2009 Scholarship Winners, Page 4

ADM GEORGE E.R. KINNEAR II PERPETUAL SCHOLARSHIP

Sponsored by the Compaq Computer Corporation

Jessica was born at NAS Whidbey Island and soon will graduate from Kingwood High School in the suburbs of Houston, Texas. She has two varsity letters for playing attack on her high school lacrosse team and she has numerous awards for her academics, for orchestra and for her art portfolio. She will attend the University of Mississippi to pursue dual majors in Mandarin Chinese and International Studies as well as a minor in Intelligence and Security Studies. Jessica is the daughter of CDR David Sewell, USNR(Ret), who was an A-6E bombardier/navigator with the VA-52 Knightriders.

CAPT NELLO PIEROZZI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Sponsored by the Tailhook Association, Marcia and Lisa Pierozzi and Friends

LT Nello Pierozzi was a member of the first jet-equipped Blue Angels team in 1955. Fourteen years later, he became commanding officer of USS Rankin (AKA-103).

Jacqueline is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, where she has been a member of National Honor Society and French Honor Society and has maintained a GPA above 4.0. She is also a pre-professional ballerina and has studied with professional ballet companies such as Miami City Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Three Tailhook aviators are in her immediate family: her father William Montgomery, Jr., her maternal grandfather M. Lee Minnis, and her uncle Steven Minnis. She will attend Northwestern University in fall 2009 and plans to pursue a degree in Biology.

LT PAT BUCKLEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Sponsored by the San Diego Tailhook Ready Room

LT Patrick Buckley was the pilot of an RF-8G with VFP-63 Detachment 19, flying from USS Hancock (CVA-19), when returning from a combat photo mission into Southeast Asia on 16 December 1969, his aircraft was stricken. He crashed in the Gulf of Tonkin. LT Buckley was declared Killed/Body Not Recovered and is honored on Panel 15W, Row 61 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Jonathan is the son of a retired captain and E-2B/C NFO. He is the valedictorian at Fredericksburg Christian High School and will enroll in the Engineering School at the University of Virginia. He is president of the International Club, Historian of the National Honor Society, Yearbook Copy Editor, a Student Council Representative, and Social Chairman of the Senior Class. He was selected as a National Merit Commended Scholar, Optimist Club Student of the Month for December 2008, and attended Boys State Virginia 2008.

CAPT RICHARD L. “ZEKE” CORMIER PERPETUAL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Sponsored by the Blue Angels Association

This scholarship is awarded in the name of CAPT Richard L. “Zeke” Cormier, who received his wings in July 1942. In 1944 he became a Hellcat ace in the Pacific with eight kills, four in a single flight. Following the war he had two tours with the Blue Angels and served as Commander, Carrier Air Group 11. After retirement in 1964, he served on the board of the San Diego Aerospace Museum for 28 years. Zeke was honored with Tailhook's Lifetime Achievement award in 2000. CAPT Cormier died in February 2001.

Jonathon is a home school graduate and a National Merit Commended Scholar. He is a junior at Wheaton College in Illinois and is working on a double major in English and international relations. His other interests include theater, studio art and music. He is an accomplished pianist and plays guitar for various church groups.

THE INTRUDER ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP

Sponsored by the Intruder Association

This scholarship is presented by the membership of the Intruder Association to honor those who gave their lives in service to their country while flying the A-6 Intruder. An integral part of Naval Aviation for 32 years, the Intruder flew combat missions in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Grenada, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Kuwait and the Persian Gulf. There were 28 squadrons among the Navy, Marine Corps and Reserve forces that operated the five Intruder models (A-6A, A-6B, A-6C, KA-6D and A-6E). Intruder crews specialized in low-level/all-weather attack missions while taking part in all phases of the attack mission as they evolved during Vietnam and the Cold War. The United States lost 251 aviators in the A-6; this scholarship is to honor their memory and sacrifice.

Karson will be a freshman at the University of South Carolina fall 2009 majoring in chemical engineering. He has traveled widely to countries that include: Australia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Mexico and Portugal. His awards include National Scholar Finalist from the National Society of High School Scholars, Maryland Distinguished Scholar and Advanced Placement Scholar. While at Richard Montgomery High School, he participated in fencing, martial arts and was a teaching assistant and tutor for students in math and chemistry. Karson is the son of LCDR Karin Leperi, USNR(Ret), who was the first female flight engineer in the Naval Reserves to qualify on the VC-131H.

JOHN E. PORTER PERPETUAL SCHOLARSHIP No. 1

Sponsored by AVCM John E. Porter, USN(Ret)

Master Chief Porter joined the Navy at the age of 17 in 1943. He served with numerous ships and units for 22 years in the Avionics Technician rating, supporting F4Fs to A3Ds. He retired as a Master Chief in 1964 and became a realtor, broker-owner of his own business, and later president of the Glendale Arizona Board of Realtors. A tireless supporter and a Tailhooker since 1991, he retired again in 1998. Throughout both his distinguished careers, Master Chief Porter acquired all the education available, knowing it was the key to success. John and his wife support two perpetual scholarships. This scholarship honors his strong belief in the value of education.

Nick is a 2009 honors graduate of Brentsville District High School. He was designated a National Merit Scholarship finalist. In addition to his course work in the Cambridge Program, he has participated in football and track, Academic Bowl, and National Honor Society. He was a founding staff member of the student newspaper, and served as its editor-in-chief his senior year. Outside school, he has been active as an altar server at his church, and has tutored younger students from neighboring schools. He is looking forward to the University of Notre Dame.

LT NICK BENSON PERPETUAL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Sponsored by CAPT Eric and Barb Benson and Friends of LT Stephen Nicklous “Nick” Benson

This scholarship is awarded in memory of LT Nick Benson, USNR, who was killed 18 October 2002 when his F/A-18F Super Hornet was involved in a midair collision off the California coast. Nick was from Virginia Beach, Va. and graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1998. After commissioning through AOCS, he earned his NFO wings and joined VF-41 flying F-14s. He participated in Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan before transitioning to the Super Hornet. Nick was a special young man who made a difference and is greatly missed.

Marcos is a senior at Shadow Ridge High School, where he will graduate with high honors in the top 10 percent of his class. Over the last four years, he participated in many activities including Varsity Quiz, Chess Club, and as a member of the football and wrestling teams. He will attend the Honors Program at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he will major in Neuroscience. He is the son of LCDR Marcos A. Jasso, who is a Naval Aviator currently deployed with VFA-154 Black Knights in USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), and who proudly served with LT Nick Benson in VF/VFA-41.