Meet our 2021 CGF USAA Enlisted Reserve Scholarship Recipients
The Coast Guard Foundation, thanks to the generosity of USAA, recently awarded eight scholarships to enlisted Coast Guard Reservists and their family members. This long-standing program recognizes the unique contributions and sacrifices that Coast Guard reserve members make to our Nation, and is open to members of the selected reserve or individual ready reserve, and their spouses and college-aged children. The scholarship program affords them an opportunity to work towards their higher education goals, and build successful careers that sustain their local communities.
Coast Guard Rear Admiral James M. Kelly, Assistant Commandant for Reserve personally called each scholarship recipient to share the news and offer congratulations.
Coast Guard Reservists: Serving their country, community
MST3 Justice Bailey, Sector Miami, Fla. Petty Officer Bailey is enrolled in a Master’s Degree program at the University of South Florida, where he is studying exercise science. “The Coast Guard has provided me with so many opportunities,” shared Justice. “I am forever grateful and will continue to strive for greatness both in and out of my Coast Guard career.”
BM2 Robert Headley, PSU 312, San Francisco, Calif. Petty Officer Headley is studying for a graduate degree in Instructional Science and Technology at California State University in Monterey Bay. He is a professional umpire within the Minor League Baseball system when he is not on active status. In his free time, he lends his umpiring and teaching skills to the Wounded Warrior Umpire Academy, a program dedicated to help injured service members transition to civilian life through baseball umpiring. Professionally, he aspires to a career as a commissioned Coast Guard officer.
MST2 Linnhe Martin, Sector New York, Staten Island, N.Y. Petty Officer Martin is working towards her Master’s Degree in Emergency Management at the University of Maryland Global Campus. Relying on the lessons and training from Boot Camp, she challenged himself to complete a 100-mile ultramarathon in Charleston, S.C., last year.
“Thank you for this reserve scholarship opportunity,” wrote Linnhe in a note of appreciation to the Coast Guard Foundation. “This fall, I deployed for the first time for Hurricane Ida relief and was able to maintain my degree studies without disruption.”
BM1 Yaphet Morales, Station Chicago, Ill. Petty Officer Morales is in pursuit of an MBA at St. Leo University in Florida. When attached to PSU 309 and deployed to Korea, he founded the unit’s first chapter of the Coast Guard’s Leadership and Diversity Council in support of a diverse and inclusive Coast Guard workforce. In his civilian career, he is a long-time educator. He leads a team of 30 AmeriCorps members and staff in training to help close the achievement gap for Milwaukee’s public school students.
“I plan to use my degree to be a leader in my community both in the military and in my civilian career. Thank you, Coast Guard Foundation, for this amazing opportunity,” shared Morales.
Coast Guard Families: Striving for Excellence
Mrs. Jenna Dickey, San Francisco, Calif. Mrs. Dickey is the spouse of Petty Officer Brennan Dickey, who is attached to PSU 312 in San Francisco. She is enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree program at Wichita State University, where she is studying dental hygiene. She is committed to working with underserved populations, and has generously volunteered her time and talents to provide important dental care around the Bay Area for people in need.
Mrs. Hannah Laurel, Portsmouth, Va. Mrs. Laurel is the spouse of Petty Officer Shane Haupt, who is assigned to Station Portsmouth. She is pursuing a graduate degree in Behavior Analysis Practice at Florida Institute of Technology. She is passionate about helping children on the Autism spectrum reach their full potential.
“A master’s degree may not be a big deal to a lot of people, but to me, it’s everything,” shared Hannah. “I am almost through my first semester, am thriving in my classes, and have grown immensely in my passion to help people with ASD flourish in their own lives.”
Ms. Saige Skuja, Puget Sound, Wash. Ms. Skuja is the daughter of Senior Chief Scott McLaughlin of Sector Puget Sound and is studying nursing, with a focus on pediatric care, at Grand Canyon University. She is an active volunteer in her community, including mentoring elementary school children and sewing and distributing more than 1,000 masks for health care professional and first-responders during the early stages of the pandemic.
Ms. Anna Strack, South Portland, Maine: Ms. Strack is the daughter of Senior Chief James Strack of Sector Northern New England, and is enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology, studying fine arts and illustration. She is grateful for the opportunities her father’s Coast Guard Reserve service has afforded her, and is inspired by his professional career as a police officer.
About our Key Partner: USAA is a diversified financial services group of companies and is among the leading providers of insurance, investing and banking solutions to members of the U.S. military and veterans who have honorably served and their families. Since 2001, USAA has invested in the Coast Guard Foundation’s education program by providing scholarships to Coast Guard Reserve members and their families.
