DAV scholarship for volunteeringERLANGER, Ky. – DAV (Disabled American Veterans) has named Amelia Marcum of Denver as the recipient of the 2024 DAV Scholarships’ top prize of $30,000. Marcum will be recognized Aug. 3 during the 2024 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention in Phoenix.

The DAV Scholarships honor 10 students each year for their volunteer support of veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) Program and through DAV’s Local Veterans Assistance Program (LVAP).

Marcum, 21, is a 2021 graduate of Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado, and recently finished her junior year at Stanford University in California. As a direct descendent of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota, she developed and wrote a Native American veterans resource guide that’s used by the five tribal veterans resource service centers in North Dakota. She worked closely with Vietnam veteran and former North Dakota state Sen. Richard Marcellais to bring the guide to fruition.

“Volunteering to serve the veteran community has been immensely transformative for me,” said Marcum. “I discovered a profound sense of purpose in elevating support systems for Native veterans, a community that serves at the highest rates among ethnic groups yet often faces significant challenges in accessing the benefits they rightfully deserve.”

She said the scholarship will be instrumental in her pursuit of a degree in economics and international relations. After college, she wants to work in public service advocating for the rights and resources of marginalized communities.

“Each of our scholarship recipients should be very proud of their volunteer service,” said DAV National Commander Nancy Espinosa. “Not only have their efforts positively impacted the lives of veterans and their families, they are leaders among their generation, modeling selfless service that truly makes a difference.”

Additional scholarship recipients include:

  • $20,000   Anushka Kagade of Concord, North Carolina
  • $15,000   Zachary Thomas of Fayetteville, Arkansas
  • $10,000   Noah Tan of Kearneysville, West Virginia
  • $7,500   David Allen of Oklahoma City
  • $7,500   Valerie Webster of China Grove, North Carolina
  • $5,000   Emma Johniken of Woodway, Texas
  • $5,000   Katrina Campbell of Greenville, Illinois
  • $5,000   William Graves of Columbia, Missouri
  • $5,000   Sydney Marker Singh of Corvallis, Washington
  • DAV awards $110,000 in scholarships each year to inspire volunteerism in students.

Photos and media may be made available upon request.

 

About DAV

DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: keeping our promise to America’s veterans. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them, fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill, providing employment resources to veterans and their families, and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a nonprofit organization with more than 1 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932.