Annual Scholarship Banquet Recognizes Students

Continuing AFCEAs proud heritage of awarding funds to outstanding scholars, the chapter hosted its annual scholarship gala in April. With more than 430 guests filling the ballroom, the chapter recognized the outstanding achievements of 14 extraordinary students from 11 high schools in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Each student was formally presented a scholarship award of $2,500, a new iPad, an HP Deskjet printer and other gifts donated by sponsors. Additionally, the chapter presented $8,000 in Science Teaching Tools grants to four high schools for equipment enhancements to the classroom and supplies or innovative activities for special science-related teaching projects or programs emphasizing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curricula.

Lampton Enochs, managing partner at the Oscar-winning Moonbot Studios, delivered the keynote address in which he challenged the young minds to innovate, persevere and shoot for the moon. Enochs expressed that he was honored to be part of the ceremony. Recognizing each student by name, he remarked on the high caliber of academic excellence of this year's scholarship recipients. The evening was made possible by the generosity of more than 50 corporate, military and academic sponsors, including Boeing—the events title sponsor for the third consecutive year. During the banquet, Kent Schneider, president and chief executive officer of AFCEA International, received a check from Lt. Col. Curtis Juell, USAF, chapter president, on behalf of the chapter for $2,500 as a contribution to the Educational Foundation's special STEM scholar grants program. Schneider concluded the evening's events with closing remarks in which he expressed congratulations to the students and gratitude to the banquet's sponsors and volunteers.

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