Scholarship Recipients

This is only a glimpse of each of our Scholarship Recipients. Our goal for this page will include updated information and photos of each Recipient so that our donors will also have the opportunity to watch the children grow with us. 

 

The Willis Foundation recognizes the sacrifice of these children and reminds them and the world that their parent did not die in vain, but in defense of freedom, honor, and the greatest country on earth.

 

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Adler and his parents

2015 Scholarship Recipient – Adler Smith

 

Adler Smith, the son of Staff Sergeant Christopher Smith who was originally from Holland, Michigan, was selected as the 2015 Willis Foundation Scholarship Recipient. Adler will receive a college scholarship intended to cover the entire unmet need of his college tuition and expenses.

During his second tour in Iraq on Christmas Eve 2008, SSgt. Smith and his squadron were traveling over a bridge in Baghdad when an IED exploded, collapsing a portion of the bridge and sending their Humvee into the canal below. SSgt. Smith’s fellow soldiers disobeyed orders and refused to leave the water until he was out. Five men in Smith’s squadron had to be treated for hypothermia in their unsuccessful attempt to save Smith’s life and the lives of two others.

SSgt. Christopher Smith left behind his fifteen month old son, Adler Smith.


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Chloe and Travis Mills

2014 Scholarship Recipient – Chloe Mills 

 

Chloe Mills, the daughter of Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of Vassar, Michigan, was selected as one of the 2014 Willis Foundation Scholarship Recipients. Chloe will receive a college scholarship intended to cover the entire unmet need of her college tuition and expenses.

Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne was critically injured on his third tour of Afghanistan in 2012. Travis was injured by an IED while on patrol, losing portions of both legs and both arms. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries.

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Zekiah Thrailkill and family

Travis now devotes his time to the Travis Mills Foundation, a nonprofit organization that he formed in 2013 to benefit and assist wounded and injured veterans. During the year, Travis travels nationally where he speaks to companies and organizations, inspiring all to overcome life’s challenges and adversity. His motto is “Never give up. Never quit.”

2014 Scholarship Recipient – Zekiah Thrailkill

Zekiah Thrailkill, the son of Corporal Robert “Bobby” Lee Thrailkill, Jr., was also selected as one of the 2014 Willis Foundation Scholarship Recipients. Zekiah will receive a college scholarship intended to cover the entire unmet need of his college tuition and expenses.

Bobby Thrailkill, of the United States Marine Corps, was on his first deployment to Iraq in 2010 when he stepped on an IED during a foot patrol. He sustained serious injuries and at the age of 19, suffered the traumatic amputations of both legs above the knee. Bobby spent 25 months in recovery and physical therapy at Walter Reed Hospital.

He graduated from Pentwater High School and currently resides in Grand Haven, Michigan. Bobby is a member of the Grand Rapids Sled Wings, a hockey team for athletes with disabilities. In August of 2013, Bobby was named to the 2013-2014 U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team.


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The Schoonhoven Family

2013 Scholarship Recipient – The Schoonhoven Family

 

Staff Sergeant Mark H. Schoonhoven’s children and step-children, Nickolus Ramsey Schoonhoven, Anjelika Schoonhoven, Ava Schoonhoven, Sylvia Loffer, Forrest Loffer, and a child that was dependent on SSgt. Schoonhoven, Sheista Perry, were all selected as the 2013 Willis Foundation Scholarship Recipients. They will receive scholarships for college totaling at least $60,000 this year intended to cover the entire unmet need of their college tuition and expenses.

Staff Sergeant Schoonhoven, of Fort Carson, Colorado (formerly of Plainwell, Michigan), joined the Army in 2006, serving as a motor transport operator for the 32nd Transportation Company, 4th Infantry Division. His parents, Deb and Harry Schoonhoven, reside in Kalamazoo, MI.

Staff Sergeant Mark H. Schoonhoven passed away on January 20, 2013 as a result of injuries suffered in Kabul, Afghanistan, leaving behind his six children.


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Kairo Stevens

2012 Scholarship Recipient – Kairo P. Stevens

 

Kairo is the 6 month-old son of LCpl. Steven P. Stevens, II and Monique Stevens. LCpl. Stevens served with 1st CEB out of Camp Pendleton, California, and his home of record was Detroit, Michigan.

LCpl. Steven P. Stevens, II was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2012, leaving behind his son, Kairo.


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Skyler and Angel with their parents

2012 Scholarship Recipients - Skyler and Angel VanDreumel

 

Skyler and Angel VanDreumel were selected as the 2012 Willis Foundation Scholarship Recipients. Angel and Skyler are the children of Corporal Joseph and Sarah VanDreumel of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Corporal Joseph A. VanDreumel served with 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Corporal VanDreumel was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2011, leaving behind his daughter who was 11 and his son who was 9 at the time of his passing.


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Avery Matteoni

2011 Scholarship Recipient – Avery Matteoni

 

Avery Matteoni was selected as the 2011 Willis Foundation Scholarship Recipient.

Avery is the daughter of Sgt. Anthony and Lindsey Matteoni of Union City, Michigan. Sergeant Anthony Matteoni was a United States Marine who served with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines.

Sgt. Matteoni was serving in the Helmund Province of Afghanistan in 2010 when his wife, Lindsey, called to tell him that he was going to be a father of a little girl. The very next day he was killed in combat. Tony never got to meet his daughter, Avery, who was born in February of 2011.


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Elizabeth with her mother, Erin

2010 Scholarship Recipient -  Elizabeth Julian 

Elizabeth was selected as the 2010 Willis Foundation Scholarship Recipient. She is the daughter of SSgt. David and Erin Julian of Plainwell, Michigan.

SSgt. David D. Julian served with 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

Staff Sergeant Julian was killed in combat in Baghdad in 2008, leaving behind his daughter, Elizabeth.


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Amirah Goode

2009 Scholarship Recipient – Amirah Goode

Amirah was selected as the Willis Foundation's very first Scholarship Recipient in 2009. She is the daughter of Corporal Jordan and Aubrey Goode of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Corporal Goode was a Kalamazoo Central High School graduate and served with the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Corporal Goode was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2007, leaving behind his daughter, Amirah.