Mustang Scholars Foundation

Current Scholars

The objective of the Mustang Scholars program is to identify young men of character, intelligence and promise from our underprivileged community, and endow them with a strong educational platform and character-molding experience which will provide a springboard to their future.

Scholar candidates were identified by the VFMAC Admissions and ROTC departments, and selected by the Mustang Scholars Foundation Executive Committee in conjunction with representatives from VFMAC. The criterion for the scholarships is based on character, potential and financial need.

2011 Scholars

	Abraham Aldus Although Abraham was born in New Britain, Connecticut, he spent most of his formative years shuttling from one school to another. Prior to his arrival at VFMAC he attended four different high schools, all of which were located in Maine and Tennessee. Abraham played varsity football each of his four years in high school (despite the multiple locations). Shortly after his graduation from Portland High School in Maine, he joined other cadets in the Early Commissioning Program in Fort Knox, KY, for the Leadership Training Course. Upon successful completion Abraham joined VFMAC with the assistance of the Mustang Scholars Foundation. Abraham hopes that his time at Valley Forge will bring him excellence and success in both his personal and professional life. He will graduate from VFMA in 2011 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserves.
	Raiza Deyto Raiza was born and raised in the San Jose, California area. She was a high school athlete that participated in extra-curricular activities including track and field, wrestling and being secretary of her school’s Leo Club, but most of her time was dedicated to the Physical Training team in her NJROTC unit and its drill teams. A 2009 graduate of Milpitas High School, Raiza took off a year to work before entertaining the idea of applying for a Mustang Scholarship to attend VFMAC. Raiza’s father inspired her to apply to be part of the program, and Raiza herself saw the opportunity to attend VFMAC as honorable wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to return home a hero. Raiza participated in the Leadership Training Course in Ft. Knox, KY in the summer of 2010 and is on track to receive her commission as a 2nd Lt in the Army in the spring of 2012. Upon graduation Raiza hopes to pursue a career in the field of biology and nutrition.
	Rafeek Fredrick Upon graduation from Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Florida, Rafeek came to VFMAC on a scholarship provided by the Mustang Scholars Foundation. A basketball player in high school, Rafeek was interested in becoming a cadet at VFMAC via the Mustang Scholars program because he wanted to develop his leadership skills and because he knew, as a cadet, he would find himself in a great learning environment…one filled with endless opportunities. Rafeek will graduate from VFMAC in 2012, at which time he would like to attend a four-year college or university to further his education in computer science. Rafeek feels honored and privileged to be a Mustang Scholar.
	Avalon Hendricks Avalon hails from Brentwood, California, where she attended Heritage High School and maintained honor roll status for all four years. During her high school days Avalon regularly volunteered by helping the homeless and others in need. Avalon came to VFMAC through the support of the Mustang Scholars Foundation, and was chosen to be part of the program because of her desire to take on new and exciting challenges and to gain more self discipline. Proud and honored to be part of the core of VFMAC cadets, Avalon is scheduled to graduate in May of 2012 and hopes to be a Staff Sergeant in G Company at Valley Forge. After graduation, Avalon plans to transfer to a four year college and major in Criminal Justice and minor in Communications. She looks forward to one day getting accepted into a Police Academy back home in California, where she hopes to pursue in a career that will not only benefit her, but will also benefit her community. Looking ahead, Avalon looks forward to helping out other students that have big dreams and are willing to work extremely hard.
	Julian Makara Julian was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in a northeast section of the city known as Highland Park. Prior to attending VFMAC Julian was involved with a number of non-profit organizations and community groups that allowed him to support the area and the people that surrounded him during his childhood. During his senior year at Benjamin Franklin High School, Julian was elected ASB President and he also served as a Co-Chair for an organization called LAPD’s Teen Community Advisory Board (Teen-CPAB). This group organized a large number of events for Julian’s community and surrounding communities. One of the most significant events that Julian helped to implement was a yearly charity drive that provided Christmas gifts to families from a local elementary school. The gifts were needed because the FBI and LAPD had arrested so many local gang members from the area that many children were left with no one to provide for them. While in high school, in an attempt to avoid the gang related violence that surrounded him, Julian was also involved in the LAFD’s Explorer program, Chicano Youth Leadership Council, Young Senators Program and a number of other non-profit organizations. As a result of the Mustang Scholars Foundation support, Julian was able to attend VFMAC, and will ultimately be positioned to pursue his dream of gaining acceptance to one of the service academies or a respectable four year university. Julian is scheduled to graduate in December 2011 and after graduation hopes to obtain a Bachelors degree in Political Science and a Law Degree.
	Brigette Miller Brigette was able to continue her education at Valley Forge Military College with financial assistance from the Mustang Scholars Foundation. Hailing from Richmond, New Hampshire, as a young girl Brigette was very involved with her church youth group, school track and field team, cross country team, the NRA Rifle Team and the National Honor Society. During her tenure at VFMAC Brigette has taken advantage of a multitude of opportunities afforded to her including being selected Captain of the very first female VFMAC volleyball team and traveling to the United Kingdom as a member of the 120 voice Regimental Choir that took part in the 2011 New Years Day celebration. Upon graduation, in the summer of 2011, Brigette will be receiving the Valley Forge English Award. Brigette was invited to participate in Leadership Details at VFMAC and as such is the only female chain of command in the G Company with the rank of Ssg in the 83rd Corps of Cadets. She has recently been promoted to Captain of the S-One in her ROTC (ECP) program and will graduate as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserves. Upon graduation in May, Brigette plans to continue her education and receive a degree in the medical field.
	Khareif Williams Khareif D.Williams came to VFMAC via the Mustang Scholar program from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Khareif is currently a freshman at VFMAC studying business. Through determination and hard work, Khareif hopes to finish up his Bachelor’s Degree at American University, where he plans to double major in Public Relations, and Psychology with a minor in Political Science. Always one to be looking ahead, Khareif began to set his future career goals in motion when he was working his way through high school. Internships and mentorships with the likes of Citizen Bank CEO and President Mr. Dan Fitzpatrick, Special Agent Jerri Williams (no relation) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Major General Harold L. Mitchell of USAFTRANSCOM D9, uniquely positioned Khareif for opportunities to pursue his dreams. Khareif credits his mentor relationship with Major General Mitchell for his good fortune to be at VFMAC and for being a Mustang Scholar. Khareif met Major General Mitchell at a Tuskegee Airmen event in Philadelphia. As a result of that meeting Khareif was afforded the opportunity to meet, and ultimately to visit at the Pentagon, with Major General McDew. It was during this visit that Khareif was able to get an “insiders” view of the USAF Public Affairs department. This experience helped Khareif understand what it would take to become a successful flag officer in the Military. Khareif’s ultimate goal is to become a successful military lawyer, and ultimately a JAG for the U.S. Air Force.