Spouses Club awards $8,000 in scholarships Published May 14, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Emerald Ralston MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The Malmstrom Spouse's Club gave away $8,000 in scholarships this year to family members of active-duty Air Force personnel at Malmstrom. The scholarships were awarded Thursday night at a ceremony at the Grizzly Bend Club. The MSC takes proceeds from their annual mercantile auction, along with sales from the thrift store on base to fund the scholarships. "Our scholarship money is raised through the auction and the thrift store," said Beverly Reitnauer, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron budget technician and member of the MSC. "That money is divided between other charities and the scholarships, therefore the amount awarded each year varies." Spouses and children of active-duty personnel, retired personnel, and surviving spouses and children of deceased active or retired members are eligible for the scholarships. Children must be a Cascade County high school graduating senior with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and spouses must be applying or working toward his or her first associate's or bachelor's degree. "The main purpose of the MSC is to raise money for family members to help them further their academic education," Ms. Reitnauer said. "The MSC is dedicated to organizing and sponsoring educational, charitable, cultural and special activities for spouses of all ranks." This year's winners of $1,500 scholarships were Kelly Herremans, student; Melissa Lycan, spouse; and Andrew Seitz, student. The $1,000 winner was Ryan Best, student. The two $750 winners were Jacob Griffith and Samantha Komeotis, students, and the winners of $500 scholarships were Heather Franzen, student; and Christina Martinez, spouse.