Local students win KSC scholarships

Published May 16, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Kimberly Rae Moore
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Keesler Spouses Club awarded 11 scholarships May 8 at Keesler's Bay Breeze Event Center.

Recipients of the scholarships were chosen by a panel of judges from local colleges and universities.

Winners of $2,000 scholarships are:

Benjamin Hurtado, a senior at Biloxi High School, is the son of Veronica and Master Sgt. Carlos Hurtado, 81st Training Support Squadron. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Mu Alpha Theta. He is captain of his high school's baseball team, a football player and volunteers with Special Olympics, Biloxi Coastal Cleanup and the American Red Cross. He plans to attend Mississippi State University and major in aerospace engineering, earn an Air Force commission and continue playing baseball. He also received the $1,000 First Command Scholarship.

Angela Klipp, a senior at Ocean Springs High School, is the daughter of Master Sgt. Catherine Klipp, 403rd Wing, and retired Master Sgt. Ronnie Klipp. She volunteers as a candy striper and goes on missionary trips to Mexico. She participates in the Cotillion Sorority, Arms Open and the Ambassador Mentor Leadership program along with her school's track, cheer, dance and gymnastics teams. She plans to major in nursing at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and hopes to become a neonatal nurse practitioner.

Rebecca Croker is the daughter of retired Chief Warrant Officer Robert and Bonnie Croker. She is a senior at Vancleave High School and a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Catholic Youth Organization. Rebecca plans to attend William Carey University and double major in music education and biology with a goal of becoming either a pediatric surgeon or a band director.

Sarah Pace is the daughter of Valerie and David Pace, 81st Medical Support Squadron. She is a senior at Ocean Springs High School and a member of the Seal Club, National Honor Society, the Honor Choir and Mu Alpha Theta. She has worked with canine rescue and volunteers as a candy striper. Sarah plans to attend the University of South Alabama with a major in pre-med and a goal of improving quality of life for cancer patients and curing leukemia.

Paige Lyons, daughter of Wayne and Lisa Lyons, 81st Force Support Squadron, is a senior at St. Patrick High School. She plays softball and is member of the student council, Interact Club, National Honor Society, Key Club and Mu Alpha Theta. She plans to attend University of Southern Mississippi and major in nutrition, dietetics and child nutrition.

Winners of $1,000 scholarships are:

Danielle Maxon is married to Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Maxon and is enrolled in Washburn University where she has played and coached the softball team and worked as an aquatics safety instructor. She volunteers with her church and at a special needs camp. She is majoring in physical therapy and is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. In addition to the $1,000 KSC scholarship, Maxon was also awarded a $1,000 Mary Martin Scholarship.

Kiante Evers, son of Army Sgt. 1st Class Carlos and Carla Evers, Camp Shelby, is a senior at Gulfport High School and a member of the National Honor Society, the Quota Club and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Band. He has participated in his school's robotics team and is working on his first novel. Kiante plans to major in mechanical engineering at the University of South Alabama and hopes to organize engineering programs in high-poverty schools after earning his degree.

Elia Busey, daughter of Enrica and Jeff Busey, is a senior at Ocean Springs High School. Her mother is an Army and Air Force Exchange Student employee. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society and the Ambassador Mentor Program. She plans to major in kinesiology at Louisiana State University and to attend medical school to work as a team doctor for a professional sports team.

Elizabeth McNeer, daughter of George and Sara McNeer, is a senior at Biloxi High School. Her father works in the 85th Engineering Installation Squadron. Sara is active in her church, the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership program, the National Honor Society and her school's Math and Science Society. She also plays the violin with her school's bands and the Mary C. O'Keefe Youth Symphony. Elizabeth plans to attend Mississippi State University and major in biomedical science in preparation for medical school.

Isaiah Hurtado, son of Veronica and Master Sgt. Carlos Hurtado, is a senior at Biloxi High School. His father is assigned to the 81st Training Support Squadron. He is a member of the National Honor Society, National Business Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He plays football and golf and volunteered for the Special Olympics, the American Red Cross Angel Tree and the Gulf Coast Beach Beautification Project. Isaiah plans to attend Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and major in business administration.

Rebecca Berry is married to Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Berry, 335th Training Squadron. She volunteers for the Veterans Olympics and with her church and has spent time in India providing food and support to families in poverty-stricken areas. She's the mother of two and a student at Tulane University where she is pursuing a master's degree in public health with a goal of addressing worldwide inequities in nutrition and basic health care.

The Keesler Thrift Shop is the main source for the scholarships and is run by KSC volunteers. Sales generate funds that support the college scholarships and contributions to other charitable organizations benefiting Keesler and the local community.

The Keesler Spouses Club is open to Keesler spouses of any Armed Forces service member, including active duty, guard, reserves, civil service or key civilian personnel working at Keesler, both women and men of any rank.

For more information on the Keesler Spouses Club or the scholarships, go to http://www.keeslerspousesclub.com

Local high school students win KSC scholarships