The Washington, D.C. Chapter of the National Naval Officers Association (DC NNOA) awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships during the 28th annual Ester Boone Memorial Scholarship Banquet held at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Community Center in Waldorf, Maryland, April 30. Each year since 1992 the DC NNOA has awarded over $250,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors from the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region. DC NNOA President, retired Capt. Thomas Abernethy, stressed the importance of higher education. "Education is the key to success," Abernethy said. "And there are people out there who are interested in in investing in [students'] future education. [To the scholarship recipients] make sure you tell your people back at your schools and community that there are a set of folks out here that are committed to investing in you and make sure that one; that as a student you're doing the best you can and taking it seriously and two; apply for the scholarships." Abernethy thanked the many donors who make these scholarships possible. "Year in and year out, despite the ups and downs of the economy, these people make a conscious choice to invest in education for promising college-bound students," said Abernethy. The association selected the winners of these scholarships based on academic achievement, positive community involvement, commitment, and financial need. Scholarship recipients will select their major and attend the college or university of their choice without any obligation to join or affiliate with the military, unless stipulated by the scholarship sponsor. Krishon Jones, a senior at Suitland High School in Maryland, one of the 34 awardees Saturday night, credited the mentorship he has received from JROTC since his freshman year and had words for his up and coming fellow JROTC cadets. "I would tell them to go out there and get [scholarships] don't wait for it to be given to you," said Jones, who serves as the JROTC cadet commanding officer and battalion commander at Suitland High School. "You have to go out there and pursue it. Get involved, don't sit back." Jones is scheduled to graduate this spring and is set to attend Hampton University in Virginia in the fall to major in computer engineering. He said he looks forward to joining the university's ROTC and his future serving in the Navy. DC NNOA's scholarship program has partnered with the Office of Naval Research in the past to award more than $20,000 in scholarships for graduating seniors going to college to major in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline. Founded in 1972, the NNOA is comprised of officers from the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. NNOA provides professional development and mentoring in an effort to recruit, promote, and retain minority officers in the sea services. It seeks to strengthen a diverse officer corps to enhance operational readiness in the sea services and has a long history of providing a positive image of the sea services in minority communities and educational institutions. For more information visit their website at www.dcnnoa.org.