US Coast Guard Foundation announces 128 scholarships awarded for 2019

Coast Guard Foundation announces 128 scholarships awarded for 2019-2020 © U.S. Coast Guard

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and wellness of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that it awarded 128 scholarships in 2019, totaling $354,000 in support.

In the 29 years of the program, the Coast Guard Foundation has paid out more than $5.4 million to more than 1,100 college-aged young adults.

Awardees include scholars such as Caroline Cutter. The daughter of Master Chief Petty Officer, Mark Cutter, a 27-year Coast Guard veteran and a resident of Massachusetts, Caroline was actively involved in varsity field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse during her high school years. She also found time to serve as a peer mentor and participated in several clubs, while also holding a leadership role on the Student Activity Board where she helped run special activities for her fellow classmates and school community.

While maintaining a busy extra-curricular and athletic schedule, Cutter graduated with a 4.0+ GPA with a challenging course-load of AP classes. Last summer, she participated in a four-week internship at Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, California. She plans to play club-level hockey in college. Enrolling in Middlebury College in the fall, she'll pursue a degree in computer science with a strong interest in cyber-security.

Jenna Murphy, daughter of Petty Officer Robert Murphy, is a 3.9 GPA student from New York who earned her Bronze, Silver and Gold Girl Scout Awards, having been a member of the Girl Scouts for 13 years and devoting more than 150 hours of community service. In addition, Murphy served as a math tutor, held student government leadership positions and is a three-sport athlete. Murphy also developed and implemented a program to help local teenagers reduce stress in a healthy way, conducted soccer clinics for younger players and ran a fundraiser that helped donate sports equipment to families in need.

Cheyanna Slack, daughter of Chief Petty Officer James Slack, startedher high school career in Guilford, Connecticut, and then moved to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Music was an important connector for her in both locations and, in addition to being involved with many community service projects and fundraisers, she established a program with other high school music students to mentor middle school students. The program has given both the high school and middle school students an opportunity to grow and gain confidence.

"The children of the brave men and women of the Coast Guard consistently demonstrate a focused dedication to their studies and desire to give back to their communities," said Susan Ludwig, president, Coast Guard Foundation. "These scholarships are an investment in the development of the next generation of leaders. The future of our country will be determined by these young adults. We are proud to assist them to get the education they desire."

For more on the Coast Guard Foundation's scholarship program, the Fallen Heroes Fund and the support given to Coast Guard members and their families, please view this video:

To learn more about the Coast Guard Foundation, or to help support its work, please visit coastguardfoundation.org.