AFA Announces 2026 Scholarship Recipients, Supporting Airmen, Guardians and Their Families

The Air & Space Forces Association proudly announces its 2026 class of scholarship recipients, awarding more than $117,000 to directly help Airmen, Guardians, and their Families to pursue higher education. The 2026 awards, made possible through the generosity of individual donors and partner organizations, support a wide range of personal development paths from undergraduate and graduate degrees to pilot training and professional certifications.

Olivia Delacruz is the Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Memorial Scholarship recipient. Delacruz, the daughter of a retired Air Force master sergeant, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology at Boise State University. She received a $5,000 annual scholarship, with a total possible renewable award of $20,000.

Jared Kuhn is the Vertol Systems Company, Inc. Destin Flight Works Pilot Training Scholarship recipient. Kuhn is an Air Force Reserve master sergeant who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of West Florida and received $10,000 toward pilot training courses, instructor fees, and aircraft rental, leading to a private pilot’s license.

Madelyn Robinson is the Col. Aaron Burgstein Memorial Scholarship recipient. Robinson, the daughter of a retired Marine Corps major, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in dance therapy at the University of Florida. She received a scholarship of $1,000.

The Capt. Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship awarded $3,000 to the following winners:

• Kayton Clinkscales, an Active-duty staff sergeant with the Air Force Special Operations Command, who is pursuing an MBA at the University of Arizona Global Campus. 

• Shannon Goss, an Active-duty second lieutenant at Air Force Materiel Command, who is pursuing a master’s degree in human resources and organizational development at the University of Louisville. 

• Kelsey McWhirt, an Active-duty first lieutenant with a Direct Reporting Unit, who is pursuing a master’s degree in human resource management at the University of Maryland Global Campus. 

• Stephen Yelbert, an Active-duty master sergeant at Air Force Materiel Command, who is pursuing an MBA at Troy University. 

Lexi Frederick is the Lt. Col. Romeo and Josephine Bass Ferretti Scholarship recipient. Frederick, the daughter of an Active-duty Air Force senior master sergeant, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh. She received a scholarship of $5,000.

The Mike & Gail Donley Spouse Scholarship awarded $2,500 to the following winners: 

• Emma Brownell, the spouse of an Active-duty Airman First Class at Air Force Global Strike Command, who is pursuing a master’s degree in elementary education at the University of Wyoming. 

• Elizabeth Devine, the spouse of an Air Force Reserve second lieutenant, who is pursuing a Master of Physician Assistant Practice at the University of Dayton. 

• Stefanie Galindo, the spouse of a Space Force lieutenant colonel at Space Systems Command, who is pursuing a Doctorate of Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California. 

• Jennifer Hardin, the spouse of an Air Force Reserve senior airman, who is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Gonzaga University. 

• Jooyeon Jung, the spouse of an Active-duty major at the Defense Health Agency, who is pursuing an associate degree in nursing at Northern Virginia Community College. 

• Emily Leonard, the spouse of an Active-duty Airman First Class at Air Combat Command, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology at Boise State University.

• Kyungmi Martinez, the spouse of an Active-duty major at Air Combat Command, who is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration and management science at Georgetown University. 

• Yameris Middleton, the spouse of an Air National Guard staff sergeant, who is pursuing a Master of Legal Studies at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. 

• Kaylyn Pearce, the spouse of an Active-duty senior airman at U.S. Air Forces in Europe, who is pursuing a master’s degree in environmental management at the University of Maryland Global Campus. 

• Megan Thomas, the spouse of an Active-duty senior airman at Air Mobility Command, who is pursuing a master’s degree in special education at Ball State University. 

• Hoan Thy Anh Tran, the spouse of a DAF civilian at Air Force Materiel Command, who is pursuing an associate degree in supply chain management at Sinclair Community College. 

• Kerian Trice-Purnell, the spouse of an Active-duty technical sergeant at Air Education and Training Command, who is pursuing a Master of Science in nursing-midwifery at Frontier Nursing University. 

• Nichole Vizvary, the spouse of a Space Force technical sergeant at Space Training and Readiness Command, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Pikes Peak State College. 

• Alicia Washington, the spouse of an Active-duty captain at Air Force Special Operations Command, who is pursuing an associate degree in interior design at Berkeley College. 

The Col. Loren J. and Mrs. Lawona R. Spencer Scholarship awarded $5,000 to the following winners: 

• Maeli Allison, an Active-duty lieutenant colonel at Air Education and Training Command, who is pursuing a Master of Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School. 

• Brenda Kraus, a DAF civilian, who is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Walden University. 

• Stephen Yelbert, an Active-duty master sergeant at Air Force Materiel Command, who is pursuing an MBA at Troy University. 

Andrew McNutt is the John C. and Blanche Lee Lindsay Memorial Scholarship recipient. McNutt, the son of an Air Force veteran captain, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He received a scholarship of $2,500.

The Delta Dental Grant awarded $2,000 to the following winners: 

• Elizabeth Devine, the spouse of an Air Force Reserve second lieutenant, who is pursuing a Master of Physician Assistant Practice at the University of Dayton. 

• Hannah Johns, the daughter of an Air Force lieutenant colonel, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Florida Atlantic University. 

• Scarlett Johnson, the daughter of an Air Force lieutenant colonel, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology and pre-dentistry at the University of San Diego. 

• Madelynn Nichols, the daughter of an Air Force major, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders at Fort Hays State University. 

• Kerian Trice-Purnell, the spouse of an Active-duty technical sergeant at Air Education and Training Command, who is pursuing a Master of Science in nursing-midwifery at Frontier Nursing University. 

Applications for next year’s scholarships will open December 1, 2026. Learn more about AFA’s scholarships and eligibility.

About AFA

The Air & Space Forces Association is an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 association dedicated to advocating for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, Airmen, Guardians, and their Families. Founded in 1946, AFA is the single largest entity of its kind focused on air and space power. With more than 350,000 members and 200 chapters spread around the world, our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air Force and Space Force as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect the enduring heritage of the Air Force and Space Force.