Twelfth Annual Fairall Memorial Scholarships Awarded
Several Central Iowa families had an extra special reason to honor family members who have served in the Armed Forces this Memorial Day. Because members of their families chose to serve in the Armed Forces, these students were eligible and eventually selected as recipients of the Loyal S. and Helen Fairall Memorial Scholarships.
The Fairall Memorial Scholarships provide full tuition and fees for 16 credit hours a semester, for the 2014-2015 academic year at Marshalltown Community College. Recipients are: Emily Anker, Brenda Burrows, Emily Guymer, Samantha Mowrey, Rachel Noe, Andrew Potter, and Claire Underwood.
For the twelfth year the American Legion Scholarship Committee awarded the scholarships in memory of Loyal S. and Helen Fairall. In all, 64 MCC students have received the Fairall Memorial scholarships, something the Fairall family believes would have made Loyal very proud. Loyal served in leadership positions of American Legion Post #46 and was Commander in 1956. The award honors all of the men and women who are or have served their country so faithfully through the years.
Applicants for the Fairall Memorial Scholarship must meet criteria of having family members who served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Members of the American Legion Scholarship Committee Kelley Fairall Fifer, Jeff Heiden and Vic Hellberg selected the students after carefully evaluating many applicants.
Carol Geil, MCC Foundation Executive Director, welcomed the students and their families; “There is a legacy of commitment to important values within the Fairall family. Two of their most strongly held values are education, and service to country. By creating this scholarship fund, they have combined their commitment to these values and honor these other families’ service to country by giving educational assistance to a college student in the family.”
Emily Anker, daughter of David and Kristie Anker of Earlham, graduated from Earlham Community High School in 2013. Emily’s father, David Anker, is a Navy Veteran and has been on Reserve Duty with the Iowa National Guard since 1988, including two post-9/11 deployments, with one overseas. This is the second year Emily has received the full-tuition scholarship and she’s extremely grateful for the opportunity. “Being a recipient of last year’s Loyal S. and Helen Fairall Memorial Scholarship allowed me to be a more active member of MCC and the Marshalltown community. After being so involved at my high school, it has been a joy to continue my involvement in sports, school activities, and clubs here at MCC.”
Brenda Burrows, daughter of Julian Pinon and Patricia Vargas of Tama, is in her second semester of MCC’s Practical Nursing Program. Brenda’s husband, Brandon, currently serves in the Iowa National Guard as a helicopter pilot and has served in overseas deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Emily Guymer, daughter of Jeff Guymer and Amy LeWarne of Marshalltown, is a 2013 graduate of Marshalltown High School. Emily’s Grandfather, Avis Hartsell, was a Master Sergeant in the Army during the Korean War from 1951-52. He served with the 45th and 369th Replacement Companies in Inchon. This is the second year Emily has received this prestigious scholarship. She plans to finish her A.A. degree at MCC and transfer to Iowa State University and pursue a degree in Education.
Samantha Mowrey, daughter of the late Richard Mowrey, and Brian and Christine Gould of Gladbrook, is a 2012 Green Mountain-Garwin High School graduate. She has already completed the Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medication Aide, and MCC’s Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program. She currently works as an LPN at Primary Health Care in Marshalltown. Samantha intends to eventually obtain a Master’s Degree as a Nurse Practitioner. Her Grandfather, Harold Vajgrt, served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This is the second year Samantha has received this scholarship.
Rachel Noe, daughter of Allan and Karen Noe, is a 2014 graduate of Marshalltown High School. Rachel was involved in many activities at MHS, including cheerleading, color guard/drill team, French club, and the Delegation for the Advancement of History. Rachel’s grandfather, Dohren Richardson, served in WWII and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Richardson was also imprisoned in Stalag IV-B, a POW camp in Germany. Rachel’s paternal grandfather, Leroy Noe, also served during WWII from 1943-46.
Andrew Potter, son of Steve and Chris Potter, is a 2014 graduate of Marshalltown High School. Andrew’s grandparents, George and Annette Fillian both served in the armed forces. Annette served in 1945-46 as a Medic in the Army, and George served in 1951-52 in the Air Force Reserves. Andrew has run cross-country and track, and has been in band, jazz band and pep band. He’s also a member of the National Honor Society.
Claire Underwood, daughter of Gary Underwood and Sue Goodman, is a 2014 graduate of West Marshall High School. Her grandfather, Donald Goodman, served in the U.S. Army from 1956-58 as a clerk-typist. With this scholarship, Claire will be able to pursue her goals of going to college and becoming an accountant.
Applications for the 2015-16 scholarship will be available from the MCC Financial Aid office, 3700 S. Center St., Marshalltown, or the American Legion Post #46, PO Box 157, Marshalltown, IA 50158 after January 1 of 2015. Completed forms will due to the Legion Scholarship Committee by March 1.
Creating a memorial scholarship is one way to establish a legacy and financially assist MCC students and future students with their education. Anyone interested in learning more about starting a scholarship at MCC can contact Carol Geil, at 641-844-5747.