Madison Bird receives military scholarship

Madison Bird receives military scholarship

Alva Review Courier

07.25.11

One of the military community's premier benefits has become even more valuable to 670 college and high school students. The annual Scholarships for Military Children Program winners have been announced and the "Honor Roll" is impressive.

Madison Bird of Alva, is a recipient of a $1,500 college scholarship awarded at Vance AFB. Vance AFB is one of over 250 commissaries operated worldwide by the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA). Madison's parents are Raye Lyn and Allen “Skeeter” Bird. Madison is enrolled, or plans to enroll, at Northwestern OK State University. Madison's school and community activities include: Key Club; FCA; NHS; Miss Keystone Lake Teen; Soccer, Captain.

The Scholarships for Military Children Program was initiated in 2000 to award scholarships to graduating high school seniors or college-enrolled students. The scholarship program is open to qualified sons and daughters of members of the U.S. Armed Services including active duty, retirees, guard/reserves, as well as children of deceased military personnel. Applications are turned in through commissaries.

Applicants for the 2011 program were required to maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average, participate in voluntary school and community activities, demonstrate leadership qualities, and write an essay on "Our nation has a goal of improving health and wellness. What are your ideas, and more importantly, how do you propose to put these ideas into action in your local community?".

Manufacturers and organizations that do business with the commissary system funded the scholarships with money ordinarily used for various other contests and promotions. Madison's scholarship at Vance AFB was funded through the generosity of Del Monte Foods.

The Fisher House Foundation administers the Scholarships for Military Children Program through-Scholarship Managers, a professional scholarship management services organization. Fisher House is known for building the military comfort homes near military medical facilities.