Congratulations to this year's scholarship grant awardees. Another record year for the Tailhook Educational Foundation (TEF), with 85 scholarships awarded.

All high school and college student awardees have established superior grade-point averages and the highest SAT scores. While they maintained outstanding academic records, each of the students participated in athletics, student government or community service and many plan to pursue graduate degrees. Several of the awardees are children whose fathers were killed in the line of duty. All have established exceptional academic and leadership records.

Former U.S. Navy and Marine Corps enlisted applicants compete against each other in a separate category. Their selection is based on their service to the country and their initial academic performance in college. Awardees have demonstrated superior capability while in the service and have continued to excel in college.

Additionally, this year we are proud to select two of our applicants for the TEF/Wagner College $15,000 Presidential Scholarship.

Thanks to all for your kindness, your donations and your continued support.

Karin Bryeans

Whittier, California

A senior at California High School, granddaughter of a deceased navy pilot Henry Paul Bryeans, Karin has an undying passion for musical theater and business. Karin is a member of her schools nationally recognized cheerleading squad and is currently the varsity captain. She has also had many years of training in singing, acting and dancing. She plans on attending Wagner College in the fall to major in musical theater and minor in accounting. Karin will be graduating with a 4.0 GPA and a member of the elite business academy. She will be attending Wagner College.

Olivia Nicole Puckett

San Diego, California

Starting at the age of five, Olivia began performing in various roles in the San Diego Junior Theater (SDJT). This and other experiences with SDJT helped her develop talents and contributed to her decision to major in Musical Theater Arts. Her grandfather, father, and uncle served on various aircraft carriers. She will be attending Wagner College.

This award is made in the name of RADM Thomas F. Brown III, USN(Ret), whose 31-year career included 5,000 flight hours, 1,017 carrier landings and 343 Vietnam missions. Among units commanded were USS Midway (CV-41) and Carrier Groups One and Five. His degrees from Mt. St. Mary's, U.C. Berkeley and the National War College and his ongoing second career as a middle school teacher and administrator underscore his lifelong commitment to education. Tom served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tailhook from 1996-2000 and was instrumental in reestablishing strong links with the Navy.

Cydney Dupree

Bowie, Maryland

A junior at Brown University studying Psychology, and hopes to one day earn her master's degree and Ph.D. in Social Psychology through graduate study in London. Cydney is a member of Brown's Varsity Fencing team, and trains as a classical pianist through Brown's Applied Music Program. An avid traveler, studies both Spanish and French.

CAPT Wally Schirra, one of the first seven American astronauts and the only one to fly Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions, attended the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, earning a B.S. degree in 1945. He finished pilot training at Pensacola, earning his Wings of Gold in 1948. A carrier pilot who flew 90 combat missions in Korea as an exchange pilot with the U.S. Air Force, he shot down one MiG with credit for a possible second. CAPT Schirra retired from the Navy and resigned from NASA in 1969. He was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Air Medals, two NASA Distinguished Service Medals and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. He passed away on 3 May 2007.

Hank Peppe

Plattsmouth, Nebraska

Hank spent his early years in Virginia Beach, Va. He attended high school in Nebraska and graduated May 2008 as valedictorian from Plattsmouth High School, ranking 15 in his class with a 4.0 GP A. He played high school varsity football and wrestling, lettering in both sports and was a member of the math club, Spanish club, Student Council and National Honor Society. Hank is attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he is studying mechanical engineering. He is the son of an F14 radar intercept officer, LCDR Craig Peppe, USN(Ret) and Cindy Peppe.

VADM James B. Stockdale, an indomitable Medal of Honor awardee, Naval Aviator and academician who endured more than seven years of captivity during the Vietnam War was one of the most highly decorated officers in U.S. Naval history. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Purple Hearts and four Silver Stars among his 26 combat decorations. He was the only three-star admiral to wear both aviator wings and the Medal of Honor, which was presented by President Ford in 1976.

Erik Steiner

McLean, Virginia

Erik is the son and grandson of Naval Aviators, CAPT Walt Steiner and CAPT Paul LeBlanc. He spent much of his childhood in Brussels, Belgium attending French school and he has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Russia. Erik is an Eagle Scout, and permanent member of the National Slavic Honor Society. He will attend Georgia Tech and major in aerospace engineering.