Cumming chapter 1030 of the Vietnam Veterans of America announces its fifth annual college scholarship program for graduating seniors of Forsyth County High Schools.

The scholarships are open to every senior who has a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent who served in the United States Armed Forces, according to Chapter President Gary Goyette. Each scholarship is presented in honor of the memory of a service member killed in action in Vietnam.

Goyette said the chapter will award five scholarships this year. Four will be available to public and private high school students and the fifth is open only to graduating seniors of the North Forsyth High School JROTC, which is the only JROTC program in the county. 

“This will direct one of our scholarships to the students who participate in JROTC, many of whom are contemplating military service in the future,” Goyette said.

The 2020 scholarship award amount will be $1,500 for each student, the highest amount VVA Chapter 1030 has awarded in the five years it has offered the scholarship program. Applications will be going out to guidance counselors in the next few weeks.

In addition to scholastic excellence, community and school activities, applicants will be judged on the quality of an original 500-word essay titled “Why Freedom isn’t Free.”

Applications will be available from guidance counselors or by contacting Marty Farrell at (770) 500-7234 or by email at martysyracuse@yahoo.com.

The application deadline is April 15, 2020 with the scholarships awarded around May of 2020 to coincide with high school graduations.