As has become a tradition close to Memorial Day, the Marshalltown Community College Foundation and the Fairall Memorial Scholarship Committee celebrated with student recipients and their families the selection for one of MCC’s most prestigious scholarships. Because members of their families chose to serve in the Armed Forces, these Marshalltown Community College students were eligible and eventually selected as recipients of the Loyal S. and Helen Fairall Memorial Scholarships for 2018-19.
The Committee awarded five full tuition and fees scholarships (up to 16 hours) to the following recipients: Anna Carlson, Jaci Hardman, Samantha Lammert, David Seuss, and Brian Trowbridge. Five $2,500 scholarships were awarded to Mariah Bockes, Katelyn Choate, Christopher Gummert, Zachary Sills, and Cooper White. The total value of the 10 scholarships is more than $38,000.
For the 16th year, the selection committee awarded the scholarships in memory of Loyal S. and Helen Fairall. In all, 105 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.
“My father established this scholarship to honor his father’s service, and the service of all veterans. An education and service to country are the legacy my father and grandfather wanted to preserve,” says Kelley Fairall Fifer, daughter of Charles Fairall and granddaughter of Loyal S. Fairall. “We’re pleased to give out 10 scholarships this year, recognizing hard work and service evident in your families and these students.”
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 about 50 applications.
Mariah Bockes – Mariah is the daughter of Shawn and Stacey Bockes. She is a 2018 graduate of West Marshall High School, where she has been involved in cross country, track, basketball cheer, and drama club. She’s also done volunteering, and was crowned Homecoming Queen for West Marshall. Mariah’s family includes several service members, including grandfathers Eugene Anderson (Marines) and Thomas Rector (Army), and great-grandfather Milo Clark, who served in the Navy in WWII. A cousin, Brody Harms, has served in the National Guard and uncle Kenny Cline served in the Navy. ($2,500 award)
Anna Carlson – Anna is the son of Dan Watson and Cynthia Carlson. She is a 2018 graduate of Marshalltown High School, where she was active with art, Key Club, history, National Honor Society, Poetry Out Loud, and theater tech crew, among other things. Anna has been an active volunteer in the community at House of Compassion, the library, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, St. Henry’s Church, and the YMCA. Her grandfather, Theodore Watson, served in the U.S. Marine Corps for about 14 years, during which time he earned several service medals. (Full tuition award)
Katelyn Choate – Katelyn is the daughter of the late Ricky Choate and Lori Choate-Trusheim. She is a 2017 graduate of BCLUW High School, where she was in volleyball and track and participated in other activities. She attended MCC this past year and has kept up her outstanding academic work, earning a 4.0 GPA in the fall semester. This is Katelyn’s second year to receive the award. Her father, Ricky, served in the Army from 1980-84, and her maternal grandfather, Daniel Dooley, served in the Army in Vietnam from 1969-71. Katelyn also mentions that her family’s military tradition includes a great-grandfather who served during World War II, and her brother served as well. ($2,500 award)
Christopher Gummert – Christopher is the son of Mark and Christy Gummert, and a 2000 graduate of Marshalltown High School. Chris has worked hard and made the most of his MCC experience. He volunteered to be a Lego League judge, and he tends a prolific garden that provided tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and squash for the Iowa Veterans’ Home. He also serves on the Wolfe Lake Association committee. Chris plans to attend the Tippie School of Business at the University of Iowa after graduating from MCC. This is his second year to receive the award. Both of Christopher’s grandfathers served in the armed forces: Jerry Gummert served in the Navy from 1956-62, and Ralph Beach served in the Air Force from 1951-1955, during which time he earned several commendations. ($2,500 award)
Jaci Hardman – Jaci is the daughter of Jeff Hardman and Kendra Youds. A 2018 graduate of Marshalltown High School, she was a football manager for three years and in the Silver Cord program, through which she volunteered over 200 hours. She has been volunteering at the Iowa Veterans’ Home since she was 12, and has been active in her church youth group, including doing yard work, babysitting, House of Compassion and adopting a family for Christmas through the Salvation Army. Her grandfather, Roger Hardman, served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, receiving several medals. (Full tuition award)
Samantha Lammert – Samantha is the daughter of Chad Lammert and Michelle Lammert of Marshalltown. She graduated in 2017 from Marshalltown High School, and she has completed her first year of college at MCC. This is her second year to receive the award. Samantha’s grandfather, William Lynn McLain, served in the Army from 1969-75 as an Aviation Mechanic, including service in Vietnam; he earned a number of awards and commendations. (Full tuition award)
David Seuss – David is the son of Larry and Catherine Seuss. He is a 1982 graduate of Marshalltown High School and has studied at Santa Ana College and most recently at MCC. David joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1987 and served until 1991 as an Aircraft Firefighting and Rescue Specialist, receiving a number of commendations and awards. David is working toward a degree in Broadcasting/Digital Media at MCC, achieving a 4.0 GPA this past year. This is his second year to receive the award. (Full tuition award)
Zachary Sills – Zachary is the son of Michael and Nancy Sills of Marshalltown. He graduated this spring from Marshalltown High School, where he has been in marching, jazz, concert and pep bands. He’s been taking advantage of college credit and AP courses at MHS. Zachary has earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 1846, and he’s active at Our Savior Lutheran Church as well. His father, Michael, served in the Army and his grandfather, Arvin Schmidt, served in the armed forces as well. ($2,500 award)
Brian Trowbridge – Brian is the son of James & Maria Trowbridge of Marshalltown. He’s a 2018 graduate of Marshalltown High School, where he was on the honor roll each year. He participated in football, wrestling, track, and baseball, earning letters in each sport in addition to his academic letters. Brian is a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church and has done many community service projects. His father served in the Air Force, receiving many commendations related to his duties. Other family members in the military include great-grandfather James C. Trowbridge, who served in the Marines on Pacific duty during WWII; great-grandfather Ronald R. Shutt, who served in the Army and was stationed in Korea; and grandfather Melchor Montoya, who served in the U.S. Navy. (Full tuition award)
Cooper White – Cooper is the son of Matt and Carrie White, and he graduated last year from West Marshall High School with a 3.3 GPA. This past year, Cooper has been a student in the Utility Tech program at MCC, and has been performing extremely well in the Gas Lineman track for the program. Cooper works part-time for DMACC in maintenance and serves as a volunteer firefighter for Melbourne. This is his second year to receive the award. His father was in the Army as a Ranger Qualified Combat Medic. His grandfather, John White, also served in the Army and currently is active in the Marshall County Honor Guard. Great-grandfather Charles Johnson was a Mechanic in Army and decorated during WWII, and great-grandfather Eldon Horn was in the Marines in WWII, serving in the Pacific, where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. ($2,500 award)
Applications for the 2019-20 scholarship will be available from the MCC Foundation Office at 3700 S. Center St. in Marshalltown after Jan. 1, 2019. Completed applications with supporting documents will be due to the Foundation Office by March 29, 2019.
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, MCC Foundation Director, at 641-844-5747.
PHOTO CAPTION – 2018-19 Fairall Scholarship recipients and presenters are, from left, Vic Hellberg (committee member), Samantha Lammert, Kelley Fairall Fifer (committee member), Jaci Hardman, Zachary Sills, Anna Carlson, Brian Trowbridge, Mariah Bockes, Christopher Gummert, and Katelyn Choate. (Recipients David Seuss and Cooper White and committee member Jeff Heiden are not pictured.)