The Tailhook Educational Foundation
2019 Scholarships
The Tailhook Educational Foundation (TEF) is a California based 501(C)3 nonprofit organization. TEF’s charter is to educate the public on United States Navy carrier aviation and its importance to our country's national security.
TEF awards over 100 scholarships annually ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 per year. A number of our TEF grants are awarded to students pursuing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math) curriculum. All TEF grants assist Naval Aviation legacy undergraduate students obtain a higher education.
TEF scholarships are only made possible by the continued generosity of our individual and organizational donors. All donations to TEF are fully deductible as charitable contributions.
The TEF Tax ID is: 33-00487778
In 2019, TEF awarded 105 scholarships to our brightest Naval Aviation legacy students.
2019 Scholarships
LT KEVIN COLLING, BLUE ANGELS, MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Anne Baldino
Kildeer, Illinois
University of Miami
Sponsored by
Jon R. Winthrop, Chairman and CEO, The Air Group, Inc., Van Nuys, California
LCDR KEVIN “KOJAK” DAVIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, BLUE ANGELS SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Andrew Recker
Valparaiso, IN
University of Southern California
Sponsored by
Jon R. Winthrop, Chairman and CEO, The Air Group, Inc., Van Nuys, California
THE LTJG STERLING G. GILLIAM SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Sarah Burlingame
Steilacoom, Washington
Liberty University
Sponsored by
His son, CAPT Sterling G. Gilliam Jr. and Family
Captain JEFF “KOOCH” KUSS USMC, BLUE ANGELS, MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Macey Thonen
Omaha, NE
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Sponsored by
Jon R. Winthrop, Chairman and CEO, The Air Group, Inc., Van Nuys, California
THE “CHICK” TUCKER SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Erika Swanson
Greenfield, MN
Bethel University
Sponsored by
CAPT Gene Tucker, USN(Ret)
THE TOPGUN SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Benjamin Markert
Portsmouth, RI
Yale University
Sponsored by
The TOPGUN Association & the generous Hook ‘19 symposium donors
CAPT RICHARD L. “ZEKE” CORMIER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Olivia Dom
Napa, CA
Chapman University
Sponsored by
The Blue Angels Association
RADM LEONARD A. “SWOOSE” SNEAD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Lauren Scarry
Ashburn, VA
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Sponsored by
Pratt & Whitney Military Engines
JOHN E. PORTER SCHOLARSHIP, No. 1
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Lolliard Prau
Brockton, MA
Suffolk University
Sponsored by
AVCM John E. Porter, USN(Ret)
CAPT WYNN “HOOK” FOSTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Abigail Price
Reno, NV
Stanford University
Sponsored by
Tailhook
JAMES A. de GANAHL SCHOLARSHIP, No. 1
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Carson Alfonzo
San Diego, CA
Texas Christian University
Sponsored by
Dorothy “Dossie” de Ganahl
CAPT JOHNNY L. “TURK” GREEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Nicholas Mortimore
Prescott, AZ
University of Arizona
Sponsored by
Family, friends and Industry
LT PAT BUCKLEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
3rd Time Scholarship Awardee
Joseph Tanaka
Carlsbad, CA
The University of Notre Dame
Sponsored by
The Buckley family and the San Diego Tailhook Ready Room
LCDR JOHN FARNSWORTH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Joshua Romine
Highlands Ranch, CO
Duke University
Sponsored by
Mr. Donald Sherman
THE JAY CHRISTOPHER TIGHT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Nathan Chism
Port Hueneme, CA
Biola University
Sponsored by
His Mother, Father, Brother, Widow, and Children
CDR DOMINIC DiMATTEO, USN(Ret) SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Jack Glad
Burnsville, MN
Stanford University
Sponsored by
James M. Slattery
TIP OF THE SPEAR SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Henry Daniel
Thomaston, GA
Georgia Institute of Technology
Sponsored by
The 2014 Tailhook reunion attendees
CAPT RAY ALCORN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Jacob Zangas
Fenelton, PA
Geneva College
Sponsored by
The Alcorn family
JOHN E. PORTER SCHOLARSHIP, No. 2
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Eleanor Alden
Carlsbad, CA
The University of Chicago
Sponsored by
AVCM John E. Porter, USN(Ret)
VADM JAMES B. STOCKDALE & SYBIL STOCKDALE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Emma Sandke
Coronado, CA
Northeastern University
Sponsored by
Tailhook