Announcing our 2024 Scholarship Awards

Coast Guard Foundation awarded $750,000 in scholarships to 207 Coast Guard dependents enrolled in college and trade school this year.

by Jennifer Crowley Fyke

September 4, 2024

This year, we awarded $750,000 in scholarships to 207 Coast Guard children enrolled in college and trade school. In addition to $5,000 and $2,500 merit awards, scholarships for children of Coast Guard members who died in the line of duty cover 100% of the expenses of higher education or trade school. This investment gives families relief and honors their heroism.

“We are proud of this year's scholarship recipients, whose resilience and academic achievements truly reflect the spirit of our Coast Guard families. These young people are shaping their futures and embodying the values of service that define our Coast Guard community,” said Susan Ludwig, Coast Guard Foundation president. “We extend our heartfelt thanks our generous community of donors for their support. Together, we are making a lasting impact, ensuring that these scholars can reach their fullest potential.”

LeNyah Bryan is a senior at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she will earn degrees in education and dance. She is the daughter of retired Coast Guard veteran Leon J. Bryan.

“Knowing that the Coast Guard Foundation believes in my potential is incredibly motivating. With this scholarship, I plan on taking full advantage of my education by taking master classes, performing and choreographing dance shows, and doing more research to create my teaching philosophy as a future dance educator,” she shared.

Ethan King, an Admiral Robert E. Kramek Scholarship recipient, is a freshman at the University of Michigan and is majoring in aerospace engineering. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia, in June. His career goals are significant. As the son of a Coast Guard helicopter pilot, he wants to work in the aerospace industry to help develop aircraft that set safety as their top priority as they work towards greater efficiency and innovation for search and rescue. He is the son of Capt. Jared King.

“I am extremely grateful and excited to have received the Kramek Scholarship from the Coast Guard Foundation,” shared Ethan. “This is an incredible opportunity and will allow me to pursue my future goals in higher education. This scholarship enables me to make the most of my time in college.”

Reagan Loran Galapon received a CAPT James F. Phair, USCG Memorial Scholarship and is a freshman at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he plans to study psychology. He graduated from University Laboratory School in Honolulu in May. Reagan is the son of retired Coast Guard veteran Ronnie Mercado Galapon.

“I am very grateful for your support and all that you do for other students like me. It will be my first year in college, and I will be studying psychology with an interest in engineering and finance,” shared Reagan. “The financial support you've provided will be a tremendous help in paying for my college expenses and will allow me to concentrate more of my time on academics. Thank you again for your generosity and support.”

Chloe Melendez is in her junior year at Cal Poly Humboldt, where she majors in mechanical engineering. This year, she was awarded a Clappin Family Scholarship. She is the daughter of Chief Petty Officer Guillermo Aroldo Melendez-Gaitan.

“I want to express how appreciative and profoundly honored I am to be chosen as a 2024 Coast Guard Foundation Clappin Family Scholar for the second year in a row. Thank you for your generosity, as it continues to impact my life in a positive way. This scholarship has allowed me to live on campus and access school resources to help me excel in my classes. I have contributed to major projects, such as a multifunctional apron for the school’s maker space, and become the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers club treasurer. Thank you again for your support,” shared Chloe.

Quentin K. Ramos II is a senior at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he will earn his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering this spring. He is the son of Chief Petty Officer Quentin K. Ramos.

He shared, “College and higher education opportunities can come at a painfully high cost, and I am thankful for all the help that the Coast Guard Foundation has given me throughout my college career. The scholarship will not only help me in my last year of school but also aid in my research project. I am again grateful for this opportunity.”

Austin Jackson graduated from Mandeville High School in Louisiana in May and is now enrolled at Mississippi State University, majoring in mechanical engineering. He is the son of retired Coast Guard veteran Christopher M. Jackson.

“Thank you for this scholarship opportunity. It is a life-changing event, and your generosity is my pathway to a brighter future. I look forward to being able to focus wholeheartedly on my engineering studies. As a military family that's sacrificed much over the years, I am sincerely grateful,” shared Austin.

Sage Roys graduated from Dublin High School in California this past spring and is enrolled at Eastern Washington University in a pre-med program. She is the daughter of Senior Chief Petty Officer Todd Roys.

“Thank you so much for this scholarship,” shared Sage. “I aspire to become a doctor, so this scholarship will really help with my college expenses. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

In the cover photo, Jolie McTamney is featured. She graduated first in her class from Wamago Regional High School in Litchfield, Conn. She studies business and marketing at Boston College and is on the D1 rowing team. She is the daughter of Capt. John McTamney.

Full List of 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Abbott Brown Scholarship
Arianna Guerrero | San Pedro, California

Captain Richard O. Buttrick Scholarship
Jessie Dlabaj | Goose Creek, South Carolina

Commander Ronald J. Cantin Scholarship
Morgan Machovec | Dubuque, Iowa

William Cargill Scholarship
Eric Smith | Franklin, Tennessee

Commander Daniel J. Christovich Scholarship
Lilly Freeman | Boyne City, Michigan

Clappin Family Scholarship
Emely Arredondo | Springfield, Massachusetts
Abigail Hines | Ledyard, Connecticut
Chloe Melendez | Ramona, California

Crowley Scholarship
Aidan Farmer | Staten Island, New York

CAPT Paul E. Deveau Scholarship
Memphis Rich | Richmond, Georgia

Eight Bells Scholarship
Garrett Reinhard | Meadow Vista, California

Fitzpatrick Family Scholarship
Nathan Petrat | Lake Orion, Michigan

Chief Bonnie Fogell Honorary Scholarship
Kendall Arneson | Kodiak, Alaska

CAPT Ernest W. Fox Scholarship
Mya Powers | Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Admiral Ed Gilbert Honorary Scholarship
Lindsay Wong | Prince Frederick, Maryland

Allan and Elaine Gifford Living Trust Scholarship
Aiden Adkins | Ewa Beach, Hawaii

Eleanor Gilford Scholarship
Caylee Barnes | Madison, Alabama

Lt. Anthony Grande Scholarship
Evan Hopper | Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation Scholarship
Liberty Paige | Sarasota, Florida
Emma Pippin | Daphne, Alabama

Admiral Robert E Kramek Scholarship
Eylin Arredondo | Springfield, Virginia
Jessica Hammond | Centreville, Maryland
Ethan King | Alexandria, Virginia
Casey Swan | Seneca, New York

Navy Federal Credit Union Scholarship
Marques Lasell | LaGrange, Kentucky
Brealyn Spritka | Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Thomas Niles Scholarship
Emily Bradley | Poquoson, Virginia
Mason Pinti | East Hampstead, New Hampshire
Alyson Sojak | Barnegat, New Jersey

The CAPT James F Phair, USCG Memorial Scholarship
Alexis Baumgartner | Temecula, California
Jonathan Blatchley | Southington, Connecticut
Reagan Loran Galapon | Pearl City, Hawaii

Red Stripe Scholarship, generously supported by Fred Brodsky
Cassidy Segelken | League City, Texas

David M Rudy Scholarship
Noah Warren | Camden, North Carolina

Seaman First Class Peter J. Russo and Signalman First Class Walter E. Lafferty Scholarship
Adrian King | Silverdale, Washington
Audrey Clark | Powell, Tennessee
Ayana Johnson | Leland, North Carolina
Jayden Justiano | Palm Harbor, Florida
Emma Helfer | Custer, South Dakota

Slattery Family Scholarship
Emma Brewer | Stafford, Virginia
Silver Carter | Chesapeake, Virginia

Harold T.N. Smith Coast Guard Scholarship
John Auldon Perkins | Princeton, West Virginia
Abigail Scott | Steep Falls, Maine

Thomas Stitt, Sr. Family Scholarship
Marissa Falcone | Cedar Point, North Carolina

Thiele Family Scholarship
Owen Dyer | Bristol, Maine
Alyssa VonGunten | Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

Westbrook Scholarship
Austin Connors | Rohnert Park, California
Lauren Presi | Old Lyme, Connecticut

by Jennifer Crowley Fyke

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