EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Countless hours of homework, extra-curricular activities and many nights spent filling out applications paid off for an Eielson student as she was awarded a Corvias Foundation scholarship of $50,000.
Ally Vahalik, daughter of Master Sgt. Jerome Vahalik IV, the 354th Force Support Squadron first sergeant, will attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks to pursue an undecided major. Ally and her father spent a lot of time filling out applications for scholarships to ensure Ally received support for college.
“I didn’t feel like my application was that great,” she recalled. “I’ve grown up taking honors and advanced placement classes and I’ve been surrounded by people who always strive to be the best. It’s been a competitive schooling environment and I didn’t feel I did enough extra-curricular activities.”
Ally believes what made her stand out amongst the other applicants were her personal statements, which including what role she played in her environment as a military child.
“I’ve always wanted to go to college, but never knew how I was going to pay for it,” Ally said. “That was always the most stressful thought, especially thinking about being in debt.”
Taking after her cousin, Ally applied for every scholarship and taking advantage of the money that was given for being a good student. She knows this scholarship will greatly enhance her future opportunities.
“I won’t be in debt,” she giggled. “I can learn and advance my education without having to worry about the repercussions and I will have a lot less stress.”
Jerome is proud of his daughter for her hard work in earning this scholarship.
“I feel there are too many people who believe things should be handed to them or that college isn’t attainable for everyone,” he said. “I don’t believe that; I believe it’s a level playing field based on your own merits that you have to work hard for, and I’m proud Ally was able to learn that through this process.”
Both agree that if you really want something in life, it’s reachable if you work hard for it.
“I don’t have to dumb down what I want to do because I don’t have to worry about where the money is coming from or burdening my family,” Ally stated. “I think the most important part of this process was seeing the fruits of my labor.”
Working extremely hard throughout school, while dealing with the aspects of being a military child, Ally mastered balancing a personal as well.
“Everybody in this country has an opportunity whether they realize it or not,” Jerome said. “If you want to be the CEO of a fortune 500 company, you can be. If you want to be a plumber, you can do that, too. Anything you want to do in your life is possible in the United States.”
Jerome believes Ally can do anything she wants in her life because of her hard work and that she will continue in that dedication during her years as a college student.
“I thought I had to stay here because it’s cheap to go to school here,” Ally said. “Now I can transfer if I want because I have more freedom and more opportunities. It all comes down to the generosity of the Corvias Foundation and the fact that I worked very hard.”
Both Ally and Jerome would like to thank the Corvias Foundation for making this entire journey possible.