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, 13 Marshalltown Community College students were eligible and eventually selected as recipients of the Loyal S. and Helen Fairall Memorial Scholarships.
The Committee awarded seven full tuition and fees scholarships (up to 16 hours) to the following recipients for the 2017-2018 academic year: Samuel Brintnall, Dean Etzel, Denali Gardner, Raechel Hannam, Ryan Hass, Samantha Lammert, and David Seuss. $2,500 scholarships were awarded to Kara Braud, Katelyn Choate, Christopher Gummert, James Mason, Kellie Matney and Cooper White. The total value of the 13 scholarships is more than $57,000.
For the 15th year, the American Legion Scholarship Committee awarded the scholarships in memory of Loyal S. and Helen Fairall. In all, 95 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.
“My father established this scholarship to honor his father’s service, and the service of all veterans. An education and service to country are the legacy my father and grandfather wanted to preserve,” says Kelley Fairall Fifer, daughter of Charles Fairall and granddaughter of Loyal S. Fairall. “We’re pleased to give out 13 scholarships this year, the most we’ve ever offered.”
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 applications.
Kara Braud – Kara is the daughter of Terry and Marsha Braud of Gonzales, LA. She was a 1999 graduate of East Ascension High School with a 2.8 GPA, and attended LSU and the University of New Orleans, graduating with a BA in History in 2005. Kara’s father, Terry, served our country in the Air Force from 1968 to 1974 as a Radio Operator, including a year of service overseas. Kara has now decided she will pursue training as a nurse. She lives in Tama County on an organic farm with her fiancé and daughter.
Sam Brintnall – Sam is the son of Grant and Linda Brintnall. He graduated from Marshalltown High School this year with a 3.5 GPA. Colin’s grandfather, Herbert Lee Brintnall, was inducted into the Army in 1950, transferred to Army Reserve two years later, and received his honorable discharge in 1956. Sam has been involved in basketball, track and tennis at MHS, as well as National Honor Society, Student Senate and other leadership roles. Also, he has been active with his church, House of Compassion, the Veterans Home, and Salvation Army. At MCC, Sam plans to get his associate degree, then transfer to Iowa State or UNI to complete a bachelor’s degree and MBA in Accounting and Finance.
Katelyn Choate – Katelyn is the daughter of the late Ricky Choate and Lori Choate-Trusheim. She is a 2017 graduate of BCLUW High School with a 3.8 GPA. Katelyn’s father, Ricky, served in the Army from 1980 to 1984, and her maternal grandfather, Daniel Dooley, served in the Army in Vietnam from 1964 to 1971. Katelyn also mentions that her family’s military tradition includes a great-grandfather who served in World War II, and her brother is currently serving. Katelyn has been involved with volleyball, track and golf athletically, and has been on honor roll four years; she is a member of the honor society, yearbook club and science club. She volunteers as a coach, with the STARS program, at a nursing home, and in FCCLA.
Dean Etzel – Dean is the son of Deb Etzel. He graduated from Alburnett High School in 2016, enrolling last fall in the Gunsmith Technology program at the Iowa Valley Grinnell campus. This is his second year as a recipient of this scholarship. Dean’s grandfather, Larry Luke, served in the Marine Corps from 1960 to 1963. Dean has been involved with the Student Activities Committee at IVG, was personally selected for special gunsmithing projects last year by the faculty, and is working to start a shooting team and other college events.
Denali Gardner – Denali is the daughter of Darrell Gardner and Michelle Crumrine. She is a 2017 graduate of Marshalltown High School, with a 3.8 GPA. Denali’s father, Darrell, is currently on active duty in the U.S. Army. Denali has been active in high school in cross country and soccer, National Honor Society, Project Lead The Way classes, and is a Student Rotarian. She is a member of the Evangelical Free Church of Marshalltown and has gone on a mission trip to Sierra Leone, Africa; she also leads a girls’ Bible study. Denali plans to pursue a career in Nursing.
Christopher Gummert – Christopher is the son of Mark and Christy Gummert. He is a 2000 graduate of Marshalltown High School. Both of Christopher’s grandfathers served in the Armed Forces: Jerry Gummert served in the Navy from 1956-62, and Ralph Beach served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1955, where he earned several commendations. Christopher is candid about his struggles as a student when he was younger, but he has returned to MCC with a new perspective on his goals and classwork. He has volunteered locally at the Iowa Veterans Home, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and his band played for no charge at last year’s Marshall County fireworks celebration.
Raechel Hannam – Raechel is the daughter of Joe and Peggy Hannam of Marshalltown, and a 2016 graduate of Marshalltown High School. She attended MCC this year and has a 3.7 GPA. This is Raechel’s second year as a recipient of this scholarship. Her grandfather, William H. McCurdy, served in the U.S. Army, discharged in 1962. Raechel is working toward her associate degree, and then will transfer to Iowa State University for a bachelor’s degree. She’s been working as a project management intern at Mechdyne, coaches a Special Olympics swimmer, and had been on the Dean’s List and inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Ryan Hass – Ryan is the son of Jason and Jennifer Hass, and graduated from Marshalltown High School in 2016 with a 3.6 GPA. He attended MCC this year, keeping his GPA over 3.0 and working nearly full-time. This is the second year Ryan has received this scholarship. Ryan’s grandfather, Robert Hass, served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 in the infantry. Ryan has volunteered locally for the MOBI basketball tournament and Community Shred Day. He looks forward to graduating from MCC and continuing on at a four-year institution, possibly the local Buena Vista program.
Samantha Lammert – Samantha is the daughter of Chad Lammert and Michelle Lammert of Marshalltown. She graduated this spring from Marshalltown High School with a 2.8 GPA. She has been taking advantage of the dual credit program to complete her first year of college credits at MCC. Samantha’s grandfather, William Lynn McLain, served in the Army from 1969 to 1975 as an Aviation Mechanic; he was stationed in Vietnam and earned a number of awards and commendations. Samantha received a varsity letter for cheerleading, and has been employed throughout high school. She has also found time to volunteer at the hospital, Wolfe Ranch, the House of Compassion and Special Olympics. She has been on Student Senate as well, and is president of the Marshalltown Area Health Careers Club.
James Mason – James is the son of David and Carmon Mason. He graduated this spring from East Marshall High School with a 3.1 GPA. James’ grandfather, David Wedgewood, served in the Army from 1963 to 1966. James has been active in basketball, track and field, and basketball. He’s also been on student council, participated in virtual reality and robotics events, and has been working at jobs that provide skills in electrical and computer services.
Kellie Matney – Kellie is the daughter of Rick and Christine Matney of Marshalltown. She graduated this spring from Marshalltown High School with a 3.3 GPA. Kellie’s father, Rick, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1980 to 1985. Kellie has been on honor roll, earned an academic letter, participated in the Health Careers Club, and is in the Mentors Against Violence group. She has also found time to volunteer at the hospital, Special Olympics, and Big Brothers-Big Sisters.
David Seuss – David is the son of Larry and Catherine Seuss. He is a 1982 graduate of Marshalltown High School and continued at Santa Ana College, then most recently at MCC. David joined the U.S. Marine Corps from 1987 and served until 1991 as an Aircraft Firefighting and Rescue Specialist, receiving a number of commendations and awards. He was also honored with Dean’s List, Phi Theta Kappa and Student Leadership Advisory Board at Santa Ana College in California. David is a single father raising four children, and he is motivated to show his children the best example of hard work and self-reliance.
Cooper White – Cooper is the son of Carrie and Matthew White of Melbourne. He graduated this spring from West Marshall High School with a 3.3 GPA. Cooper’s father, Matthew, served in the Army from 1991 to 1994 as a Medical Specialist. Cooper has been active in football and wrestling, qualifying for state in wrestling three times and placing 3rd his junior year. He’s made honor roll every semester and has volunteered around the area, most notably as a volunteer firefighter. Cooper is looking forward to completing the Utility Technician program at MCC and working in that field.
Applications for the 2018-19 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 Jan. 1, 2018. Completed forms will due to the Legion Scholarship Committee by March 31, 2018.
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, MCC Foundation Director, at (641) 844-5747.
2017-2018 Fairall Scholarship Winners: Left to right: Kelley Fairall Fifer (committee member), David Seuss, James Mason, Kara Braud, Ryan Hass, Christopher Gummert, Cooper White, Sam Brintnall, Dean Etzel, Samantha Lammert, Raechel Hannam, Katelyn Choate and Kellie Matney. (Denali Gardner is not pictured.)