The Tailhook Educational Foundation
2020 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 averaging more than $3,000 per grant with our top grant awarded at $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 deductible as charitable contributions.
The TEF Tax ID is: 33-00487778
In 2020, TEF awarded 109 scholarships to our brightest Naval Aviation legacy students.
2020 Scholarships
LT KEVIN COLLING, BLUE ANGELS, MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Holly Stephens
Henrico, VA
George Mason University
Sponsored by
Jon R. Winthrop, Chairman and CEO, The Air Group, Inc., Van Nuys, California
LCDR KEVIN “KOJAK” DAVIS, BLUE ANGELS, MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
David Rainwater
Sheridan, AR
Ouachita Baptist University
Sponsored by
Jon R. Winthrop, Chairman and CEO, The Air Group, Inc., Van Nuys, California
Captain JEFF “KOOCH” KUSS, BLUE ANGELS, MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
3rd Time Scholarship Awardee
Kylie Bugbee
Marietta, GA
Florida State University
Sponsored by
Jon R. Winthrop, Chairman and CEO, The Air Group, Inc., Van Nuys, California
CAPT ROGER “SPOOK” McFILLEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Kolby Wilkinson
Santa Paula, CA
University of California, San Diego
Sponsored by
Mile High (Colorado) Tailhook Association Ready Room, family and friends
THE CAPT GARY HAKANSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Sara Vandersip
Raleigh, NC
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Sponsored by
LCDR Pilalas, USNR
LCDR JOHN FARNSWORTH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Will Butler
Virginia Beach, VA
University of Virginia
Sponsored by
Mr. Donald Sherman
CDR JOHN “BUG” ROACH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Julia Hansen
Reno, Nevada
University of Nevada, Reno
Sponsored by
The Nugget Casino Resort - The annual host hotel for the Tailhook Reunion
THE LTJG STERLING G. GILLIAM SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Owen Littrell
Hebron, KY
Arizona State University
Sponsored by
His son, CAPT Sterling G. Gilliam Jr. and Family
FIGHTER PILOT RED SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Olivia Dela Cruz
Mathews, NC
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Sponsored by
Bella Luna Winery; Sherman Smoot and Kevin Healy, owners
VADM RICHARD C. “SWEETPEA” ALLEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Sarah Grosse
La Place, LA
Southeast Missouri State University
Sponsored by
Global Exposition Services (GES) — The Tailhook exhibitor coordinator — - Providing exhibition and event services in every major market across the globe -
A-7 CORSAIR II ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Stephanie Johnson
Pembroke, MA
The University of Michigan
Sponsored by
The A-7 Corsair II Association membership
THE ELECTRONIC ATTACK COMMUNITY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
John Fahey
Lakeland, TN
University of Florida
Sponsored by
The Prowler Association