HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society is committed to providing a path towards education. This year the Society is proud to offer $6,000 in scholarships to deserving Arizona high school students participating in the Veterans Heritage Project and those who volunteer to work side by side with veterans at Veterans Administration facilities in Arizona. Each is being recognized for their academic scholarship, patriotism and service to their country and community. Funding is provided by contributions from the AVHOF Society’s Century Club Members and by the 2017 Sponsors of the Patriotic Gala.

Gianna Joseph is a senior at Ironwood Ridge High School, and has been in the Veterans Heritage Project for four years. She has written four stories and served as vice president and president during her junior and senior years. Additionally, Gianna is involved in the National Honor Society on campus, as well as the Ironwood Ridge High School Site Council. Outside of school, she works a restaurant job and pursues her passion for the medical field by volunteering at local hospitals and interning at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. Her favorite extracurricular activity is hiking in the beautiful mountains surrounding Tucson. After graduation, Gianna will be attending the University of Arizona as a Neuroscience major and hopes to continue to serve veterans in her college career and beyond.

James Lednicky was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. From a young age, he knew he wanted to serve in the military. He is currently a senior at Shadow Mountain High School. He has been active in AFJROTC and was the group commander of unit AZ-911 for the 2017-2018 school year. James has participated in the Veterans Heritage Project since the eighth grade and has written and contributed the stories of twelve veterans that appear in the book, “Since You Asked”. He enjoys exploring Arizona and is an avid hunter, fisherman, and hiker. After high school, James will be in the civil engineering program and the Naval ROTC at Arizona State University.

Elisa (Ellie) Clark attends Boulder Creek High School in Anthem, Arizona. She plans to study nursing at the University of Arizona next year. Ellie joined the Veterans Heritage Project to learn more about the veterans that she encounters in her everyday life. In just two years she has interviewed nine veterans and she says that every story written has impacted her life and has shown her those individuals who are protecting her freedom. During her time in VHP, she has helped her chapter make a very significant impact on her community. She is extremely thankful to the Veterans Heritage Project for everything it has taught her, and for allowing her to learn valuable history first-hand. For that, she has said she will be forever grateful.

VETERAN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society proudly supports veterans who are transitioning from military service and preparing for new and challenging careers. Our Arizona Student Veteran Higher Learning Scholarships are provided to selected, honorably discharged veterans who are attending an institution of higher learning in the state of Arizona. The institution must also be eligible to receive GI Bill funds through the Department of Veteran Affairs. This year, our close partner, the Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV) is proud to offer $2000 in scholarships to that deserving veteran who is recognized for his academic scholarship, patriotism and service to their country and community. Funding is provided by contributions from the AVHOF Society’s Century Club Members, by the UAV and by the generosity of the Sponsors of the 2017 Patriotic Gala.

Morgan Lynch enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as an active duty Field Radio Operator in 2007. She deployed with MWSS-371 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Certificate of Commendation for establishing and maintaining all communication at the Forward Operating Base Dwyer. Morgan is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice at Arizona State University. She is currently working at the Pat Tillman Veterans Center helping veterans further their education. After graduation, she plans on attending law school to become an attorney with a focus in family law and veteran services. Morgan and her husband Sean, who also served in the Marine Corps, reside in Phoenix with their two lovely children, Audrey and Coleman.

Daniel Rowden served as a medic in the Army for seven years having been stationed in Hawaii (2008-2009, 2010-2011), Iraq (08/2009 – 08/2010), and Germany (2011 – 2015). Upon returning to Arizona, he secured an internship at Congressman Gallego’s office while pursuing a BS in Public Service and Public Policy. Later, recalling his military experiences and the rewards of medical service, Daniel decided to pursue the Physician Assistant (PA) Program. He intends to serve his veteran brothers-and-sisters-in-arms across rural Arizona. He feels his PA degree and his understanding of public policy will enable him to provide services and meaningful counsel to his military brethren. He currently serves veterans at the ASU Pat Tillman’s Veteran Center and as a Commissioner on the City of Phoenix’s Military Veterans Commission. He has been married to his wife, Christina, for seven years. Together they have a son, Jack, and a daughter, Eva.

Joanie Sturgeon served as a U. S. Navy Security Force Sentry from 2011 until 2017. Joanie was deployed on the USS Bunker Hill and at sea for over two years working in the ship’s Air and Surface Warfare weapons system division. She continues to serve her nation as a member of the Naval Reserve. Joanie is enrolled as a dual major in ASU’s Biochemistry and Microbiology degree programs. Upon receiving these two degrees, she plans on attending medical school and then rejoin the Navy as a physician. In the future, Joannie would like to take part in research efforts to broaden our understanding of how our bodies work to fight off illnesses and perhaps one day work for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Joanie and her daughter, Emilia, live in Mesa.

Derek Pomeroy served as a United States Navy Hospital Corpsman from July 2012 until July 2017. An Enduring Freedom veteran, he deployed to Bahrain with the 3rd Marine Regiment during 2014. Derek is enrolled in ASU’s School of Sustainability, seeking a BS. As a youth growing up in Virginia, Derek witnessed firsthand the negative impact our nation’s industries have on the environment. Derek’s vision for his future is improving how we produce energy, which will provide more affordable energy to more people, while limiting the impact on our natural resources. His expected graduation date is the Spring of 2020. He will use his scholarship money to help pay for summer courses, hastening his graduation date. Derek and his wife, Marissa, live in Chandler.

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