KOSC awards scholarships Published May 26, 2011 By Stefan Bocchino 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Kirtland Air Force Base -- The Kirtland Officers Spouses club awarded more than $12,000 worth of scholarships to 17 individuals May 19 during an event at the Mountain View Club. The scholarship recipients must meet criteria outlined by the KOSC scholarship committee. The recipients fall into four categories: high school senior to undergraduate; continuing education to undergraduate; spouse to undergraduate; and high school senior to vocational/technical school. "We had such a great time recognizing KOSC scholarship recipients and their families," said April Golden, first vice president KOSC. "The scholarship award banquet is our big end-of-the-year function, and the amount of money we give out to local charities is spotlighted. That event will be a positive light on our military community and the KOSC." The KOSC had a record number of applicants this year according to Ms. Golden. "The KOSC scholarship is open to dependents of all ranks and branches of the United States military," said scholarship co-chair Marjorie McLean. "While the scholarship recipients are each unique individuals, they all represent the future. We are pleased to be supporting their educational goals." The KOSC holds fundraisers each year and runs the Kirtland Air Force Base Thrift Shop to raise funds to provide scholarships. The Thrift Shop has 66 volunteers who have logged more than 8,000 hours since July 2010. "Scholarships and charitable donations are the most visible way KOSC gives back to our community," said KOSC president Mary Layman. "We also strive to support our nation's military on the home front by providing a network of spouses to stand in for family that may be thousands of miles away." The KOSC also donates funds to multiple national and local charities. Since August 2010, the KOSC has donated more than $10,300 to these organizations.