Vietnam veterans award four scholarships

VERNON — Four area high school students were each awarded the Patriot Scholarship by the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Wallkill Valley Chapter #1002, on Sunday afternoon at Saint Francis De Sales Catholic Church. in Vernon.
President of the VVA John Harrigan, along with VVA fundraisers, husband-and-wife Jack and Sharon Ratzer presented each award recipient with their reward along with a framed certificate.
“Every year, for the past couple of years, the Vietnam Veterans of America (#1002) give away four, $1,000 scholarships to area seniors,” Harrigan said.
The VVA Patriot Scholarship is open to all Sussex County Seniors who apply. This year, two students from High Point School District, as well as one student from Vernon and one from Sparta were chosen.
The funds for the Patriot Scholarship are raised by various events held throughout the year, including a can-shake, and by selling raffle tickets.
“It’s a lot of hard work,” Jack Ratzer was instructed to say by his wife, “but it’s very rewarding to give back to the kids.”
According to VVA chairperson Richard Predmore, more than 70 applications for the scholarship were received.
First to receive their award was High Point Senior Christopher Delima, who is going to George Washington University, in Washington D.C. to study chemical engineering.
“I would like to thank the veterans for their commitment to the community,” Delima said, “and for helping me pursue my education.”
Fellow High Point Senior Corrine Simmons received her award next. Simmons plans on studying graphic design at Susquehanna University.
Ryan Francis Weber, from Vernon High School also received a scholarship from the VVA. Weber will be attending Rider University to study Biology and Secondary Education.
Weber made sure to thank the members of the VVA for their service.
And finally Sparta Senior Michaela Anna Kayal thanked all the Veterans as she received her scholarship.
Kayal is attending Iona college in the fall to study marketing.