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Pope Scholarship Committee provides financial assistance

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mindy Bloem
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The Pope Scholarship Committee offers various Pope members the chance to expand their educational horizons by giving them a monetary boost in their respective direction. 

The Pope Scholarship Committee provides a scholarship program to Air Force spouses, graduating high school seniors and students continuing their education. The PSC receives funding from the Pope Spouses Association, the Chiefs' Group and other private sources. 

The scholarship money is awarded annually. In previous years, the committee has given out anywhere from $12,000 to $28,000. This year, they awarded a total of $12,000 to various individuals in need of assistance. 

Each year the committee decides how much is awarded to each winner based on the amount of money the committee has received and the number of qualified applicants, said Master Sgt. John Lium, 743rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and PSC treasurer. 

Rossyris Roman, an Air Force spouse, received $500 toward finishing her degree. While deployed overseas, her husband, Staff Sgt. Jimmy Roman, 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, sent her an e-mail about the scholarship program and prompted her to apply. 

"The desire to finish my degree, so I could help my family have a better future, made me want to apply," she said. "I filled out an application and wrote an essay. It will help me financially so I don't have to take more loans. Finishing my degree will also help us get closer to our goal of having a better future." 

Mrs. Roman is planning to finish her teaching degree and is grateful for the financial assistance from the PSC. 

"I want to thank the scholarship program for awarding me the money to help me get closer to my goal of becoming a teacher," she said. "I hope that when I become a teacher I am able to give back to the Air Force community for what they are giving me now." 

She said she will finish her degree by working hard, planning her schedule and getting good grades. 

Mrs. Roman offered this advice to those who hold reservations about applying: "I would tell them to go ahead and apply because it doesn't matter how much you get, it only matters how much closer you will be to getting your degree." 

Another scholarship recipient, Lionel Earl III, received $2,000 toward college expenses. He is planning to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

"Tuition at college is not cheap, so the scholarship will definitely help with that," said Lionel. "It will also help with other expenses such as books and room/board. 

"Earning this scholarship is such a good thing because it will help my family finance my college education," he added. "It is nice to know that our Air Force community is so supportive of dependents and families." 

To apply, the individual must reside in the local area and be a family member of an Air Force member (active duty, Guard, Reserve or active duty retired). 

"Everyone should definitely give it a shot," said Lionel. "I know of a lot of talented students who will be graduating in the following years and I think they should apply so they can have a chance at getting the scholarship." 

Sergeant Lium said this program is important because it gives financial support to Air Force dependents who wish to pursue their college education. 

"I personally know the sacrifices that have to be made in order to further your education," he added. "I enjoy being a part of an organization that helps defray the expenses involved in earning a degree." 

He also recognizes that this is a joint effort among various organizations. 

"The overwhelming generosity and support of our contributors have made this scholarship program a success year after year. Without volunteers from the Pope Spouses Association and the Chiefs' Group, along with other private organizations, we would not have the funding to provide this program," Sergeant Lium noted. 

"I would like to thank the diligent volunteers of the Pope Thrift Shop managed by Marcia Braid and Rita Warren for their hard work in raising the majority of the money that made this year a success," said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Gibson, 743rd AMXS, during a banquet which recognized the scholarship winners. 

For more information or to get involved with this committee, call Sergeant Lium at 394-6014.