Four seniors awarded scholarships from PFC Matthew J. England Memorial fund

Four Ozark County graduating seniors have been awarded scholarships this year from the PFC Matthew J. England Memorial Scholarship fund.

Cassy Jean Doebler, Gainesville High School,  received $1,000. Cassy was salutatorian of her class and plans on becoming a pharmacist.  She is entering the pre-pharmacy program at Missouri State University in the fall. Cassy is the daughter of Tammy and Nelson Doebler.

Mariah Rae Burnett, Bakersfield High School, received $500. Mariah is attending University of Missouri at Columbia in the fall where she plans on majoring in nursing and hopes to become a nurse practioner. She is the daughter of Kim Burnett.

Jordan Elec Kuk, Bakersfield High School, is receiving $100. He is attending Missouri State University-West Plains, where he will major in maintenance technology with hopes of becoming a machinist. He is the son of Kevin Kuk.

Tori Broyles, Lutie High School, is also receiving is $100. She is attending Missouri State University - West Plains, where she plans on earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic arts. She is the daughter of Melissa Cockrum of Theodosia.

PFC Matthew England lost his life at the age of 22 when an insurgent’s homemade bomb blew up his Army vehicle on June 8, 2011, while he was serving in Iraq. His mother, Pamela Hengen, established the scholarship in his honor. Each November, on the Saturday before Veterans’ Day, runners and walkers gather on the Gainesville square to run a 5K in Matthew’s memory. “Matthew loved to run,” Pamela said. “So it’s a perfect way for us to remember his sacrifice.”

Proceeds from the 5K go to the scholarship fund. To read more about Matthew, or to register for the race, go to http://matthewjenglandmemorial.weebly.com.

Ozark County Times

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