a scholarship to attend pilot training courses leading to a private pilot’s license at the Destin Flight Works school located in Destin, Florida. The amount will be limited to $10,000 towards instructor training and aircraft rental.

Audrey Banfill

•       Smokejumper with Missoula Smokejumpers

•       BS in Environmental Science from Colorado College

 

Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Scholarship

Provides $1,000 to current and former members of the Air and Space Forces, Air National Guard, and Reserve, and their spouses or children to pursue a college degree or flight training.

Amber Ide

•       Father is retired Air Force O-5

•       Pursuing a BS in Biological Sciences at the University of California, Davis

 

Lt Gen George and Vicki Muellner Foundation Scholarship

This program assists cadets who are members of either the Arnold Air Society or Silver Wings. Two $5,000 scholarships are awarded annually.

Ryan Casa

•       Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Kylie Loman

•       Pursuing a double major in Psychology in Criminology and French at the University of Utah

 

Learn more about AFA awards at https://www.afa.org/education/scholarships.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support our Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect our enduring Heritage.