BBC scholarship awarded at Cannon

link U.S. Air Force photo: Senior Airman Ericka Engblom

Justin Henderson, son of Chief Master Sgt. Paul Henderson, 27th Special Operations Wing command chief, accepts a certificate of congratulations from Dorothy Molina, Balfour Beatty Communities community manager. The BBC Foundation holds an annual scholarship contest every year for members of the military community.

College, it is that sacred realm of higher education that assists young adults in reaching for their dreams and discovering their futures. However, while filled with possibilities and an extremely helpful tool toward walking a productive career path, college is not a cheap experience. According to CNN money, the average cost of a semester at a state college is upwards of $20,000.

Knowing this, Balfour Beatty Communities Foundations has taken it upon itself to help the college-bound students of military communities around the world by holding an annual scholarship competition at any base where they hold a presence, such as here at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. BBC was proud to present a check for $2,500 to Justin Henderson, son of Chief Master Sgt. Paul Henderson, 27th Special Operations Wing command chief, July 11.

“I had to write an essay (to compete to win the scholarship) about my biggest improvement,” said Henderson. “I wrote about my health. I used to be really overweight and when I would try to make sports teams they always looked at me skeptically because I was out of shape, so I said I’m going to change my lifestyle.”

Henderson plans to attend the University of Texas in October, where he will study fitness and health. He said winning the scholarship will be a big help to him in his upcoming academic year and with achieving his dreams of helping others achieve the same victory he did two years ago.

“I want to help others experience what I did,” Henderson said. “I did this for myself and I went from sitting on the bench to being in the starting five on my team.”

The BBC scholarship was open to all high school seniors and undergraduate students who live in BBC military housing. Applicants must also be a child of an active duty service member.

“We are so thankful to be able to support the continuing education of our young residents through the Foundation Scholarship Program,” said Chris Williams, president of BBC Foundations. “I encourage all of our residents who are planning on, or are currently attending a post-secondary school, to apply for a Foundation scholarship in recognition of their hard work and achievements.”