It's that time of year again - your chance to make a difference! 2025 marks the twenty-fourth year of our Scholarship Program, and I am pleased to tell you that the program continues to be very strong, thanks to your consistent and active support. 2024 was another great year for our scholarship program. Bravo Zulu for your outstanding generosity. Over the past twenty-two years, your collective giving has yielded $160,000 in scholarships, helping some 73 students achieve their educational goals. Awards have been presented to some 26 NROTC midshipmen, eleven Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) Program Officer Candidates, 19 Marines in the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP), and 17 descendants of association members. In 2024, your generous giving enabled us to award 3 scholarships. If you have children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren in college make them aware of this financial opportunity and encourage them to apply. For more information on descendant scholarship eligibility, see the scholarship section of the Association's website (www.usslittlerock.org.)

It is a privilege and honor to serve with the other members of our scholarship committee. Last year we awarded three scholarships. One to an Officer Candidate Paul E. Krische, University of Idaho; an Officer Candidate Jordan D. Mayer, Arizona State University ; a descendant of a Little Rock sailor Joshua P. Kato attending Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. Please refer to the scholarship section of our website to find details on all our scholarship presentations.

Last year your giving was outstanding, your generosity allows our Scholarship Committee to continue making awards to deserving applicants each year. If you wish to make scholarship donations, make your checks out to the "USS Little Rock Association Scholarship Fund." If you wish to donate, please mail your check to: Bill Stowell - Treasurer 1 Elfin Place Middlebury, CT 06762. You may use the enclosed envelope to submit your donation. You can be confident that your donation will make a difference to some very deserving students. I offer this comment received in 2024:

The following is a thank you note from Josh Kato at Lipscomb University in Nashville. Grandson of Life Member John Oboilkovitz:

"Hey Don! I just wanted to let you know that my grandpa presented me with the scholarship yesterday! Me and my sister visited my grandparents at their house in Wisconsin, which is where the photos were taken. I've attached a couple of photos.

I wanted to say a huge thank you to you, Don, and to the committee, as well as the members of the Little Rock Association! It's an immense honor to have been awarded this scholarship, and it is a huge help to affording my education. Thank you all so much for your kindness and your service. You're all an inspiration!

Thanks so much! Let me know if there's anything more you need and always feel free to reach out if there's anything I can do for you all!"

The bottom line is your involvement is critical to our success. Invest now in our future generations. I thank each of you in advance for being a part of this very important outreach which provides vital financial support to our future Navy, Marine Corps leaders and Little Rock families. Please give generously!

Sincerely,

Donald H. Elliott
President

Click HERE for a printable copy of this letter