STARBASE Louisiana announces 2012 Scholarship winner Published April 25, 2012 By Master Sgt. Jeff Walston 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs Barksdale AFB, La. -- The 2012 STARBASE Louisiana Inc. Scholarship winner is Grace E. White. White will graduate from Southwood High School this year and will attend Jackson State University in the fall, majoring in biology. "I'm honored to be a recipient of this prestigious award," said White. "This award will help me in reaching my educational goals." White submitted an essay to win the scholarship. That essay will now be forwarded by STARBASE Louisiana Inc., to the Office of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs for possible publication in the STARBASE national report. A former Keithville Elementary student, White attended STARBASE as a 5th grader in 2005. "We were very pleased Grace was this year's recipient," said Laurie Ilgenfritz, the deputy director/instructor for STARBASE Louisiana. "Her application demonstrated a commitment to education, her school, and her community. She applied the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills gained at STARBASE very successfully." White is continuing to use the STEM education learned at STARBASE Louisiana. "That program inspired me to continue my STEM education and enroll in the Biotechnology Magnet Program in High School," White said. "It is our responsibility to gain higher level skills and knowledge to support our nation in gaining the competitive edge in a global society. These skills will aid our citizens in becoming intelligent and imaginative critical thinkers who can contribute innovative ideas to solve our most difficult challenges." Grace is ranked first in her class in overall GPA. "Grace is certainly a credit to STARBASE Louisiana, her school, and her family, "said Ilgenfritz. "We wish her all the best in her future endeavors." In addition to the STARBASE scholarship, White is one of only 10 students in the nation to receive a $20,000 Coca-Cola scholarship.