Cpl. Hunter Lopez Scholarship, other awards presented to local JROTC cadets
The Palm Springs Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America held its annual Awards Ceremony today at the Elks Lodge in Indio.
Herman and Alicia Lopez, the parents of fallen Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez, were present to award “The Cpl. Hunter Lopez Scholarship" in the amount of $2,500.
Several other awards and scholarships were presented to local JROTC cadets from Desert Hot Springs High School, Cathedral City High School, and La Quinta High School.
The annual awards are funded by John and Celeste Schleimer.
“We think it's important to reward students that commit to becoming a reserve officer training corps cadet and we think it's important that we support them in their future endeavors, particularly if they’re going on to college," according to John Schleimer, Palm Springs Chapter President for the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).
To learn more about MOAA and ways you can help contribute to their scholarship programs, click the link here.
Last year, News Channel 3 reported on the ceremony, which marked the first time the Lopez scholarship was awarded.
Lopez was one of 13 U.S. Servicemembers killed in a terrorist attack during evacuations at an Afghanistan airport in August 2021. Lopez, 22, was a Coachella Valley native who graduated from La Quinta High School in 2017.
If you would like to learn more about Hunter Lopez's story, watch our exclusive interview with his parents, Herman and Alicia Lopez.
A scholarship fund has now been established in Hunter's name for students at LQHS who pursue careers in public service.
To donate, visit: https://desert-sands-educational-foundation.snwbll.com/hunter-lopez-memorial-scholarship-fund
His family also created the "Hunter Lopez Memorial Foundation" to help those who protect and serve our nation.
The foundation has already sponsored two service dogs for active service members and sponsored several families to attend their children's graduation from Marine boot camp.
To donate visit: https://hunterlopezmemorialfoundation.org/
