Mustang Scholars Foundation

Daniel Merritt: VFMC Class of 2005

Leading by Example, Serving with Pride
Some people were born to lead. But some were meant to go just a little further and a little faster. Take Daniel Merritt. The native of Stamford, Connecticut always wanted to do something extraordinary with his life, so he joined the US Army as a way to serve his country while making his dream come true. Daniel felt privileged to be part of America's military, but he knew he could do more, and longed to attend military school to advance his goal of becoming an officer. Thanks to the Mustang Scholars Foundation, he found the means to attend Valley Forge Military College in Pennsylvania. An education at Valley Forge opened doors. As a member of the ROTC Early Commissioning Program at Valley Forge Daniel received a Commission in the United States Army reserve at the end of his two years. He went on with the financial support of the Connecticut National Guard to earn a Bachelors degree from the University of Connecticut. This experience gave Daniel the confidence and skills he needed to make a real difference in the world. He not only served proudly in Iraq; he started Operation Soccer Ball, a program that provides Iraqi children with soccer equipment, thereby building friendship and trust. His program is making life better for these children, just as the Mustang Scholars Foundation made life more fulfilling for him. Today, Daniel Merritt is still on active duty and lives in New York and works as Captain of the Military Police. He continues to lead, he continues to serve, he continues to inspire.

Joel Canfield: VFMC Class of 2006

Investing in America by Investing in Those Who Served
For Joel Canfield, it's not enough to support our troops while theyÕre overseas; you've got to give them the respect and honor they've earned when they return from service, especially when they are disabled and in need of jobs. It's called 'giving back,' and to Joel, those words have special resonance. Because Joel, now a successful businessman and philanthropist, didn't always have it easy. As a young man, he was able to attend Valley Forge Military Academy & College through a scholarship from the Mustang Scholars Foundation. Part of his Mustang contract was that at some point in the future Joel would give back to his community when he had the chance. His two years at Valley Forge enabled Joel to become a commissioned officer in the US Army Reserves. After finishing his studies with a Bachelor's Degree from Temple University Joel entered the Financial Industry. Witnessing the financial meltdown of 2008 he saw the need to bring the Code of Honor and Integrity in to his new world. He coupled that vision with the need for wounded war veterans to be trained for jobs outside the military so he helped create the Wall Street Warfighters Foundation, an organization that trains and certifies disabled veterans to work in the financial industry. So far, more than 35 disabled American veterans have been hired for permanent jobs in the field. The Mustang Scholars Foundation made a good investment in Joel Canfield. And now, he's investing in America's talented veterans.

Steven Antonello

Steve joins the Mustang Scholars program from New Brunswick, New Jersey. His charismatic personality and commitment to excellence have led him to many accomplishments throughout his academic career. While here at Valley Forge he has held numerous leadership positions and received many well deserved awards. He is a member of the Anthony Wayne Legion Guard Honor Society as well as a Valley Forge Ambassador. He is currently the captain of the Varsity Rifle team and holds the position of Captain, Regimental Training Officer. Steve can be easily identified as a true Mustang through his recognizable leadership and academic qualities.

Corey Ferrell

Corey comes to us from Wilmington, Deleware. He previously attended Delaware Military Academy. Corey is outgoing, charismatic, and is an overall great leader. He participates in various athletics, including weight lifting and football. He has come to Valley Forge to further his education at a military college in order to become a great student athlete and core cadet leader. We are proud to welcome Corey to the Mustang family.

Jason Cooper

Joining us from The Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock Virginia, Jason is a great new addition to the Mustang family. As a “Sons of the American Revolution” recipient, Jason brings valuable leadership qualities to Valley Forge, where he hopes to learn how to “excel in the military, academically, as well as in the real world”. In his free time Jason enjoys football, basketball, and also rugby. After joining the military he hopes to become a teacher. We are proud to welcome Jason to the Mustang Scholars program.

Simoni Lawrence

Simoni comes to us from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. He is currently a 2nd Lieutenant Cadet. He is a very accomplished athlete who has truly made a name for himself here at Valley Forge. He has demonstrated his leadership skills on the football team and has received the award for Conference Player of the Year. On the academic side, Simoni has show great dedication to his studies and commitment to furthering his education. He has been offered multiple scholarships and plans to decide on his school of choice in the near future.

Clement A. Johnson

Clement comes to us from Carlisle Pennsylvania where he lived with his mother Gwendolyn Johnson. Clement is an accomplished athlete who distinguished himself on the state level and was fist team all star as a quarterback and defensive back in his conference. His demonstrated leadership skills led him to be voted team captain. In addition he was an all conference Lacrosse player. On the academic side Clement is proud of being named to the honor roll his senior year. Despite having an offer to play football at Temple, Clement chose Valley Forge because he felt that he needed to develop more academic discipline in order to prepare himself for life. During his interview the Mustang Board was impressed by the commitment to education demonstrated by his entire family. With the dedication to academics and continuing development of his athletic talent Clement believes that the Valley Forge experience will open a door for him at a major university to continue to excel in both areas. His goal is to play professional football like many of the Valley Forge graduates before him.

Nigel Rose

Nigel comes to us from Kingston, Jamaica where he attended Jamaica College. The Mustangs are proud to welcome this overall high academic achiever.He was the manager and organizer of his own summer camp called Camp Success in Jamaica. He enjoys playing tennis and swimming. After graduation, he would like to train to become an airline pilot and fly for a major airline.

Tenika Edge

The first young woman to become a Mustang, Tenika comes to us from Leavenworth, Kansas. She has the enthusiastic support of her parents, Barry, Retired Military, and Harriet. We are proud to welcome this National Honor Society member and a Leavenworth High School student distinguished as a Who's Who among High School Students. Tenika was a four year participant in JR ROTC and received awards as Color Guard Commander and as Drill Team Honor Guard. Outside the school Tenika has an enviable record of community service that includes tutoring middle school students, working for the Salvation Army, and helping at Special Olympics and local nursing homes. Upon graduation in 2008 she will receive a commission in the Army National Guard and will continue towards a bachelors degree in Management.

Aaron W. Foote

Aaron is the first legacy Mustang. He came to us through the recommendation of his cousin Teo Espinal, Mustang ‘06. Aaron is from Haines City, Florida where he lived with his mother Maria R Collado. His academic accomplishments include; National Honor Society "Most Improved, English". He was in JR. ROTC and is a Leadership Academy graduate and recipient of the Military Officers Association Award. On the athletic front he was captain of the wrestling team and a member of the football team, the track team, the soccer team, the basketball team and the cheerleading squad. Strong moral character is what Aaron considers one of his main strengths because it allowed him to develop a good self image and to create a respectable first impression.As a member of the Early Commissioning Program at Valley Forge Aaron had to undergo basic training at Fort Knox this summer. He did exceedingly well and made all at Mustang proud of our selection. When Aaron graduates in the spring of 2008 he will be commissioned in the National Guard and will be able to continue his education at a University of his choice.

Markham Laird

Markham Laird comes to us from Montego Bay, Jamaica where he was first in his class at Cornwell College and was ranked Jamaica’s number two boys tennis player. He received advanced level passes on his General Cambridge Examinations in Caribbean Studies, Communications Studies, Physics and Technical Drawing. He was named the most outstanding tennis player, 2002-2004 in the boys 18 and under category, winning both the Mainland International and Guardian Life tournaments. Markham continues to excel in both academic and athletic arenas. He hopes to become a professional tennis player, or to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and pursue his other dream of becoming a civil or mechanical engineer.

Ahmed Ghuman

Ahmed was so confident that the Valley Forge experience was the best thing for him that he enrolled last year and paid the first semesters tuition without knowing how he was going to pay for the second semester. He approached Mustang once he was on campus and his energetic pursuit of our support won him a grant. We have been rewarded for our investment. He has a cumulative average of 3.6 and according to his football coach he is a role model for the team based on his quiet demeanor and tremendous work ethic. His leadership abilities are confirmed by his captaincy of the football team. Ahmed comes to us from Upper Darby where he was an outstanding scholar and athlete. After finishing at Valley Forge he intends to study medicine with the goal of becoming a physician.

Teofil Espinal

Teofil was born and raised in Corona, New York. He attended La Salle Military Academy, graduating in 2000. After graduation, he joined the Army and was stationed with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. He enlisted in the ECP (Early Commissioning Program) at Valley Forge in 2004. He was commissioned as an Officer in May 2006. Teofil is continuing his education, studying Business Management, so that upon retirement from the Army he can open his own business.

Lieutenant Espinal is attending Brooklyn College.

Jeffrey Seamans

Jeffrey comes to us from Lowell, MA where he attended Lowell Catholic High School. He was accepted into the ROTC Early Commissioning Program at Valley Forge and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant USAR upon graduation. Jeffrey’s academic achievements include Phi Theta Kappa and a Silver Star.

Lieutenant Seamans is attending Villanova University.

Joel Canfield

Joel Canfield hails from Overland Park, Kansas. Joel joined the National Guard during his junior year of high school and following his senior year, attended Advance Infantry Training where he was certified as a 19 Delta, Calvary Scout. Since coming to Valley Forge, Joel has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards: Valley Forge Silver Star Award, National Defense Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Ribbon and was in the top five percent of his class 2004-2005. He is also a member of the First City Troop, Philadelphia Calvary.

Lieutenant Canfield is attending Temple University.

William McCabe

William McCabe, originally from Pen Argyl, PA, was a student at Valley Forge from 2000-2006. During his academic career he was named Best New Cadet ’00 -’01, Best Old Man ’01 -‘02 and ’04 -’05, Best Squad Drill and Best Platoon Drill. William was a member of the Marine Corps Reserve for two years and in that time he had been awarded the National Defense Medal, the Marine Corps Forces Reserves Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. He looks forward to completing his education and his Marine Corps career and hopes to open a personal security company one day.

William is on active duty in the United States Marine Corps in Iraq.

Daniel Merritt

Daniel Meritt was born in Stamford, CT and lives in Orlando, FL. Dan was voted “Most Improved” in his senior year of high school and was recognized as the number one participant in his basic training regiment in the US Army where he enlisted after high school. Daniel spent three years on active duty, serving his country. He was accepted into the prestigious Early Commissioning Program at VFMAC. Daniel is now a 2nd Lieutenant USAR and a senior at the University of Connecticut.

Marcus Allen

Marcus Allen is from Fayetteville, NC and is an outstanding young man. He was accepted into the Early Commissioning Program and attended the Leaders Training Course at Fort Know, KY. In high school he was community-focused, being a Red Cross volunteer and a member of the JROTC for three years. Marcus was also one of the top recruited athletes in the state of North Carolina. He plans to follow in his father’s footstep with a career in the US Army. Marcus is continuing his education at the University of Albany and is a 2nd Lieutenant USAR.

Daniel Winter

Daniel Winter is from Baltimore, MD and ranked as one of the top three applicants to the Early Commissioning Program. He is an outstanding student, having taken advanced placement in physics, trigonometry, biology and chemistry and was the recipient of a Congressional nomination to West Point. He was selected as one of the top 400 student leaders in America’s high schools. Daniel has received his commission and is furthering his education at University of Maryland and is a 2nd Lieutenant USAR.

Chris Perren

Chris Perren was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. Determined to be the first black polo player in the US, Chris was featured in an HBO Real Sports program with Bryant Gumbel along with the VFMAC Polo Team. He is currently majoring in Criminal Justice and has a clear view of his future, wanting to be a positive role model for men in the black community. He is currently a senior, attending Texas Tech University.

Samee Aziz

Hailing from Berwyn, PA, Samee Aziz attended Conestoga High School. An excellent student and leader in the Islamic Community, Samee has been instrumental in creating a positive dialog between Islamic and Christian students and has founded and run summer youth camps. He wants to be a positive role model in the Islamic American Community, demonstrating that one can serve both his country and his religion without conflict. Samee plans to enter government service at the State Department after completing his education at Loyola University in Chicago where he is currently a senior.

Patrick McKiernan

Patrick McKiernan is a 23 year old senior at Villanova University, where he majors in the Political Science field. Patrick is currently very involved in activities at Villanova. This October he will be leading a group of 15 students to the Gulf Coast to assist in rebuilding efforts, a project he is continuing from last fall. He is the fundraising chairman for the Disaster Awareness and Advocacy group at Villanova, a group whose goal is to raise funds and create awareness for the world’s disasters. He is also a Resident Assistant at Villanova’s satellite resident hall located at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr. In addition to his many scholarly activities, Patrick holds two part time jobs. His interests include rowing, sailing, reading, and spending time with his friends. He is a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy Class of 2003 and College Class of 2005 where he also held the position of Regimental Commander of the 77th Corps of Cadets.

Damien Bethea

Damien Bethea has the distinction of being the first Mustang Scholar to complete the program. From Seattle, Washington, Damien attended Eastside Catholic High School in Bellevue. He was captain of both the track and football teams and was recognized for his academic and student leadership. Damien comes from an urban environment and has used sports to help keep him out of trouble and on the right path. At VFMAC he played football and basketball. He has been commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. Damien is now a 2nd Lieutenant USAR and a senior at Emory Riddle University.