The Tailhook Educational Foundation
2023 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.
Donations to TEF can be deductible as charitable contributions.
The TEF Tax ID is: 33-00487778
In 2023, TEF awarded 123 scholarships to our best and brightest Naval Aviation legacy students.
Six of these scholarships were awarded to Gold Star students who lost their parent-sponsor while they were still serving on active duty.
2023 Scholarships
USS LANGLEY (CVL-27) ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Allen Grinaldis
Augusta, GA
University of Georgia
Sponsored by
The USS Langley (CVL-27) Association
RADM JAMES D. RAMAGE SCHOLARSHIP
4th Time Scholarship Awardee
Avery Smith
Charlotte, NC
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Sponsored by
The Ramage Family and Friends
C.W. AND MARNY GILLULY SCHOLARSHIP
3rd Time Scholarship Awardee
Samuel Wendolek
Eagan, MN
Texas Christian University
Sponsored by
C.W. and Marny Gilluly
THE GRAND CLUB SCHOLARSHIP
2nd Time Scholarship Awardee
Emma Shaarda
McBain, MI
Lipscomb University
Sponsored by
The Grand Club; Aircrew with 1,000 or more carrier arrested landings
THE ‘SPIRIT OF CARRIER AVIATION’ SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Ryan Steinhilber
Ramsey, MN
University of Iowa
Sponsored by
The Friends of CDR T. Schenck Remsen, USN(Ret)
THE RAYTHEON COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Kendall Nelson
Danville, CA
University of California, Los Angeles
Sponsored by
The Raytheon Company
R.G. SMITH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
3rd Time Scholarship Awardee
Casey Whitworth
Leawood, KS
Boston University
Sponsored by
family and friends of R.G. Smith
THE BOEING COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Aidan Weymouth
Rockland, ME
University of Vermont
Sponsored by
The Boeing Company
LT NICK BENSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee | 1st of 2 TEF Scholarships Earned this year
Emma Carroll
Pensacola, FL
Rollins College
Sponsored by
CAPT Eric and Barb Benson and Friends of LT Stephen Nicklous “Nick” Benson
LCDR CHARLES A. BRACKIN ‘DIRTY SHIRT’ MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
1st Time Scholarship Awardee
Former Enlisted Awardee
Helmuth Castaneda
Las Vegas, NV
Liberty University
Sponsored by
The Family and Friends of LCDR Charles A. “Chuck” Brackin, USN(Ret)
JOHN E. PORTER SCHOLARSHIP, No. 1 & 2
3rd Time Scholarship Awardee
Olivia Johnson
Hyrum, UT
Georgia Institute of Technology
Sponsored by
AVCM John E. Porter, USN(Ret)
CDR EDWARD ‘FAST EDDIE’ POWERS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
4th Time Scholarship Awardee
Sarah Grosse
La Place, LA
Southeast Missouri State University
Sponsored by
Ann and Bill Hoehn of the Hoehn Foundation
