Oklahoma Cadets Earns Civil Air Patrol Academic Scholarships
OKLAHOMA CADETS EARN CIVIL AIR PATROL ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
by 1st Lt. Brandon Lunsford, Sr, CAP, Oklahoma Wing
C/Lt Col Bailey Lunsford (left), C/Col Bethany Wilson (middle), and C/Lt Col Jackie Harsha
during Wilson’s tenure as cadet commander of the 2019 Oklahoma-Arkansas Encampment
Credit: C/CMSgt Shelby Williams, CAP, Oklahoma Wing
TULSA, Okla–Civil Air Patrol’s 2019 scholarship finalists have received 91 awards collectively worth $154,570.
Each year, CAP provides financial assistance to select, deserving cadets through academic and flight scholarships based on merit or needs-based awards. The scholarship portfolio is announced each fall, and finalists are named the following spring and summer.
“For the first time, we are able to offer academic scholarships equal to the amount of our highly recommended applicants,” said Wendy Hamilton of CAP’s cadet program, who said 62 academic scholarships were awarded — all to applicants with a 3.80 or higher grade-point average and an SAT score of 1311 and/or an ACT score of 28 or above.
“This puts our scholarship applicants on academic par with the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2022,” she said.
The most recent recipients include three Oklahoma Wing cadets, C/Col Bethany Wilson of Broken Arrow, C/Lt Col Jacquelyn Harsha of Edmond, and C/Lt Col Bailey Lunsford of Broken Arrow. The three young ladies are also each working on their private pilot’s licenses.
Wilson is a freshman at Tulsa University, majoring in mechanical engineering.
“To any cadets who are interested in drawing the most out of the program, put in effort,” Wilson stated. “The achievement and development you have the potential to get out of this program is solely dependent on the amount of heart you put into your actions. If you strive to perform with excellence, in return, you will reap excellent skills and beneficial knowledge.”
Harsha is a freshman at Oklahoma State University, double majoring in geospatial science information and Spanish. She also joined the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp at OSU.
“Go to every National Cadet Special Activity you can,” Harsha said. “You can never go to too many, I went to seven and learned something valuable at every single one. Also apply for every scholarship and position you can, even if you don’t think you are good enough. You may be the best candidate without even knowing it. The worst that can happen is they say no and you apply again later, but then at least you know what you can improve on for next time.”
Lunsford is a freshman at Tulsa Community College, majoring in mechanical engineering. She has applied for entrance into the United States Air Force Academy, planning to double major in mechanical and aerospace engineering.
“Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone,” Lunsford said. “Find something you are passionate about and do it. If you enjoy flying, go fly. If you love drill and ceremonies, try color guard. If you like teaching, then teach. CAP has a component for everyone. There are a multitude of special activities that will challenge you and help you grow. Find what you love, then do it as much as possible.”
For more information on the opportunities offered by Civil Air Patrol, visit goCivilAirPatrol.com.
