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2006 Fort Polk Scholarship and Grant Recipients

The 2006 Our Family for Families First scholarship and grant recipients have been selected. Two $40,000 college scholarships were awarded to Soldiers' teenagers at Fort Polk and three spouses received $5,000 educational grants. Students were evaluated on a number of criteria, including merit, and need-based criteria, including grade point average, extracurricular activities, volunteer and community involvement, financial need, letters of recommendation and a personal essay.

Picerne Military Housing would like to congratulate the following recipients and encourages others to apply for the 2007 Our Family for Families First scholarships and grants.

Scholarship Recipients

Lindsay Krause is a 17 year-old high school student from Leesville High School who dreams of being a journalist. She is an outstanding student and hopes to attend the University of Southern California or Cal State . She volunteers with a local nursing home and volunteered for more than four years at the Port Huron Armory in Michigan . She interviewed her step-father, SGT Charles Campbell (who was deployed at the time), for her essay and told an insightful, caring and inspiring story of their lives as a military family. She wrote, "I have to keep reminding myself that he is gone for a good reason, and he is proud to be there. It is a sacrifice my whole family has to make in order to support his choice to serve his country." Lindsay's honors and awards include:

  • Certificate of Academic Excellence
  • Volunteer, Family Readiness Program
  • Member, National Honor Society
  • Member, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).

Brandi Runnels is a 17 year-old high school student, also from Leesville High School. She is an exceptional student who is very active in school activities. She also volunteers as a soccer coach and referee with the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO). She has been accepted to Louisiana State University. Her father, 1SG Jason Runnels, "is one of the greatest people I know" who "has never turned away from [a challenge] or done something half-heartedly." He has been deployed for most of the past three years. Brandi's honors and awards include:

  • Member, Hispanic Honor Society
  • Member, Referee, Coach, AYSO
  • Member, Varsity Soccer team
  • Member, Crossroads FC United Soccer Team.

Grant Recipients
  • Kieshia Caro is pursuing her undergraduate degree with a 4.0 GPA. Her husband is SGT Gregory Caro. She has three children and is active in the community.
  • Andrea Disque is attending graduate school with a 4.0. She wants to improve life for her kids by bettering her education. Her husband is SFC Brian Disque.
  • Tamika Woodley is enrolled in technical college with a 3.6 GPA. She has 3 children and is very active in the community. Her husband is SFC Van Woodley.