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
C.W. AND MARNY GILLULY SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Skye Gulledge
West Lebanon, NH
Knox College
Sponsored by
C.W. and Marny Gilluly
THE “TRADER JON” MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Sydney Marler
Ridgecrest, CA
Stanford University
Sponsored by
The Friends of Martin “Trader Jon” Weissman
LT NICK BENSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Natalie Hickerson
Chapel Hill, NC
Harvard University
Sponsored by
CAPT Eric and Barb Benson and Friends of LT Stephen Nicklous “Nick” Benson
CDR GLEN “LEFTY” HANSEN SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Grace Sibley
Leesburg, VA
Penn State University
Sponsored by
CAPT Mindy Suszan, USN
FIGHTER PILOT RED SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Lillian Furey
Winter Park, Florida
Florida Southern University
Sponsored by
Bella Luna Winery; Sherman Smoot and Kevin Healy, owners
VADM RICHARD C. “SWEETPEA” ALLEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Kazmine Longmore
Trophy Club, TX
Auburn University
Sponsored by
Global Exposition Services (GES) — The Tailhook exhibitor coordinator — - Providing exhibition and event services in every major market across the globe -
JAMES A. de GANAHL SCHOLARSHIP, No. 2
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Juliana Bates
Pace, Fl
University of Alabama
Sponsored by
Dorothy “Dossie” de Ganahl
RADM JACK CHRISTIANSEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Anna Balch
Atlanta, GA
Auburn University
Sponsored by
Clare, Tom and Tina Christiansen
A-7 CORSAIR II ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Stephanie Johnson
Pembroke, MA
The University of Michigan
Sponsored by
The A-7 Corsair II Association membership
LT STEVE ZILBERMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Sasha Richie
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Duke University
Sponsored by
Tailhook
LCDR DAVID WOOSTER “WOOT” TAYLOR JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Katherine Sharp
Broken Arrow, OK
University of Tulsa
Sponsored by
His son, CAPT David Wooster Thornhill, USNR(Ret)
CDR CLYDE RAY WELCH AND NANCY MACDONALD RODGER WELCH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Daniel Bannon
Virginia Beach, VA
The University of Notre Dame
Sponsored by
Captain Rodger Welch, USN(Ret), Mr. Scott Welch and family friends
CDR DEAN “DIZ” LAIRD, USN (Ret) SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Kylie Bugbee
Marietta, GA
Florida State University
Sponsored by
Donations from Hook 2012 Reunion Attendees
CDR JOHN “BUG” ROACH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Meredith Hansen
Reno, Nevada
University of California, San Diego
Sponsored by
The Nugget Casino Resort - The annual host hotel for the Tailhook Reunion
CDR WILLIAM H. SEARFUS AND STANLEY A. SEARFUS MEMORIAL SCHOLASHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Jessica Kennedy
Prescott, Arizona
Grand Canyon University
Sponsored by
Tailhook
CDR FRANCIS MARTIN DOBBERTIEN SCHOLARSHIP, No. 2
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Ashby Snow
Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
University of Texas at Austin
Sponsored by
Francis Martin Dobbertien
CAPT LOU & JANE KRISER
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Lauren Chuderewicz
Virginia Beach, VA
Carnegie Mellon University
Sponsored by
Captain Lou Kriser USN(Ret) & Jane Kriser
ADM TIMOTHY “TIMBO” KEATING SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Luke Wevley
Springfield, VA
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Sponsored by
Family, friends and 2011 Tailhook reunion donors
KIM “SALES” WOODY AND LIANA ROBERTS TAILHOOK SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Caroline Basset
Atlanta, GA
Davidson College
Sponsored by
Friends and by Tailhook
40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE VIETNAM WAR + HONOR AND TRIBUTE TO THE RETURN OF OUR POWS & MIA SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Samantha Schwartz
Gautier, MS
Mississippi College
Sponsored by
Hook 2013 Reunion Attendees