The Minnesota National Guard Enlisted Association’s (MNGEA) Chapter 48 recently awarded two $500 scholarships for the 2017-2018 school year. The winners were Kyrie Kephart (daughter of MSgt Brian Kephart of Duluth, MN) and TSgt Jennifer Kuklenski (Ironwood, MI). MSgt Kephart is a Life Member of MNGEA and TSgt Kuklenski is a current MNGEA Chapter 48 member. Both individuals are current member of the 148th Fighter Wing based in Duluth, MN.
(Pictured above: MSgt Brian Kephart accepts a $500 Scholarship check for his daughter Kyrie who will be attending Lake Superior College. Presenting the check is Chapter 48 Co-Director SSgt Rachel Lawrence. TSgt Kuklenski was not present for presentation).
To be eligible to apply for a Chapter 48 Scholarship, applicants must meet certain mandatory requirements to include possessing a minimum 2.5 G.P.A. at time of submission, be a MNGEA Chapter 48 member in good standing and must submit an essay explaining what their educational goals are and how they will be benefitted by this scholarship.
MNGEA Chapter 48 is located in Duluth, Minnesota and assigned to MNGEA’s Area 11. The Chapter 48 Scholarship Program began as the brain child of former MNGEA State President Jerome Rouleau, retired Chief Master Sergeant assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing, Duluth, MN almost 20 years ago. In 2013, the first scholarships were awarded with a combined total of $1000. Mark Wasserbauer, Past Area 11 Co-Director (Chapter 48) stated “Our Chapter is very proud to have gotten this program off the ground and running. The program continues to grow and we hope to increase the amount of awards in the future.”
Past MNGEA Chapter 48 Scholarship winners:
2013 – Dane Jusula & Ally Dieryck
2014 – Tyler Schramm & Kylie Schaub
2015 – Ally Dieryck & Kerry Schaub
2016 – Kyria Kephart & Jennifer Kuklenski