2026 VETF Scholarship Awardee
Kenna is a sophomore at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. Attending her dream school, she is working toward earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with the goal of building a career in trauma care.
Kenna tragically lost her father, USMC Major Shawn M. Campbell, on January 14, 2016, when she was 9 years old. Major Campbell deployed three times as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Upon his return to the United States, he continued his service as an instructor and safety officer, stationed at Quantico, Pensacola, and eventually at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
During a night-training mission near Oahu on January 14, 2016, two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters crashed. Major Shawn Campbell was one of 12 Marines lost in the incident.
He left behind his wife and four children.
She aspires to become a flight nurse, where she can combine advanced clinical skills with rapid-response emergency care.
Outside of the classroom, Kenna volunteers with Unbridled Paths, an equine-assisted therapy program for children with special needs, and she is training to run her first marathon in October, the Marine Corps Marathon.
Kenna states of her father and his influence on her education, “Growing up, my dad was my biggest hero. He always supported me through anything, and I knew I had his love no matter where in the world he was.
He taught me about the importance of hard work and the significance of serving others. He represented those values for me with his military service.
“Going to college is a way for me to make my dad proud and honor his legacy. I want to go to college because I believe pursuing education is so important, and I can use it to change lives.
I want to become a nurse. It's a way for me to represent my dad's values and help other people. By going to college, I can represent my dad and all that he believed in.”
The 2024 VETF Scholarship Awardee
In 2024, Conner’s commitment to his education, family and future was recognized when he was awarded a scholarship by the Veteran's Education Tuition Fund (VETF), in collaboration with the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund.
This award aims to support children of veterans who have been wounded or killed in action, helping them achieve their educational goals without financial burden.
Conner, a determined junior finance major at the University of Central Florida, is making strides towards his dream of starting his own company to support his younger siblings' college education.
His journey is fueled by the hardships faced by his family following the death of his stepfather and his mother's health issues, which have left the family with substantial debt.
Conner's stepfather, SSG David P. Nowaczyk, was a brave soldier who lost his life to an improvised explosive device on April 15, 2012, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, during his third deployment.
His heroic actions, including earning a Bronze Star with "V" device during the Battle of Barge Matal in 2009, have left a lasting impact on Conner.
The family has honored SSG Nowaczyk's memory with two memorials in his hometown of Dyer, Indiana, celebrating his life and service, as well as acknowledging all Indiana Gold Star Families.
Reflecting on the loss, Conner shared, "The loss was a profound devastation that completely transformed our lives, and the echoes of his sacrifice continue to shape my journey and future aspirations.”
He added, "His service stands as a constant reminder of the value of selflessness, compassion, and resilience. It has inspired me to embrace every opportunity to make a difference, to be a beacon of hope and strength, and to uphold the values of dedication and sacrifice that Dave epitomized. After all, it’s what he would’ve wanted for me."
Through this scholarship, Conner is empowered to pursue his goals with the spirit of dedication and sacrifice that defined his stepfather's legacy.
2025 VETF Scholarship Awardee
In recognition of his unwavering dedication to education, family, and future, the Veteran’s Education Tuition Fund (VETF), in partnership with the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, is honored to award Conner consecutive scholarships for his senior year in 2025.
This meaningful support not only eases the path toward his academic and professional goals but also serves as a tribute to the enduring values of perseverance, service, and sacrifice.
Through this scholarship, Conner is empowered to continue building a future that reflects both his own determination and the legacy of dedication left by his stepfather.