Spouses group awards 8 scholarships Published May 22, 2007 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Scholarships were awarded to seven 2007 high school graduates and a military spouse May 15 by the Keesler Spouses Club at a reception in the Vandenberg Community Center. "Our objective for the scholarship program is to assist as many Keesler-affiliated families as possible in their quest for a higher education," said Tammie Searfass, president, spouse of Capt. Albert Searfass, 333rd Training Squadron. The spouses group gave one $500, one $750 and five $1,000 scholarships from proceeds from its thrift shop and other fundraisers, including an annual art auction. Two of the $1,000 scholarships honor longtime group member Cathy Varble, who's volunteered at the thrift shop and with other base and community organizations for 32 years. Friends and family members of Mrs. Varble, who was Keesler's Outstanding Volunteer of the Year in 2006, donated funds for the scholarships. Another $1,000 scholarship was sponsored by First Command Financial Planning Services, represented by Brian Young and Milt Salter. Winners are: Alyssa Bolstad, Ocean Springs High School, $500 scholarship. She plans to attend Concordia College in Moor-head, Minn., to major in music education and optometry. Her parents are retired Master Sgt. Michael and Janelle Bolstad. Her father is a civilian in the 334th Training Squadron. Jaynie Quave, Ocean Springs High School, $750 scholarship. She'll major in accounting at Mississippi State University. Her parents are retired Master Sgt. Thomas and Terri Schoemann. Her father is a civilian in the 332nd TRS. Ashlee Butanis, $1,000 scholarship. She'll major in fine arts at Pennsylvania State University within the next two years. Her husband is Airman Mark Butanis, 81st Medical Operations Squadron. Casey Miceli, Ocean Springs High School, $1,000 scholarship. She'll be an accounting major at the University of Southern Mississippi. Her parents are Lt. Col. Christopher and Cathy Miceli, 45th Airlift Squadron. Luke Sanders, Biloxi High School, $1,000 scholarship. He'll study international relations at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. His parents are Chief Master Sgt. Errol and Victoria Sanders, 81st Security Forces Squadron. Lauren Moody, Biloxi High School, $1,000 Varble scholarship. She'll major in pre-medicine at USM. Her parents are retired Tech. Sgt. Brian and Therese Moody. Jennifer Seymour, D'Iberville High School, $1,000 Varble scholarship. She plans to pursue a degree in the medical field at the University of South Alabama. Her mother is Bettye Seymour, 2nd Air Force. Rae Quigley, Biloxi High School, $1,000 First Command scholarship. She plans to attend MSU or Millsaps College in Jackson to major in pre-medicine or biological engineering. Her father is retired Navy Cmdr. Keith Quigley. Tiffany Goodwin served as scholarship chair. Her husband is Allen Goodwin, Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 407. Co-chair was Margo Valenzuela, wife of Lt. Col. Paul Valenzuela, 81st Mission Support Squadron commander.