• FORT HOOD, Texas
In a July 1 ceremony here at the base’s Warrior Way Commissary, students received $2,000 in scholarships as part of the Fisher House Scholarships for Military Children Program.
Each year, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Fisher House Foundation partner to bring the scholarships to military children of active-duty, reserve, retired and deceased service members.
“We have our [representatives] and our vendors who come in and who are part of the Fisher House, and the scholarship is a way to give back to our community and our budding students who are going to be something,” said Andrea Kirby, commissary officer, Clear Creek Commissary, the base’s other DeCA location.
HOW IT WORKS
Fisher House gives out 500 scholarships each academic year across all DeCA locations, and each facility has at least one scholarship recipient where qualified applications are received.
The application process is completed online and students are evaluated on their academic achievement, participation in school, community and volunteer activities, work experience and essay.
This year, Fort Hood — formerly Fort Cavazos — had a total of 10 winners, with the Clear Creek Commissary having four recipients and the Warrior Way Commissary having six recipients:
Clear Creek:
Ariel S. Head
Amelia L. Miller
Emily I. Morales
Jordan S. Segelken
Warrior Way:
Jasmine R. Clark
Madison Jackson
John Z. Moehlenbrock
Jace N. Ramos
Alyssa A. Tran
Courtney E. Zorich
WINNING ESSAY
Jackson, an incoming sophomore at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, explained what her essay was about.
“I wrote on the summer camp that I worked at, Beloved and Beyond,” she said. “It’s a summer camp for kids and adults with special needs.
“I’ve been staffing there for the past two years, and that’s really special just because it’s a really awesome place that you are able to provide an awesome week during the summer where kids and girls can come together, just know they’re loved … and find a place where you’re able to be accepted no matter what your abilities are. And I really love that.”
Jackson is pursuing an architectural degree, which she says will take her six to seven years to complete including the degree level and licensures that are needed, “which is a lot of time and tuition,” she said. “So, this scholarship definitely helps make that a lot more attainable for me, and I really, really appreciate it.”
SUPPORT
Candace Williams, business manager for the Fort Hood Fisher House, said supporting the scholarships keeps the foundation participating in the military community.
“It really helps that we’re able to just partner with the community and different things like this and bring awareness for what the House has done for military members,” she said. “We appreciate that.”
TEAMWORK
The Fisher House website notes “commissaries are an integral part of the quality of life offered to service members and their families.
“The Scholarships for Military Children Program was created in recognition of the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community.”
MORE INFORMATION
Fisher House Scholarships for Military Children Program applications will open in December for the 2026-2027 school year.
For more information, visit fisherhouse.org/programs/scholarship-programs/scholarships-for-military-children/faq.
Source: Fort Hood, Texas, Public Affairs via DVIDS
Edited by Larry Lapka
