MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- In a brief ceremony, the Yellow Footprints Detachment of the Marine Corps League awarded its first ever scholarship to a local high school senior at the Four Winds Club Aug. 10.
During their monthly meeting, the detachment welcomed Heather Baxter, a senior at Beaufort High School, and presented her with a $500 scholarship to put toward furthering her education.
According to Master Gunnery Sgt. Donald Garland, commandant of the Yellow Footprints Detachment, several other students applied for the scholarship, but a committee within the detachment voted on Heather, whom they felt was the most qualified.
To meet eligibility requirements for the scholarship, each student had to write an essay on why they felt they should receive the scholarship and had to maintain a 3.0 or higher grade-point average throughout the school year, which Heather had no problem accomplishing.
"I didn't know this was the first scholarship they've awarded and I really feel honored to receive it," said Heather.
Her mother and father, who were also in attendance, were proud of their daughter's accomplishment and were pleased with the scholarship from the Yellow Footprints Detachment.
"We really appreciate this group going above and beyond to help people out," said Karla Baxter, Heather's mother. "It's great to have a group of Marines like this in the community that support the dependents. They really go the extra mile."
Gunnery Sgt. Bob Baxter, Electric Shop Staff NCO in charge, VMFA-122, MCAS Beaufort, was also very appreciative of what the detachment did for his daughter.
"It's Marines taking care of Marines," he said.
Most of funds for this year's scholarship came from the 2004 MCAS Beaufort Air Show, where the Yellow Footprints Detachment worked a concession stand for the weekend. Though they were only able to raise enough money for one scholarship this year, they have big plans for next year.
"Next year, our goal is to be able to provide one senior from each of the five area high schools with a scholarship," said Garland. "We have already raised over $700 dollars and have several upcoming fundraisers to help us reach our goal."
They will be putting on a golf tournament in the near future and will also be hosting the Marine Corps League Convention this year, where all of the detachments located in South Carolina will converge on Beaufort for their annual get-together.
"The scholarship portion of our program was one of the principal mission statements we initiated in January," said Garland. "In less than six months, we have been able to raise enough money to form a scholarship and I think that really says something about the motivation and determination of the members of this detachment."