Chief's Group presents scholarships to high school youth

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joe McFadden
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs Office
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The Hurlburt Field Chief's Group presented $500 college scholarships to six high school graduates and seniors during the group's meeting at the Hurlburt Field Soundside Club July 1.

The group gave the grants to the children of active-duty or retired enlisted Airmen and has held similar scholarship drives for more than a decade.

"This is the best day of the year for the Chiefs Group in my eyes, because we get to give back to some up-and-coming young people who come from enlisted family backgrounds," said retired Chief Master Sgt. Peter Christofferson, group member and emcee for the event.

The chiefs delegated the task of selecting the individuals to a three-person committee that reviewed more than 20 packets from high school seniors for excellence in academic achievement and community involvement.

"I'm very pleased to be a part of the Chiefs Group because of this scholarship program," said James Binnicker, the ninth chief master sgt. of the Air Force and CEO of the Air Force Enlisted Village. "When you see the caliber and quality of the young people that we bring in here to present the scholarship, it makes you feel good."

This year's recipients consisted of John Kennedy of Jay High School in Jay, Fla.; Andres Garcia, Roman Chia and Jasmine Jordan of Navarre High School in Navarre, Fla.; Elizabeth Drewry of Central High School in Milton, Fla.; and Destiny Watson of Escambia High School in Pensacola, Fla.

The group raised more than $3,000 for the scholarships during its golf tournament and bowl-a-thon held earlier this year.

"It's one of our most important fundraising purposes because we want to give something back," Chief Binnicker said. "All the fundraising efforts, whether it's the golf tournament or bowl-a-thon, are worthwhile because we know the money is going to the right place."

For Mr. Chia, it was extra help on his way to attend Pensacola Junior College to get a degree in architecture and become a homebuilder.

"I'm very happy to get the scholarship especially from the Air Force and the Chiefs Group," he said. "Thank you all for what you've done for us."