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
LCDR KIERON “TATER” O’CONNER, BLUE ANGELS, MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Kylie Ostermeyer
Papillion, Nebraska
Truman State University
Sponsored by
Jon R. Winthrop, Chairman and CEO, The Air Group, Inc., Van Nuys, California
THE “SWEET DENYSE” DAVIS ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Austin Silveria
San Juan Capistrano, California
California Polytechnic State University
Sponsored by
Captain John Davis USN(Ret)
CVW-2 SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
William Drake
Amherst, NH
Vanderbilt University
Sponsored by
The entire Carrier Air Wing
CVW-5 SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Natalie Fleshman
Buena Vista, VA
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Sponsored by
Vice Admiral Ross A. and Deidre L. Myers
CDR FRANCIS MARTIN DOBBERTIEN SCHOLARSHIP, No. 3
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Samantha Hicks
Rhome, TX
Texas A&M University
Sponsored by
Francis Martin Dobbertien
TAILHOOK 60th ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Charles Zangas
Fenelton, PA
University of Pittsburgh
Sponsored by
The generous participants at Tailhook 2015
KANSAS CITY BAR-B-QUE; “HOME OF TOPGUN THE MOVIE” SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Jake Ehret
Coronado, CA
University of California Los Angeles
Sponsored by
Mr. Martin Blair and the Kansas City Bar-B-Que
USS LANGLEY (CVL-27) ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Madeline Bland
Alton, IL
Purdue University
Sponsored by
The USS Langley (CVL-27) Association
USS LEXINGTON (CV-16) “THE BLUE GHOST” SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Avery Smith
Austin, TX
Auburn University
Sponsored by
Tailhook since 2007
USS MIDWAY (CV-41) FOUNDATION; FREEDOM ISN’T FREE SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Paige Holloway
Rocklin, California
University of California, Santa Barbara
Sponsored by
The USS Midway Foundation
USS ORISKANY (CV-34) “THE MIGHTY O” SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Cory Milsap
Overland Park, KS
University of Alabama
Sponsored by
Generous donations from Hook 2007 Attendees and The Golden Wings Foundation
CAPT ALEX “YOGI” HNARKIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
John Gregory
Spokane Valley, WA
University of Southern California
Sponsored by
The Hnarkis family and friends
BAE ELECTRONICS SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Patrick Smith
Gulf Breeze, FL
Northwestern University
Sponsored by
BAE Electronics
WERNER L. FRANK SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Andrew Schild
Wilmington, NC
Rhodes College
Sponsored by
Dan Frank and Family
HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES SCHOLARSHIP I
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Elizabeth Croop
Powell, OH
Ohio State University
Sponsored by
Huntington Ingalls Industries; “Hard Stuff Done Right”
HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES SCHOLARSHIP II
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Mattison Boveri
Lake Bluff, Il
University of Pennsylvania
Sponsored by
Huntington Ingalls Industries; “Hard Stuff Done Right”
LCDR HARRY AND STACY SKRIM; DEFYING THE ODDS SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Jamie Gallagher
Spicewood, TX
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Prescott
Sponsored by
Harry and Stacy Skirm
THE WEST STAR AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Abraham Farrell
Herkimer, NY
Binghamton University
Sponsored by
West Star Aviation
TEST & EVALUATION SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Michelle Hinkey
Pensacola, FL
Cornell University
Sponsored by
2014 reunion and the SOUTHWEST COMMANDRY
‘BUTCH’ BUCCIARELLI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Lillian Meekin
Lexington, KY
University of Kentucky
Sponsored by
Bucciarelli family and Tailhook