16TH ANNUAL DSF SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Congratulations to the 2022 winners!


We are happy to announce the winners of the 2022 DSF Scholarship award. Blind copies of the applications (all identifying information was hidden/removed) were reviewed by the DSF Scholarship Committee (consisting of three retired DS agents and two active agents). It was a difficult job to pare down the applicant pool as each student was outstanding in their own way. Thirteen students were selected this year, to receive scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. These funds are to be used for their college education. All of the applicants who applied had impressive academic and extra-curricular credentials and are to be commended for their achievements. We wish all who applied for the scholarship the very best in their college careers.

$2,500 Scholarship Winners:

Matteo Betancourt

Matteo Joaquin Betancourt
Son of Leslie K. Esterrich, IT Program Manager (DS/EX/CTO)
Matteo will be attending Johns Hopkins University with plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering

Samuel D. Bills
Son of Rebecca Bills, Special Investigator
Sam will be attending Brigham Young University with plans to pursue a degree in science/engineering

Sam Bills

Merrill Doherty

Merrill MB Doherty
Daughter of May Doherty, Foreign Service Specialist/Diplomatic Courier
Merrill will be attending Bates College with plans to pursue a career in international affairs and government service

Madison A. Mosely
Daughter of Vaughn Mosely, Supervisory Special Agent
Madison will be attending University of Virginia with plans to pursue a degree in neuroscience/psychiatrist

Maddie Mosely

Dylan Scanlon

Dylan S. Scanlon
Son of Thomas Scanlon, Retired DS, Current PSC
Dylan will be attending Virginia Tech with plans to pursue a degree in engineering

Isaac Shawn Stewart
Son of Shawn Stewart, DS liaison to the US Marshalls Service
Isaac will be attending University of Alabama in Huntsville with plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering

Issac Stewart

Jayliana Twardecki

Jayliana Twardecki
Daughter of Pawel Twardecki, ARSO, Nogales, Mexico
Jayliana will be attending Brigham Young University - Idaho with plans to pursue a degree in forensic sciences

Samuel L. Twardecki
Son of Pawel Twardecki, ARSO, Nogales, Mexico
Samuel will be attending Yavapai College with plans to pursue a degree in Fire Science for a career in fire service

Samuel Twardecki

$1,000 Scholarship Winners

Giavanna Alimenti

Giavanna R Alimenti
Daughter of Michael Alimenti, DS Supervisory Special Agent
Giavanna will be attending North Carolina State University with plans to pursue a degree in criminology

Brendan R Caruso
Son of Kent G. Miller, Supervisory Special Agent
Brendan will be attending California State University Northridge with plans to pursue a degree in Political Science

Brendan Caruso

Ruby Chadwick
Daughter of Matthew Chadwick, Security Engineering Officer
Ruby will be attending Stanford University with plans to pursue a degree in human biology

Kelly Marie McCarthy
Daughter of David McCarthy, Special Agent
Kelly will be attending Franciscan University of Steubenville with plans to pursue a degree in biology

Ashley B. Zartman
Daughter of Brian Zartman, Special Agent
Ashley will be attending The University of South Florida with plans to pursue a degree in Marketing

About the DSF Scholarship

The Diplomatic Security Foundation (DSF) awards an annual college scholarship to a high school senior planning on attending any institute of "higher" learning (at the university, community or vocational level). Depending on funds available, at least one award is made per year. DSF scholarships are available to students related to a Diplomatic Security employee who is either an active, retired, former or deceased employee, or a DS contractor, AND the employee/contractor must have/had three or more years of consecutive service with DS. The student may be a child, step-child, grandchild, step-grandchild or a ward of the DS employee/contractor. Eligibility criteria is listed in the application.

  • A list of previous scholarship winners (2007-2021) can be found here: Scholarship Awards

  • Looking for other scholarships? Be sure to visit our Outside Scholarships page for a list of scholarship opportunities outside of DSF. Check out Reviews.com for up-to-date info on how to find outside scholarships.