Airman receives “Dixie” Cupp scholarship

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Breonna Veal
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Goodfellow Top-3 association awarded Senior Airman Brandì Williams, 17th Comptroller Squadron Reports and Analysis technician, one of two $1,000 scholarships from the Lt. Col. Andy "Dixie" Cupp Scholarship Fund at the Norma Brown building Oct. 31.

Goodfellow's Top-3 Association teamed up with Michael Mitchell, honorary base command chief and local businessman, to create the Lt. Col. Andy "Dixie" Cupp Scholarship Fund.

Lt. Col. Cupp was a former 17th Training Group Deputy Commander, who was a strong advocate for education and believed Airman should always better themselves through education and training.

Like Cupp, Williams says she has similar beliefs when it comes to education.

"Education is important to me because my family hasn't really had someone who strived when it comes to education," said Williams. "I want to keep going to show my family how beneficial it could be."

For Williams, her desire to prosper in her education meant seeking out scholarships for assistance. Williams's search lead her to the Lt. Col Andy "Dixie" Cupp Scholarship Fund.

To receive the Lt. Col Andy "Dixie" Cupp Scholarship Fund, members must be on active duty, currently stationed at Goodfellow, enrolled in a degree program and have at least a 3.0 grade point average. Members must also submit a package including a biography, two letters of recommendation from their commanding office, first sergeant or senior enlisted, other administrative pieces and 500 word essay on the importance of education in your life.

In Williams's essay she talked about how her family drove her to keep moving forward in her education.

"As I was studying for a degree in counseling, I was taking care of my nephew, whose mother was deployed," said Williams. "I would tell him 'Hey, I'm in school and I'm doing well,' and that would motivate him to do well. So in a sense, we were pushing each other."

And her ambition began to spread to other members of her family.

"My dad went back to school this year and he said that I was a part of his motivation," said Williams. "That alone just made me want to do better."

Williams says that this scholarship has really aided in her education progression.

"I was really excited; it was really a blessing in disguise," said Williams. "I usually pay for one or two classes out of pocket, on top of tuition assistance, instead of using my GI Bill because I want to save that for later on, so this was a big help."

This scholarship fund was created to honor Cupp and support his belief that Airmen should always better themselves through education and training. For the Top-3 and Michael Mitchell, Senior Airman Williams has definitely surpassed Lt. Col. Cupp's standards.