NAVAIR PATUXENT RIVER, MD—To support education and show customer appreciation, the Pax River commissary has awarded a scholarship to a local high school graduate who was named co-valedictorian of her high school class.
Earning a $1,500 scholarship from the Defense Commissary Agency was Sarah Grace Sanders, of Leonardtown High School’s Class of 2003.
Sanders is the daughter of Capt. Scott and Jane Sanders of California, Md. Sanders serves as commanding officer of the Reserve Carrier Group 4 Unit in Norfolk, Va., and is the regional Blue and Gold Officer for the U.S. Naval Academy. He also works as a resource manager for Veridian, Inc.
Sarah Sanders, who graduated with a 4.35 grade point average, was selected for the scholarship from a pool of 6,500 applicants nationwide. In addition to her academic credentials, Sanders was selected based on her high level of community involvement.
Among her many community service activities, she helped raise money for victims of the World Trade Center attack and organized a “Harvest for the Hungry” food drive. She also contributes her time as a Special Olympics volunteer. The DeCA scholarship award was presented to Sanders by Calvin Galbreath, store administrator at the station commissary, in a ceremony at the commissary June 6.
“Community involvement is what the Patuxent River Commissary is all about,” Galbreath said, “and scholarships for military children is just one way to show we care.”
Also on hand for the award presentation was Capt. Zachary Henry, NAVAIR Pax River executive officer, who congratulated Sanders on her accomplishment.
On receiving the award, Sanders said it would help toward her college education.
“I’m really thankful to the base commissary for this award,” Sanders said. “It’s great that there are benefits like this for military children.”
In her valedictory speech at Leonardtown High School, Sanders said that even though the door of high school was closing, she and her classmates should hold on to their memories and friendships while embracing what lies ahead.
“We must seize our future and take it into our own hands, doing with it what we will, always striving for excellence,” Sanders said.
This fall, Sanders heads to the University of Virginia where she plans to major in biochemistry. She received more than $50,000 in scholarship awards, including a scholarship from the Hollywood Optimists Club and the Elks Legacy Scholarship. She will also receive $15,000 per year for three years under a U.S. Air Force ROTC scholarship.
Also serving as Leonardtown High School’s co-valedictorian for the class of 2003 was Jennifer Trainer, the daughter of Capt. Tim Trainer, executive officer of Naval Air Depot North Island and former executive assistant to Vice Adm. Joe Dyer.