17TH ANNUAL DSF SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Congratulations to the 2023 winners!
We are happy to announce the winners of the 2023 DSF Scholarship award. Our DSF Scholarship Committee (consisting of four retired DS agents and one active agent) reviewed blind copies of applications (all identifying information about the student and the DS employee family member was hidden/removed). It was a difficult job to pare down the applicant pool as each student was outstanding in their own special 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 post secondary 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 future careers.
$2,500 Scholarship Winners:
Brandon Amdahl
Son of Dale R. Amdahl, DS/C/PSP/PCD/ Physical Security Specialist
Brandon will be attending Virginia Tech with plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering
Adam Boles
Son of Timothy Boles, DS Special Agent
Adam will be attending University of Texas at Austin with plans to pursue a degree in Economics
Kiera Counts
Daughter of Jonica B. Hogenson-Counts, SSA (Ret) & Roger D. Counts III, SSA (Ret)
Kiera will be attending Willamette University with plans to pursue a degree in BioPhysics and a career in Emergency Medicine
Keira Hansen
Daughter of Benjamin Hansen, Electronics Engineer
Keira will be attending Brigham Young University with plans to pursue a degree in Environmental Science
Susanna Miele-Bokelman
Daughter of Kala Bokelman, Supervisory Special Agent
Susanna will be attending Skidmore College with plans to pursue a degree in English or Education
Marina Perkins
Daughter of Mark Perkins, Acting Unit Chief/Driver Training Unit
Marina will be attending Virginia Tech with plans to pursue a degree in Biological Sciences
Emma Thurman
Daughter of Jared Thurman, Retired DS Special Agent
Emma will be attending East Tennessee State University with plans to pursue a degree in Bachelor of Science - Nursing (Physician Assistant)
Sydney Tsin
Daughter of Werner Tsin, DS Special Agent
Sydney will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology with plans to pursue a degree in Computer Science
$1,000 Scholarship Winners:
Kourtney Bounkong
Daughter of Khamprasong Bounkong, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Washington Field Office
Kourtney will be attending George Mason University with plans to pursue a degree in Bioengineering
Jason Davis
Son of Deirdre Davis, Senior Desk Officer -DS/IP/NEA-SCA
Jason will be attending Towson University with plans to pursue a degree in Economics
Luke Freeman
Son of John Freeman, Retired Supervisory Special Agent
Luke will be attending Virginia Tech with plans to pursue a degree in Computer Science
Caden Gallagher
Son of David Gallagher, DS Special Agent
Caden will be attending George Mason University with plans to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice
Olivia Wilson
Daughter of Rachel Wilson & Payton Wilson,
DS/T/FASTC, TPCs
Olivia will be attending George Mason University with plans to pursue a career in law
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 (2007-2022) 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.