The Scholarship
The following items will be required: transcript, two personal essays, a teacher recommendation letter, and a candidate information sheet.
This postsecondary education scholarship, awarded for the first time in 2016, is for dependent children of women who served in any branch of the U.S. armed forces and deployed abroad while assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit participating in Operations Iraqi Freedom (3/20/03 - 8/31/10), Enduring Freedom (10/7/01 - 12/28/14), New Dawn (9/1/10- 12/15/11), Freedom’s Sentinel (1/1/15 - 8/30/21) and Operation Inherent Resolve (6/15/2014-present).
The scholarship is a one-time award, but recipients may reapply for the award each year that they are eligible. Valor Run will award up to two $5,000 scholarships each year. Awards are given directly to recipients for use towards any educational need.
Individuals are not eligible for this award if enrolled at or attending a service academy or if in receipt of any other full tuition scholarship including ROTC. Students utilizing the post 9/11 GI Bill are eligible for this scholarship.
Please note, this scholarship is for dependent children of women veterans.
2023 Scholarship Recipients
Nicole Birch
Nicole will begin her senior year at Chapman University this fall. She is a double major in screenwriting and psychology. She has this to say about her mom, LtCol Elizabeth Birch, USMC ret., "My mom has always been my greatest role model. She taught me what it meant to be a strong woman, that being brave isn't being afraid of nothing, but having the courage to face your fears. She always pushed me to do my best and supported me no matter what. I am proud to say my mother is a retired Marine."
Andrew Beute
Andrew will begin his freshman year at the University of Michigan in the fall of 2023. He has this to say about his mom, Trisha, who served in the United States Navy as a Medical Officer. "I really am proud of my mother's military service. It's strange to know that before I was born, my parents were serving in the military. I suppose it would be nice to think that I was important enough to draw her away from that. I have never asked her why she served, so I really do not know what compelled her to do what she did for a living. We did talk about the fact that she served very early into the time period in which women were allowed to serve in the Navy and for this I am really proud to be her son. It makes me happy to think how strong and dedicated she must have been to do what she did and join the military. At the end of the day, I am proud to say that my mother was in the Navy.”
2022 Scholarship Recipients
Maya Moore
Maya is a junior majoring in Zoology and minoring in Nutrition. She has this to say about her mom: "One of the reasons I'm thankful for the time my mom devoted to the military is that I wouldn't be here had she not left home. She met my dad in the Navy, so actually both my parents are Navy veterans. Another reason I'm honored to be my mom's daughter is that her work ethic is unmatched, and the Navy helped her in that way. She has always taught me to commit to things fully and with my best intentions. Because of her time in the Navy, she was surrounded by a diverse group of people she never would have met had she stayed in our small hometown in PA. It's also amazing to say that she's still in touch with her old friends from the Navy. By enlisting in the Navy at 19 years old, my mom proved her bravery and acceptance of new challenges. She told me although it was physically and mentally demanding, she has no regrets."
Zander Buchan
Zander will be studying Computer Science at University of South Carolina at Columbia as a freshman in the fall of 2022. He has this to say about his mom: "I am extremely proud of my mom and what she had accomplished serving 6 years in the Air Force With her hard work and dedication to protecting our freedoms and risking her life for our country really shows a lot about my mom and her character. She is such a caring person and never to put herself in front of others. I aspire to be just like her when it comes to her ability to want to help others. She has a saying that she loves, “each one, teach one”. Meaning what she learns she attempts to help others by passing it on and teaching them."
2021 scholarship recipient
Angie Parker
Angie studies Psychology at Mt. San Jacinto College and just earned her first college 4.0 for the Spring 2021 semester. Angie is proud of her mom's service: "Throughout the many years of watching my mother serve in the Marine Corps, I’ve learned, been taught, and have adapted, not only as a person but into the young woman I am today. Watching my mother make sacrifices for her family and Marines motivated me from a young age to want to do well and even set the example for those around me. I truly believe my mother’s service to our country has impacted my life in such a significantly positive way. I admire her strength, courage, and determination and I too hope to fulfill all goals set fourth to the best of my efforts and continue to make my family proud."
2020 scholarship recipients
Alivia Giles
Alivia will pursue a biology degree when she begins college in the fall and had this to say about her mom: “My mom has been serving in the military for 33 years and has shown me what it looks like to be courageous, driven, and successful. Although she has traveled a number of times throughout her career and has spent much time away, she has always been there to support every second of my life and I am very grateful for that. As I have witness her diligent service to individuals around the world, she truly motivates and continues to inspire me every day.”
Ethan Goyette
Ethan will pursue a Mechanical Engineering degree this fall and had this to say about his mom: “My mom’s service to our nation gives me tremendous pride and as her son, I am proud to tell people that she is a Marine. She taught me the value of hard work and demonstrated what it means to never give up. She successfully balanced her dedication to the Marine Corps with her devotion to my family and we felt that love and support each and every day. Her commitment to always do the right thing and serve others inspires me to join the service after I graduate college.”