$50,000 in Need and Merit Based Scholarships Awarded to Four Fort Bragg Students

Our Family for Families First, John G. Picerne’s private charitable foundation, awarded 10 scholarships to military children. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $3.5 million in scholarships to the families of active-duty Service Members.  Among this year’s scholarship recipients are aspiring journalists, engineers, artists, those with medical school aspirations and business dreams. All of these students are aware of community needs and have actively worked to give back to the military communities they live in.

Graduating seniors of active-duty Service Members stationed at Forts Meade, Bragg, Riley, Sill, and Aberdeen Proving Ground received the scholarships in the amount of up to $12,500 per year for four years to pursue a secondary education at colleges and universities around the country.

“The caliber of students applying for our scholarships is exceptional,” said Maria Montalvo, Foundation executive director. “All of the applicants, the children of active-duty Service Members, are hard-working students who are active in their schools and communities and more than deserving of a college scholarship.”

Students receiving the scholarship will begin school in the fall and all will attend the four-year institution of their choice. This year’s award marks the seventh class of Our Future scholarship recipients.

John Picerne, Foundation Founder, said, “These are great kids. We are proud of them for what they’ve already achieved and are so happy to be a part of what they will become.”

Awards were all based on merit and need.  Students also submitted 1,000-word essays on the topic “How has being the child of an active-duty Service Member made you a qualified and deserving recipient for an academic scholarship?”

The names of the outstanding student(s) who received the awards are below:

Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Karl Gerdes attends Pinecrest High School and is involved in National Honor Society, French Club, Teen Court, multiple science and philosophy clubs, and is an Eagle Scout. He plans to attend North Carolina State University to pursue a five-year dual Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in nuclear engineering. His father is MSG Ian F. Gerdes.

Rachel Mosher attends Hoke County High School and has been very involved with her school newspaper, drama and anime clubs, theatre, and various community service projects. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is interested in journalism. Her dream job is to be editor-in-chief of a technology magazine. Her father is 1SG Gregory Mosher.

Audrey O’Maille attends Pinecrest High School and is involved in the health sciences club and is currently pursuing a Nurse’s Aide License through her high school Nursing Fundamentals program. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Pembroke to pursue a degree in nursing and will continue her studies to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Her father is Lt. Col. Patrick S. O’Maille.

Alex Snodgrass attends Hoke County High School and is involved with baseball, bowling, and is a coach during the summer. He plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to pursue degrees in business and engineering, and dreams of one day opening a donut shop. His father is MSG Russell L. Snodgrass.

Online applications are available each November at www.ourfamilyfoundation.org or call 401-228-2836 for more information.