
19 of the 37 scholarship recipients pose for photos at the Fort Belvoir Officers' Club, July 26, after a record-breaking amount was granted by the Michaels Organization Educational Foundation, totalling more than $329,000.
The Michaels Organization, which owns and manages the Villages at Belvoir, has awarded a record amount this year in 37 scholarships to Fort Belvoir students through the Michaels Organization Educational Foundation. According to Jennifer Watson, Community Manager, the scholarships total more than $329,500, which she said more than doubles any other previous year and is also a record number of Fort Belvoir recipients.
Gathering at the Fort Belvoir Officers’ Club, July 26, families had an opportunity to enjoy a catered lunch and visit with Melissa Cramer, Villages at Belvoir Project Director, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Garth Newell and COL Joseph Messina, Garrison Commander.
As students prepared to be recognized after lunch, COL Messina said he was surprised by the amount awarded this year.
“When I saw the $329,000 amount, I thought that was across the Michaels’ portfolio for all eight installations they manage,” Messina said. “For Fort Belvoir alone, that is huge. I will tell you I’ve met quite a few of the families here today, and I will say that the young men and women that you have chosen are the right men and women – there’s some outstanding young folks here today.”
With this year’s new record, the foundation has successfully awarded more than $14 million to thousands of residents, Watson said, noting that all foundational funds are raised through voluntary contributions by companies and private individuals throughout The Michaels Organization’s business network. All incoming donations are then matched - $2 for every dollar donated – by The Michaels Organization’s founder and chairman, Michael Levitt and his wife, Pat Levitt.
Fort Belvoir congratulates this year’s 37 scholarship recipients:
Riley Alexander, William Beaudoin, Aiden Boone, Lily Boone, Tatyana Bovarnick, Augustus Brown, Victoria Burgos-Melendez, Abner Burgos-Melendez, Lauren Capel, John Copeland, Skylar Deegan, Alejandra Escobar, Kiersten Fearrington, Rosalyn Ficklin, Jaslyn Florence, Christian Greiner, Adrienne Hall, Kaiden Heyliger, Alexander Hime-Smull, Hannah Hime-Smull, Cole Hinchcliff, Kayla Howerton, Samuel Huey, Abrielle Janaros, Michala Janaros, Jadon Janaros, Daryl Holloway, Jr., Calvin Loomis, Cameron Magee, Ikaika Mendoza, Justin Murray, Jamar Oldacre, Paola Quinones-Ruiz, Liam Smith, Carson Caroline Soto, Samyra Williams and Lindsey Wong.
The resident scholars will be attending various community colleges and universities across the country, and some will use their grants to participate in vocational training programs.
Scholarships are awarded annually, and students may reapply each year of their education for continuing grants.
The Michaels Organization, which owns and manages the Villages at Belvoir, has awarded a record amount this year in 37 scholarships to Fort Belvoir students through the Michaels Organization Educational Foundation. According to Jennifer Watson, Community Manager, the scholarships total more than $329,500, which she said more than doubles any other previous year and is also a record number of Fort Belvoir recipients.
Gathering at the Fort Belvoir Officers’ Club, July 26, families had an opportunity to enjoy a catered lunch and visit with Melissa Cramer, Villages at Belvoir Project Director, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Garth Newell and COL Joseph Messina, Garrison Commander.
As students prepared to be recognized after lunch, COL Messina said he was surprised by the amount awarded this year.
“When I saw the $329,000 amount, I thought that was across the Michaels’ portfolio for all eight installations they manage,” Messina said. “For Fort Belvoir alone, that is huge. I will tell you I’ve met quite a few of the families here today, and I will say that the young men and women that you have chosen are the right men and women – there’s some outstanding young folks here today.”
With this year’s new record, the foundation has successfully awarded more than $14 million to thousands of residents, Watson said, noting that all foundational funds are raised through voluntary contributions by companies and private individuals throughout The Michaels Organization’s business network. All incoming donations are then matched - $2 for every dollar donated – by The Michaels Organization’s founder and chairman, Michael Levitt and his wife, Pat Levitt.
Fort Belvoir congratulates this year’s 37 scholarship recipients:
Riley Alexander, William Beaudoin, Aiden Boone, Lily Boone, Tatyana Bovarnick, Augustus Brown, Victoria Burgos-Melendez, Abner Burgos-Melendez, Lauren Capel, John Copeland, Skylar Deegan, Alejandra Escobar, Kiersten Fearrington, Rosalyn Ficklin, Jaslyn Florence, Christian Greiner, Adrienne Hall, Kaiden Heyliger, Alexander Hime-Smull, Hannah Hime-Smull, Cole Hinchcliff, Kayla Howerton, Samuel Huey, Abrielle Janaros, Michala Janaros, Jadon Janaros, Daryl Holloway, Jr., Calvin Loomis, Cameron Magee, Ikaika Mendoza, Justin Murray, Jamar Oldacre, Paola Quinones-Ruiz, Liam Smith, Carson Caroline Soto, Samyra Williams and Lindsey Wong.
The resident scholars will be attending various community colleges and universities across the country, and some will use their grants to participate in vocational training programs.
Scholarships are awarded annually, and students may reapply each year of their education for continuing grants.
By Paul Lara, Fort Belvoir Public Affairs