Ramstein Bazaar Gives Back:
KMC Scholarships

In 2024, ROSC was able to fund 52 merit-based scholarships to high school seniors, current university students, and military spouses from the Kaiserslautern Military Community! Scholarships ranged from $500 to $3,000 totaling $75,000. Scholarship applicants were selected based on their grades, activities, community service, awards and honors, employment, and a written essay. These scholarships would not have been possible without the support of the community.

The KMC Scholarship benefits command-sponsored dependents in the KMC including high school, university students, and spouses. Katie Hickman received scholarships while she was an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She graduated in 2024 with a degree in Political Science and German and recently commissioned as an officer in the Air Force. “It’s honestly a full circle moment for my family,” said Hickman. “I really loved growing up as a military child. The supportive communities that I grew up in really made my life as a military child better, and I wanted to go back and serve and give back to that community.”

Hickman says the KMC Scholarship helped relieve the financial burden of college. “The scholarships were helpful, because I was able to apply them to my tuition and housing. Working in college was really difficult because I was trying to balance school. ROTC was also a huge commitment. So the money from the scholarships allowed me to focus on those things a little bit more and balance my work schedule as well.”

Jade Fisher believes physical therapy plays a pivotal role in recovery. She was inspired to pursue this career field after doing an internship at LMRC while she was a senior at Ramstein High School. She’s now studying Physical Therapy at George Mason University. Thanks to the KMC Scholarship, she finished her first year in college with no debt.

“College and higher education can be really expensive, so any money at all can go a really long way,” said Fischer. “This scholarship really helped my first year being able to purchase my books and buy the things that I need for my dorm. Also, the idea that I was able to be debt-free my first year in college—I didn’t have to take out any loans. It really took off some of the stress. I just want to say thank you to ROSC and the Ramstein Bazaar volunteers for everything you do for military kids, and especially for me, giving me this scholarship and giving me this opportunity to pursue higher education.”

Jane Rawcliffe always knew she wanted to be a doctor. Because she played sports as a child, she spent a lot of time in and out of doctor’s offices. She even had hip surgery at age 13.

“As I got older, I realized that our system of medicine is very symptom-focused, rather than cause and treatment-focused,” said Rawcliffe. “I want to be a doctor that looks at what causes symptoms and treats underlying causes, rather than just treating symptoms. I’m fortunate enough to say that I graduated from undergrad completely debt free, and the KMC Scholarship definitely helped me do that.”

After graduating Ramstein High School in 2020, Rawcliffe went on to graduate from the University of Georgia with a degree Biomedical Physiology in 2024. She’s now attending Semmelweis Medical School in Budapest, Hungary.

The KMC Scholarship is a second chance for Sherrill Slusher, a military spouse living in the Kaiserslautern Military Community. “More than 20 years ago, I didn’t know how to apply for any scholarships. I had no financial aid, and I didn’t have any guidance on how to apply for it. This is the first time I’ve been guided on how to apply for a scholarship. So, I’m excited I got something on my own, and I’ll be better equipped to guide my own children into college and scholarships.”

The KMC Scholarship benefits not only high school and current university students, but includes spouses who desire to pursue higher education. With this scholarship money, Sherrill attends Roane State Community College in Tennessee through online courses. “It’s not just the money. It’s the fact that I could get something on my own. My career goal is to be more than just a stay-at-home mom. I’m very likely going into the medical field, possibly a labor and delivery nurse like my German grandmother.”

To the KMC Community, Sherrill said, “Thank you for all the fundraising you’ve done to fund a scholarship. I wouldn’t have even known how to apply to something like this without all of the people who fundraise for this scholarship." This community impact inspired Sherrill to volunteer for the Ramstein Bazaar as well. "It's a joy to be a part of the Ramstein Bazaar, because of the lasting friendships within our American and international communities. I love working with our vendors from all over Europe. But most importantly, I love what the Bazaar represents. I know that my volunteering is helping fund scholarships like the one I received."

Alexis’ dream career was inspired by her aunt. “My aunt is a doctor, and she is one of my biggest role models, and I’ve always looked up to her.”

Alexis got the opportunity to visit the hospital where her aunt works as a doctor, and it was an eye-opening experience. “After shadowing my aunt, that’s when I knew that’s what I wanted to do.” Alexis says she would like to go into research into physical therapy, specifically finding new ways to treat patients. 

To the KMC Scholarships committee and the community, Alexis said, “You guys have worked so hard to raise money for us and for higher education. Thank you so much for your hard work. The KMC Scholarship gives me funding to go to college and have some money to put aside towards books and other materials. It really means a lot to me.”

Adrianna Cook’s dream is to pursue a career with Homeland Security or the State Department after being inspired by her experiences as a military dependent and JROTC cadet. Last year, Adrianna attended the AFJROTC Flight Academy, which was a full ride scholarship to receive her private pilot’s license. After graduating from Ramstein High School, she attended Randolph-Macon Academy before she headed to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. Adrianna plans to major in Global Conflict with a minor in Flight.

“I still do have to pay some dues to attend prep school, so the KMC Scholarship will help me gather more flight hours on my listings to pursue my pilot’s slot,” said Adrianna. “Thank you so much for investing in me. I was shocked to receive this incredible amount, and I am forever grateful.”

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I want to be a reporter, or I want to write for Time Magazine. I want to tell people what’s going on, to spread awareness of different issues going on.”

Katrina says the KMC scholarship helps alleviate some of the financial burdens that come with higher education costs. “My room and board is pretty expensive when you’re first starting out. I wasn’t able to apply to many scholarships, because we’re overseas, and it’s a little harder. So this scholarship is great. Thank you for allowing me to apply.”

Lucy has been dancing for as long as she can remember. She trained in ballet until she was 18 years old, but through Rutgers University, she’s been exposed to all types of dance including Classic Indian, Filipino, and other cultures. And her dream is to teach others.

“Dance education is something I’ve been passionate about for awhile, and it’s a way you can have kids from all different types of backgrounds come together and get to learn that’s not as stressful as taking a math class,” said Adkins. “It doesn’t really matter where you’re coming from. You can just dance. You don’t even have to speak the same language. My dream job would be teaching dance in a special education class. I’m hoping to get my special education certification eventually.”

Lucy says she’s grateful for the KMC Scholarship, because college is costly. “My parents help out a lot, but this money will take a lot of stress off of me and my parents. Rutgers is expensive, and adding on the grad school is so much more.

A couple of recipients of the KMC Scholarship are brother and sister, Jason and Julianna Dine. Julianna is currently attending Georgia Southern University, and her goal is to work in the medical field, specifically becoming a sonographer. “The KMC Scholarship will help me, because the last thing I want out of college is student loan debt. My fear is leaving college with a bunch of money due, so I’d like to get my schooling paid off each year, so I’m already set and stress free. And I can focus on getting what I need done in school, so I can be successful each year.”

Meanwhile, Jason is attending Columbus State University studying cyber security. “Cybersecurity is a really up and growing field, and I think I’d be really good at it. Eventually, I’d like to start my own tech company starting cybersecurity and consulting, and maybe move into pen testing. The KMC Scholarship will really help me pay for college, so I can graduate debt free and focus on getting my job and starting my own tech company. Thank you so much for the scholarship! I have to pay my way through college, so every scholarship helps.”