2023-24 SOA Scholarship Awardees
If last year’s SOA scholarship competition was stiff, THIS year’s competition was almost exponentially stiffer. There were 33 applications that were “close enough” to completion to be considered for evaluation. Despite the dire “no-excuses, sudden-death, no-bargaining” warnings, there were several applications that were borderline, such that the decision was left up to the Evaluators whether to consider these not-quite-complete submissions.
Last year, there were 24 applications, 14 SOA volunteer evaluators, and TEN scholarships awarded.
This year, there were 33 applications, 17 evaluators, but only sufficient funds to cover FOUR scholarships.
All applications were de-identified as much as possible in regards to names and SOA sponsors. All evaluators agreed that the decisions were difficult to make in such a well-qualified field, and ANY ONE of the candidates would have been well-qualified for the scholarship.
The SOA budget only allowed for four candidates to be funded this year (compared to ten from 2022-23). The finalists are listed alphabetically, below; pictures and bios below.
ANGLE, Ryan
My name is Ryan Angle, and I am from Alexandria, Virginia. I graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in May of 2022, and recently finished my freshman year at the University of Southern California, where I also play on the Men’s Soccer team. I am a joint major in Computer Science and Business Administration, with a particular passion for programming and the Computer Science aspect of my major as a whole. I want to pursue this passion as a career, and have already begun to gather experience with my current work position, as well as through competing in my university’s hacking competition, and through various projects in high school, including a year-long self-directed programming venture. In 10 years, it would be my dream to work doing backend development for a company which really encapsulates my hobbies, whether that be working with soccer organizations like the Premier League or with EA Sports on FIFA which I have played for a decade, with sneaker-centered entities like Nike, GOAT, or eBay, or with music and entertainment platforms like Spotify or YouTube. I’m really inspired by the notion of creating innovation to further my interests, and I would love for my career to follow a path of doing so through programming.
KROMPECHER, Anne M.
LOCK, Joseph
Joseph Lock is entering his sophomore year at Virginia Tech studying Building Construction in the Department of Engineering. He was selected for the President’s List after achieving a 4.0 GPA his first semester. He was also selected for membership into the National Society for Collegiate Scholars. A native of Fayetteville, NC, both of both of Joseph’s parents have served over thirty years in the US Army, the majority in the Special Operations community. A 2022 graduate of Jack Britt High School, Joseph was a two-time National High School Wrestling All-American and an All-State Lacrosse selectee his senior year. Joseph plans to graduate from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Construction followed by being commissioned into the United States Army as an Infantry Officer.
SCHOWENGERDT, Loren
Loren Schowengerdt is from Leavenworth, Kansas. She is currently a sophomore in college attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she is majoring in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences. She is very involved in ROTC, Salt Company, and volunteers regularly for various organizations. In ten years, she plans to become a Physical Therapist in the Army and hopes to help those who served our country.
