AUSTIN - The office of Senator Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) is now accepting applications for the 2021-22 Texas Armed Services Scholarship.

"This award provides a unique opportunity for local students to earn financial support as they pursue their goals in higher education and military service," said Sen. Hancock, Chairman of the Texas Senate's Veterans Affairs and Border Security Committee. "With so many deserving young Texans in our area, I look forward to recognizing a strong pool of applicants."

The Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP), administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, was created by the Texas Legislature in 2009 to assist promising students from throughout the state who are committed to education and service.

The program encourages young leaders to participate in Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) programs at Texas institutions of higher learning and to become commissioned officers in the United States Armed Services or members of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air Force National Guard, the Texas State Guard, or the United States Merchant Marine force. Each member of the Texas Legislature is able to appoint one qualified student for the annual accolade.

Hancock today also announced the members of the Senate District 9 TASSP Selection Board. These local leaders will assist in determining the Senate District 9 appointee for 2021-22:

Neal Adams, a Texas native, served as Adjutant of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets' Second Brigade and Head Yell Leader while pursuing his Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing before obtaining his Juris Doctor at Baylor University School of Law. President of the law firm of Adams, Lynch & Loftin P.C. in Grapevine, Neal has practiced law in Tarrant County for nearly 50 years. Committed to public service, he served on the Board of Trustees for HEB ISD for seven years and as a gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for six years. Neal has additionally served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Texas Higher Education Foundation since 2009. He and his wife, Sonja, have two daughters.

Andy Nguyen came to the United States as a refugee at age 14. Despite the challenge of learning a new language and culture, Andy persisted, finishing high school with his peers. He joined the Kentucky National Guard, completed training in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps, and was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. Andy moved to Texas in 1992, where he started his own company and, in 2010, was elected to the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, becoming the first Vietnamese American to serve as a county commissioner in Texas. He and his wife, Julie, have three children.

Marcy Barkemeyer spent 16 years in public education before opening the real estate business she now runs serving Northeast Tarrant County and the DFW Metroplex. A longtime resident of Hurst, then North Richland Hills, Marcy is a proud United States Marine Corps mom. Her son, Blake, graduated from Birdville High School in 2012 and is currently stationed in Washington, D.C. having achieved the rank of Captain.

To learn more about the program or request an application, students may contact Senator Hancock's district office at (817) 514-3804.

The Senate District 9 application deadline for the 2021-22 academic year award is Friday, July 30, 2021.

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