SOA 2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients
The Len and Nancy Fein STEM Endowment Scholarship: Addesyn (Adde) Underwood is the daughter of LTC (R) Clint and Kim Underwood. Her father was a Navy SEAL who transitioned to serve in the 160th SOAR. The Special Operations community remains a strong influence on her and her family. She is grateful for the values of service, resilience, and humility that this environment passed on to her. Adde is a senior at Rossview High School in Clarksville, Tennessee. Adde has maintained a 4.0 GPA, taking several AP and Dual Enrollment classes, and will graduate with Highest Honors. Adde is involved in several extracurricular clubs, activities, and most of her school’s National Honor Societies. She participates in community programs, such as the Mayor’s Youth Council and Youth Leadership Clarksville. She has been a leader within her school as well, having been the Historian and Vice President of the Junior Classical League, one of the largest student-led organizations in her high school. Attending the Governor’s School for Science and Engineering solidified Adde’s decision to commit to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to study Civil Engineering. Ultimately, Adde desires to use her education to improve community infrastructure, helping to address government infrastructure and systems inadequacies in both rural and urban areas.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Aiko Owens: Receiving this $1,000 scholarship means so much to me, as it will directly support my education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where I’m pursuing my degree in marine biology. This scholarship will help cover the costs of textbooks, lab supplies, and other academic expenses, allowing me to focus more on my studies and less on financial stress. My ultimate goal is to earn my doctorate in marine biology, and this support is a crucial step toward making that dream a reality. With the strong marine science program at UNCW as my foundation, I plan to continue my education and research all the way to a Ph.D., where I hope to contribute to ocean conservation and sustainability.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Charli Preister: My name is Charli Preister, I recently graduated from Columbus High School in Columbus, NE. I will be attending Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. While at CUNE I will be part of the women’s soccer team and plan to major in exercise science with a goal of becoming an occupational therapist.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Anabella Shumaker: My name is Bella Shumaker, I just graduated from Leavenworth Senior high, and I will be starting as a freshman in the fall at Kansas State University. I plan to major in environmental science and to pursue a pre-veterinary track. As a military kid I’ve moved a total of eight times and attended nine different grade schools. I’ve always loved nature and hope to pursue an impactful career working with animals and conservation.
The Morton Scholarship: Chloe DeWitt: Hello! My name is Chloe DeWitt and for the majority of my life I lived in Stuttgart, Germany, where my dad worked as a Special Forces soldier. Growing up in Germany catalyzed my passion for linguistics and diverse cultures and mindsets, leading me to a future in these fields. I will be an incoming freshman at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte this fall, and I plan to double-major in Global Studies and Philosophy to pursue careers related to international relations in government.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Clair Abraham: Claire, a 2025 graduate of Montgomery Academy in Clarksville, Tennessee, is a driven scholar and community enthusiast who excelled in dual-enrollment college courses in criminal justice and psychology, laying a strong foundation for her academic journey. This fall, she will attend Belmont University in Nashville, pursuing a degree in political science and public relations, fueled by her passion for advocacy and communication. A talented athlete and incredible musician, she also dedicates herself to volunteer work and looks forward to joining sororities and clubs to enrich her college experience. Inspired by her family’s military service, Claire is deeply grateful for the SOA’s support, which will empower her to achieve her goals of making a meaningful impact through leadership and service.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Dominica Lopez Miller: My name is Dominica Lopez Miller, and I’m the daughter of two U.S. Army veterans, including a retired Special Forces NCO. I just graduated from Lennard High School in the top 3% of my class, and I’m excited to be heading to the University of Miami to study Chemical and Environmental Engineering with a minor in Robotics. Growing up in a military family taught me the importance of service and resilience, and that’s shaped the way I see the world and my goals for the future. I want to help develop sustainable technologies that make a real difference in communities facing environmental challenges. Being a Varsity Cross Country Captain and an active volunteer has also helped me grow as a leader, and I’m looking forward to using what I’ve learned to make a meaningful impact through science and engineering.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Elizabeth Zoe Kozlowski: Elizabeth Zoe Kozlowski grew up in a government family and has developed strong patriotic values for her country. She lived in five countries during her childhood including Colombia and Mexico. Both her grandparents and her father fought bravely for the Army and her mother was a part of the CIA. She loves all those who bravely fight for the freedom of everyone in the country and wishes to help the people of the United States just like her family has before her.
The Morton Scholarship: Emmett Creed Olson: My name is Emmett Creed Olson. I am 20 years old and am beginning my Junior year at Bard College on the Hudson river in beautiful upstate New York. I am currently focusing my studies within the Biology department on ecology and forest biology/management. I recently returned from a study abroad program in Costa Rica which allowed me to experience the life of a biologist first hand and complete an independent capstone project on tropical rainforest composition. My Grandfather, Donald Doyle Creed, who proudly served with the 281st Assault Helicopter Company is one of my biggest role models and he has been a powerful influence on all aspects of my life. He taught me how to drive and change a tire, but also how to look for ways to be of service to others, most importantly, he taught me the importance of honoring my family and my country. I am thankful for him and the influence he has had on my life. This scholarship is offered to me because of my Grandfathers service and that is my greatest honor.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Joseph Lock: Joseph Lock is a rising Senior at Virginia Tech studying Building Construction within the Department of Engineering. He is currently interning with a regional building construction firm and will transition to a full-time project manager upon completion of his degree next spring. The father of a two-year-old son, former All-American wrestler and All-State lacrosse player, Joseph’s attributes include discipline, maturity, and a strong work ethic . As a four-year recipient of the Special Operations Association Scholarship, Joseph would not have been able to earn his degree in four years without the support of the SOA. He serves as a model example of how the SOA enables dependents to earn a valuable degree and become productive members of society.
The Len and Nancy Fein STEM Endowment Scholarship: Katelin Lock: My name is Katie Lock, I’m 19 years old and from Fayetteville NC. I am currently attending school at Virginia Polytechnic University, where I am a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. I am majoring in Architecture and plan to commission into the United States Army as an
engineer Officer.
The William and 
Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Leo Stricker: Leo Stricker is a sophomore pre-medicine biochemistry student at the University of Colorado Boulder. Leo loves to play guitar, sing, read books, hike the flatiron mountains, woodwork, and watch movies with his family. Over this last summer, he worked as a high-end private residence landscaper and front-of-house patron service representative at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Bettering the wellbeing of others gives him great purpose and motivation to become a primary care physician, as he is passionate about preventative and rehabilitative care. Leo is inspired every day by his grandfather’s resiliency and service as a part of the SOA and is honored to receive this scholarship.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Loren Schowengerdt: Loren Schowengerdt is a senior Army ROTC cadet studying Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, originally from Leavenworth, Kansas. Loren previously led as Company Commander and will take on the role of Executive Officer in the coming academic year. She has competed in challenging events like Ranger Challenge and Ranger Buddies, building resilience, leadership, and teamwork along the way. Active in both campus life and community service, she maintains a 3.5 GPA while preparing to commission into the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant. She is deeply grateful for the continued support of the Special Operations Association and honored to be a multiyear scholarship recipient.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Michelle Kleman: My name is Michelle Kleman and I’m a nursing student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee before moving to the mountains in Boone, North Carolina. My favorite part of being a part of the special operations community is the connections I’ve been able to make. I spend part of my summers volunteering with The Station Foundation and it has been my favorite way to give back to this community and serve others. After I graduate, I hope to specialize in flight nursing and emergency care.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Nicholas Martin: My name is Nicholas Martin and I am from Jacksonville, Florida. I will be attending the University of South Florida Honors College as a chemical engineering major in the Fall. My family has had a connection to the army and special operations for all of my life. I am hoping to get into medical school after college and join the military to serve my country just as many in my family have before me.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Ryan Angle: My name is Ryan Angle, and I am a rising senior at the University of Southern California where I study Computer Science and Business Administration, and am a Presidential Scholar. I am particularly interested in the computer science domain, and I aspire to work as a software engineer when I graduate. I have experience interning at startups, in research laboratories, and I am currently a software engineering intern on a Machine Learning Engineering team at Amazon, a space which I am very excited about given the drastic increase in the prominence of Machine Learning applications in our daily lives. I’m also very fond of the business aspect of my degree. I am always excited to solve people problems in conjunction with technical ones, and I find that it’s very important to demonstrate solid leadership qualities especially in a field such as software engineering which does not necessarily foster consistent interaction. I have also been a teaching assistant for USC’s Discrete Mathematics course for the past year, which I have enjoyed thoroughly and found very rewarding. Outside of school, I spend a good amount of my time with soccer, whether that be waking up very early on weekends to watch or playing for USC’s club soccer team. Overall, I’ve just tried to spend my college years greatly enjoying the southern California sunshine in absolutely any way that I can.
The Len and Nancy Fein STEM Endowment Scholarship: Ryan Lock: Ryan Lock is a rising Senior at Virginia Tech and a member of the Army ROTC program and Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. He is also an E5 in the Virginia Army National Guard. I am currently pursuing a degree in Building Construction at Virginia Tech, with plans to commission as an Army Combat Engineer upon graduation. I have served for over 5 years as an Infantryman (11B) with the National Guard and continue to serve with the Army ROTC program at Virginia Tech, gaining valuable tactical and leadership experience for my future military career. I have a passion for STEM and seek to bring this drive into my future service. The Special Operations Association has been an incredibly important partner through this journey and has been an integral component of my ability to pay for school. I hope to honor this contribution with a full career in the Army.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Sophia White: My name is Sophia White, and I graduated Cum Laude from Hammond School in Columbia, SC, am an up and coming freshman at Appalachian State Honors College. I am from Fayetteville, NC, and my father is an active duty SF Officer currently stationed at Fort Bragg. My interest in problem solving and incessant need to help others has led me to pursue a career in Forensic Science, and I hope to one day write novels about my experience in the field. I am greatly honored to be a recipient of this year’s SOA Scholarship, and I intend to make the best out of this wonderful financial award.
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: John Porambo. John Porambo is a 2025 honors graduate of Centennial High School in Roswell, Georgia. This fall, he will begin his studies at Auburn University in Alabama, where he plans to pursue a degree in Building Sciences. In addition to his academic focus, John is enrolled in the U.S. Army ROTC program at Auburn with the goal of commissioning as a Combat Arms Officer upon graduation. A dedicated student-athlete, John was a Captain of the Football team and earned multiple varsity letters in both baseball and football during his high school career and he is also an avid outdoorsman.
The Morton Scholarship: Andelyn Underwood; My name is Andelyn Underwood, and I recently graduated from Rossview High School in Clarksville, Tennessee. This fall, I will be attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where I plan to major in Mechanical Engineering. Throughout high school, I was actively involved in my academics, honors societies, leadership extracurriculars, and volunteer organizations such as YaiPak Outreach, which helped me grow both academically and personally. I am passionate about mechanics, and I hope to use my education to make a positive impact. Receiving this scholarship will help me focus on my studies and pursue my goals without the burden of financial stress, and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity
The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Scholarship: Eugene Renzi: My name is Eugene Renzi. I was born September 21 2006 at Watertown Ny. I attended south Jefferson central school in second grade and recently graduated from there. In high school, I did cross country, swimming, and track and field. I was also a part of Students Against Destructive Decisions and the Adam’s Community Club. In the fall I’ll be attending Norwich University to major in International Studies. After that I hope to get a commission as an officer in the Army.