MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- The Defense Commissary Agency and Fisher House Foundation awarded its annual scholarship to Sarah J. Gobin of Leesburg, Ga., during a ceremony here, June 3.
For Gobin, it is a double honor to receive the $1,500 scholarship for the second consecutive year, and two years ago she also won the Officer Spouses’ Club scholarship.
“I found out about the DeCA scholarship two years ago and applied through the fastweb.com link and dropped it (application) off at the Commissary. I won the scholarship last year and knew that I could apply for it again this year, so I did,” Gobin said.
Gobin, a junior at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Ga., is majoring in biochemistry and pre-pharmacy. She is the daughter of Hal Gobin, director, Computer Information Systems Division, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany.
“I knew I wanted to go into the medical field because my mom is a doctor, but decided not to go the medical school route, so I chose pharmacy and plan to obtain my Doctor of Pharmacy after graduation from LaGrange,” she said.
The criteria needed to apply and be considered for the DeCA scholarship is:
* Be a qualified dependent of a U.S. military identification card holder
* Plan to or currently attend a four-year college or university on a full-time basis
* Have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (Gobin currently has a 3.96 GPA)
* Provide examples of community involvement
* Write an essay that demonstrates critical thinking
“Tuition prices are going up and the economy is down. This is such a great relief to be able to put this money towards my education so I don’t have to take out as many loans,” Gobin said. “It is a lot of money and really helps out.”
Francisco M. Toves, store director, Albany Commissary, said this year’s essay topic was “What would you put in a time capsule to help people who open the capsule in the next century understand the military life today?”
“Due to the size of our store, we can only award one scholarship. It is really a great program and to see military children further their education is great, because education is the key to their futures,” Toves said. “I encourage all military children who are preparing to graduate from high school or who are already in college to apply for this scholarship because this is money that is out there for them if they meet the criteria.”
“Since starting college, I have really gotten interested in chemistry and science, so I decided to pursue a career in pharmaceutical research,” Gobin said. “I have also won other merit scholarships through LaGrange since I have been in school.”
According to the Web site, www.militaryscholar.org, The Scholarships for Military Children Program is primarily funded through the generosity of manufacturers and suppliers whose products are sold at military commissaries, worldwide.
“We are sponsors of this scholarship program and have been involved for the past five years and are very pleased with the success of the program. We are excited that kids can get an education, especially military kids,” said Ken Stegall, national accounts manager, Pactiv Corporation/Hefty E-Z Foil Division.
Gobin added she is amazed that she won again this year and knows that it is uncommon for a person to win two years in a row, but she was holding her breath.