Several Central Iowa families had an extra special reason to honor family members who have served in the Armed Forces this Memorial Day. Because members of their families chose to serve in the Armed Forces, these students were eligible and eventually selected as recipients of the Loyal S. and Helen Fairall Memorial Scholarships.
The Fairall Memorial Scholarships provide full tuition and fees for 16 credit hours a semester, for the 2015-2016 academic year at Marshalltown Community College. Recipients are: Ashley Bond, Ellis Buchwald, Kathleen McHenry, and Breanna Stewart. $2,500 annual awards will be given to Ryan Flynn, Miranda Smith and Lexie Valentine.
For the thirteenth year, the American Legion Scholarship Committee awarded the scholarships in memory of Loyal S. and Helen Fairall. In all, 71 MCC students have received the Fairall Memorial scholarships, something the Fairall family believes would have made Loyal very proud. Loyal served in leadership positions of American Legion Post #46 and was Commander in 1956. The award honors all of the men and women who are or have served their country so faithfully through the years.
“I challenge the students awarded with the Fairall Memorial Scholarship to make the most of the opportunity before them,” says Kelley Fairall Fifer, daughter of Charles Fairall, and granddaughter of Loyal S. Fairall. “An education and service to country are the legacy my father and grandfather wanted to preserve. With 71 scholarships awarded since 2002, the scholarship is doing both.”
Applicants for the Fairall Memorial Scholarship must meet criteria of having family members who served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Members of the American Legion Scholarship Committee Kelley Fairall Fifer, Jeff Heiden and Vic Hellberg selected the students after carefully evaluating many applicants.
Carol Geil, MCC Foundation Executive Director, welcomed the students and their families; “There is a legacy of commitment to important values within the Fairall family. Two of their most strongly held values are education, and service to country. By creating this scholarship fund, they have combined their commitment to these values and honor these other families’ service to country by giving educational assistance to a college student in the family.”
Ashley Bond, daughter of Roger Poe and Betty Westling, is a 2002 graduate of BCLUW High School. She has two grandfathers who served in the military. Roger Poe served with the US Army and Army Reserve from 1971-1974 as an auto mechanic. Ashley hopes to eventually earn her Bachelor of Nursing degree and work in the NICU of a hospital.
Ellis Buchwald, son of Robert and Laurie Buchwald, graduated from Marshalltown High School (MHS) this year. His grandfather, Arthur Buchwald, served in the Army in 1954 and then transferred to the Army Reserve until 1962. His maternal grandfather, A.J. Ream, also served in the Army and Army Reserve, receiving his honorable discharge in 1963. After MCC, Ellis plans to transfer to the University of Iowa to pursue International Business. He plans to play soccer at MCC in the fall.
Ryan Flynn, son of Kenneth and Connie Flynn, graduated from Hartey Melvin-Sanborn Community Schools in 2014. He attended MCC this past year, achieving a 4.0 GPA. Ryan’s grandfather, Robert Lee Harson, served in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1945-46. Ryan plans to continue his studies in Human Services and eventually wants to become a pharmacist.
Kathleen McHenry, daughter of Kim and Jerry McHenry, is a 2014 graduate of MHS. Her great-grandfather, Fritz Rose, served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Kathleen has participated in swimming and diving, track, and dance. She is involved in MCC Student Senate, Phi Theta Kappa, National Honor Society, and is the president of the GLBTQ Alliance on campus.
Miranda Smith, daughter of Darren and Doreen Smith, is a 2013 graduate of MHS. Miranda has been working her way through the nursing programs at MCC since graduating, and has passed the LPN program and its associated boards this spring. Her grandfather, Rudy Frye, served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1960. She played volleyball her first year at MCC, but chose not to play her second year so she could focus on her heavy nursing class load. When she does find free time, she helps coach a 10th grade club volleyball team.
Breanna Stewart, daughter of Bryan and Tara Stewart, graduated this year from East Marshall High School. Her grandfather, Rex Sevcik, served in the U.S. Navy from 1957-63 as an engineman. Breanna has been involved in many activities during school, including student leadership roles, music, speech, and is also very active with her church.
Lexie Valentine, daughter of Donovan Valentine and Torie Bassett, is a 2015 graduate of Saydel High School in Des Moines. Lexie’s grandfather, Albert Valentine, served U.S. Army and was stationed in South Korea from 1968-70. He returned home and continued serving his country in the National Guard until 2003, after 30 years of service. Lexie plans to study Criminal Justice at MCC, hoping to someday work with DNA for criminal investigations. She has also signed her letter of intent to play softball for the MCC Tigers.
Applications for the 2016-17 scholarship will be available from the MCC Financial Aid office, 3700 S. Center St., Marshalltown, or the American Legion Post #46, PO Box 157, Marshalltown, IA 50158 after January 1 of 2016. Completed forms will due to the Legion Scholarship Committee by March 1.
Creating a memorial scholarship is one way to establish a legacy and financially assist MCC students and future students with their education. Anyone interested in learning more about starting a scholarship at MCC can contact Carol Geil, at 641-844-5747.
PHOTO CAPTION: 2015-2016 Fairall Scholarship Winners
Front row L-R: Breanna Stewart, Ashley Bond, Lexie Valentine, Kathleen McHenry, Ellis Buchwald. Back row L-R: Kelley Fairall Fifer (committee member), Jeff Heiden (committee member), Miranda Smith, Ryan Flynn. (not pictured is Vic Hellberg)