Annual DEAFNA Foundation Scholarship Program

Each of the Six DEAFNA Regions grants a $2,500.00 scholarship to the selectee.

2024 Application period is: January 1, 2024 to April 1, 2024

The Scholarship is only open to children and grandchildren of the National DEAFNA Members. Go to www.afna.org for details.

View the application here:

2024 DEAFNA Foundation Scholarship Application

The 2023 Awards

The 2023 AFNA Foundation Scholarship winners have been chosen.

Marty Maguire, AFNA Foundation Scholarship Coordinator, shared the following: Once again, the AFNA Scholarship Committee received an amazing group of applications from an outstanding field of candidates. We received submissions from college hopefuls whose majors were projected in biochemistry, the military, pediatric neurology, law enforcement, and everywhere in between. All candidates were truly inspiring in their work ethic, extra curricular activities, and community service. The committee chose to recognize the following candidates for their extraordinary accomplishments.

Marty Maguire
Foundation Scholarship Coordinator
maguiremga@gmail.com

Winners of the 2023 AFNA Foundation Scholarships are the following:
(photos below)

Northeast Region

Winner-Caroline Ann Kelly
Sponsor-Vin Kelly (Father)
Endowed by Larry McElynn
In Memory of LCPL Thomas J. McElynn, USMC

Mid-Atlantic Region

Winner- Kalina Frick
Sponsor- Tom Frick (Father)
Jerry Rinehart Scholarship
Endowed by The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation

Southeast Region
Winner- Tyler Kowitzke
Sponsor- Brian Kowitzke (Father)
Jerry Rinehart Scholarship
Endowed by The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation

North Central Region
Winner- Charlie Soltys
Sponsor- Chuck Soltys (Father)
Endowed by Bob and Margaret Nieves
In Memory of Harold and Margaret Wilfert

South Central Region

Winner-Ryan Furay
Sponsor – William Furay (Father)
Endowed by the DEA Educational Foundation

Western Region

Winner- Keira Adams
Sponsor- Kevin Adams (Father)
Gary Elliot Scholarship
Endowed by Tom Raffanello

: Ryan Furay

: Presentation left to right: Tom Mangiamele Acting DEA ASAC, San Antonio District Office, William (Bill) Furay DEA ASAC (Ret.), AFNA Member, Ryan Furay (recipient), and Michael Sanders AFNA Vice President South Central Region.

: Left to right: William (Bill) Furay, Luke Furay, Ryan Furay (recipient), Jake Furay, and Kristin Lentini Furay.

: Attending via Zoom left to right- Scholarship Coordinator Martin Maguire, AFNA Executive Director Bea Craig, AFNA Foundation Larry McElynn, DEA Educational Rep Danny Staffieri, AFNA President Dan Salter.

: Charlie Soltys

: Tyler Kowitzke

: Kalina Frick

: Caroline Ann Kelly

: Keira Adams

: Presentation on May 26, 2023. From Left to right- El Paso SAC Greg Millard, Keira Adams, and Mom Nichole Adams.

: Attending via Zoom from left to right- Keira Adams, AFNA Executive Director Bea Craig, AFNA Scholarship Coordinator Martin Maguire, President of the AFNA Foundation Larry McElynn, and father Kevin Adams, DEA ASAC Las Vegas.

The 2022 Awards

The 2022 AFNA Foundation Scholarship winners have been chosen.

Marty Maguire, AFNA Foundation Scholarship Coordinator, asked to share the below:The 2022 AFNA Foundation Scholarship winners have been chosen. Again this year, we had an outstanding group of applicants nationally. All the applicants were amazing students, athletes, and community service leaders. Their parents and grandparents can truly be proud of having raised such fine future leaders of our communities. It is also worthy to note that this year the scholarships have been endowed by many generous donors who are recognized below.

Marty Maguire
Foundation Scholarship Coordinator
maguiremga@gmail.com

Winners of the 2022 AFNA Foundation Scholarships are the following:
(photos below)

Northeast Region
Split scholarship
Endowed by Mark Goldstein
In Memoriam: Joseph and Rose Goldstein

Isabelle Hoffman
(Sponsor Andrew Hoffman, Father)

Endowed by Mark Goldstein
In Memoriam: Raymond G. Boglioli

Kerry Guinee
(Sponsor Paul Doyle, Grandfather)

Mid-Atlantic Region
Jerry Rinehart Scholarship
Endowed by The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation

Simonne Lenseigne
(Sponsor Joe Lenseigne, Father)

Southeast Region
Jerry Rinehart Scholarship Endowed by The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation

Sabrina Bonavita
(Sponsor John Costanzo, Grandfather)

North Central Region
LexisNexis Scholarship
In Honor of Howard Safir
For 40 years of Dedicated Service

Danny Wood
(Sponsor Don Wood, Father)

South Central Region
Split Scholarship
Endowed by John Varrone
SAIC (Ret.)
US Customs Service

JD Nattinger
(Sponsor John Nattinger, Grandfather)

Endowed by Robert Nieves
Chief (Ret.)
International Operations
USDEA
In Memoriam
Randolph Nieves and Maria Arvonio

Rachel Seay
(Sponsor James Seay, Grandfather)

Western Region
Rich Gorman Scholarship
Endowed by Tom Raffanello
SAIC (Ret.)
Miami Division
USDEA

Brandon Wiebold
(Sponsor Richard Wieboldt, Father)

: Isabelle Hoffman (Sponsor Andrew Hoffman, Father)

: From left to right are RAC Rodney George, recipient Isabelle Hoffman, ASAC Andrew Hoffman (father) and VP Marty Maguire. Mr. Goldstein was also present on Zoom. Isabelle will be attending Muhlenberg College in PA.

: Kerry Guinee (Sponsor Paul Doyle, Grandfather)

: AFNA New England Chapter President, Paul Doyle, presented the scholarship check to his granddaughter, Kerry Guinee. Mark Goldstein, who endowed the scholarship in memory of his father in law, Raymond G. Bogolio, and AFNA Northeast Region VP, Marty Maguire, attended via zoom.

: Simonne Lenseigne (Sponsor Joe Lenseigne, Father)

: On July 17, 2022, AFNA Mid-Atlantic VP Rich Fiano and National Treasurer Larry Gallina presented the 2022 AFNA Jerry Rhinehart Memorial Scholarship check to Simonne Lenseigne in Great Falls, VA. Just prior to the presentation, a zoom call including Stacy Rhinehart (Jerry’s daughter), AFNA member Mark Bauman (a collegue and longtime friend of Jerry’s and representing the Finker Foundation) and Marty Maguire (Chair of the AFNA Scholarship Committee) had a chance to speak with Simonne about her accomplishments and future plans. Simonne will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall. Pictured L – R Larry Gallina, Simonne Lenseigne, Dad Joe Lenseigne, Mom Libby Lenseigne and Rich Fiano

: Sabrina Bonavita (Sponsor John Costanzo, Grandfather)

: Danny Wood (Sponsor Don Wood, Father)

: JD Nattinger (Sponsor John Nattinger, Grandfather)

: From left to right: John and Cookie Nattinger (grandparents), JD Nattinger, Amanda and Travis Nattinger (parents) and Reagan, sister.

: From left to right: JD Miller, AFNA VP South Central Region, JD Nattinger, and Travis Nattinger.

: Rachel Seay (Sponsor James Seay, Grandfather)

: Presentation of the award to Rachel.. Click to view larger photo.

: Brandon Wieboldt (Sponsor Richard Wieboldt, Father)

The 2021 Awards

The 2021 AFNA Foundation Scholarship winners have been chosen.

Once again we had an outstanding pool of candidates from around the country. We had a record number of 37 total applicants this year for the six AFNA regional scholarships ( MA-8; NE-8; W-5,SE-7,C-3;SC-6). All the applicants were truly fine young men and women and their families are to be congratulated for raising such amazing and hard working individuals.

Two of the 6 awards are now named in honor of Jerry Rinehart through a benefactor. AFNA Foundation President John Costanzo asked to include the following:

The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation, a family-run charitable organization dedicated to creating a generational legacy of giving has contributed to the AFNA Foundation Scholarship Fund.The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation’s recent contribution to the Foundation was made on behalf of Mr. Jerry Rinehart, a retired DEA Special Agent and a close friend of the Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation founder and director Dr. Lazar “Lonya” Finker. Mr. Rinehart passed away after a battle with brain cancer in late 2020. Using the funds donated by the Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation, AFNA has established two Jerry Rinehart Scholarships in Mr. Rinehart’s honor. These scholarships are awarded to the applicants submitted from the AFNA Mid Atlantic and Southeast Regions* as Mr. Rinehart is originally from West Virginia and served numerous years in the Jacksonville RO.

The AFNA 2021 Scholarship Award Winners

(photos below)

Northeast Region Winner
-split $2500-
John Deignan (sponsor Thomas Deignan, Father)
and

Aaron Kelly (sponsor Vincent Kelly, Father)

Mid Atlantic Region Winners
Brooke Hewitt (sponsor Earl Hewitt, Father)

*Jerry Rinehart Scholarship

Southeast Region Winner
Tessa Hansen (sponsor Don Hansen, Father)

*Jerry Rinehart Scholarship

North Central Region Winner

Katianne Soltys (sponsor Chuck Soltys, Father)

Western Region Winner

Natalia Vasquez Pavichevich (sponsor Daniel Pavichevich, Father)

South Central Region Winner
-Split $2500-
Savannah Orton (sponsor Michael Orton, Father)
and

Alaina Donovan (sponsor Greg Donovan, Father)

: Northeast Region Winner -split $2500- John Deignan (sponsor Thomas Deignan, Father)

: Northeast Region Winner -split $2500- Aaron Kelly (sponsor Vincent Kelly, Father)

: Mid Atlantic Region Winners Brooke Hewitt (sponsor Earl Hewitt,Father) *Jerry Rinehart Scholarship

: Southeast Region Winner Tessa Hansen (sponsor Don Hansen, Father) *Jerry Rinehart Scholarship

: North Central Region Winner Katianne Soltys ( sponsor Chuck Soltys,Father)

: Western Region Winner Natalia Vasquez Pavichevich (sponsor Daniel Pavichevich, Father)

: South Central Region Winner -Split $2500- Savannah Orton (sponsor Michael Orton, Father)

: South Central Region Winner -Split $2500- Alaina Donovan (sponsor Greg Donovan, Father)

The 2020 Awards

The 2020 AFNA Foundation Scholarship winners have been chosen.

Once again we had an outstanding pool of candidates from around the country. We had 23 total applicants for the six AFNA regional scholarships ( MA-10; NE-5; W-4,SE-2,NC-1;SC-0). NC region had a repeat winner from 2019. Since the South Central region had no applicants, we transferred that slot over to the Mid Atlantic region where they had 10 applicants, so it was put to good use and awarded to a well deserving student.

Northeast Region Winner
Benjamin HOFFMAN (Sponsor- Father, Andrew Hoffman)

Mid Atlantic Region Winners
1- Caroline CAREY (Sponsor- Grandfather, Jerry Carey)
2- Kenna REICHNER (Sponsor- Father, Larry Reichner)

Southeast Region Winner
Juliana BONAVITA (Sponsor- Grandfather John Costanzo)

North Central Region Winner
Hanna VARENHORST-JOHNSON (Sponsor- Grandfather Harvey Varenhorst)

Western Region Winner
Abby HOYAL (Sponsor-Grandfather Ken Hoyal)

South Central Region Winner
No applicants; slot rolled over to the Mid Atlantic Region

: Ben Hoffman, Northeast

: Ben after receiving his scholarship check with his mother Karen & father Andy

: Caroline Carey, Mid-Atlantic

: Caroline after receiving her scholarship check with her grandfather Jerry Carey

: Kenna Reichner, Mid-Atlantic

: Kenna after receiving her scholarship check with her mother Cindy & father Larry AFNA Member

: Juliana Bonavita, Southeast

: Juliana Bonavita, after receiving her scholarship check.

: Hanna Varenhorst, North Central

: Abby Hoyal, Western

The 2019 Awards

Below are the 2019 AFNA Foundation Scholarship winners. Each of the Six AFNA Regions granted a $2,500.00 scholarship to each selectee.

Western Region
Mary Kohaut (Granddaughter of George Halpin)

North Central Region
Hannah Varenhorst- Johnson (Granddaughter of Harvey Varenhorst)

Northeastern Region
(which had two $1250 winners since the winning applicants were so similar in scholastic and community service achievement)
Madison Pasterchick (Daughter of Mike Pasterchick) and Ryan Boyle (Son of Brian Boyle SAC of New England FD)

Mid Atlantic Region
(which had two $1250 winners since the winning applicants were so similar in scholastic and community service achievement)
Taylor Kibble (Granddaughter of Jimmy Kibble) and Kelli Hodnett (Daughter of Tom Hodnett, ASAC Philadelphia FD)

South Central Region
Hannah Nieves (Granddaughter of Bobby Nieves)

Southeast Region
Brianna Jordan (Granddaughter of John Mudri)

: Western Region – Mary Kohaut – Sponsor – George Halpin

: George Venables, AFNA President San Diego Chapter, presenting the award to Mary, who will attend San Diego State in the fall, joined by Mary’s grandfather/sponsor George Halpin and former Administrator Michelle Leonhart.

: North Central Region – Hannah Varenhorst-Johnson Sponsor- Harvey Varenhorst

: Northeastern Region – Madison Pasterchick – Sponsor – Mike Pasterchick

: Northeastern Region – Ryan Boyle – Sponsor Brian Boyle

: Mid Atlantic Region – Kelli Hodnett -Sponsor -Tom Hodnett

: South Central Region – Hannah Nieves – Sponsor -Bobby Nieves

: Southeast Region – Brianna Jordan – Sponsor – John Mudri

The 2018 Awards

Martin Maguire, AFNA Scholarship Chairman, asked to share the below:

AFNA is proud to announce the awardees of the Second Annual AFNA Foundation Scholarships. These scholarships are given to the deserving sons, daughters, and grandchildren of AFNA National members. This year marked the increase of the scholarship amount to $2500. It was no surprise that the amount of applications increased dramatically making the decisions for the AFNA Scholarship Committee very difficult because of the outstanding applicant pool of talent, ability, and high level of community service.

This year’s awards were given to an outstanding group of young men and women. The awardees have exhibited superior academic achievement, as well as giving of their time to assist others and supporting causes consistent with AFNA values.

The following is an excerpt from what one scholarship winner communicated to the committee which highlights the meaning of the award:

I am so excited and appreciative about being awarded the 2018 AFNA Scholarship.
I can’t tell you how valuable this scholarship is in financially helping me to make my educational dreams come true. If possible, please forward my sincere appreciation to all of the directors of AFNA and all those who were involved in the selection process. I promise I will be a good steward of this gift and thank you for your commitment in making our country safer and more drug free.

These are the awardees of the Second Annual AFNA Scholarships! All outstanding young men and women worthy of our applause!

-Marty Maguire
AFNA Scholarship Chair

Awardees

Western Region

Sierra Nagle, daughter of Former Special Agent Scott Nagle- Barkersfield, California

North Central Region

Mark O’Reilly, son of Acting G/S Special Agent Chris O’Reilly- Chicago FD

Mid Atlantic Region

Jenna Wilkerson, daughter of Former Special Agent David Wilkerson- Kentucky

South Central Region

Faith Courville, granddaughter of Former Special Agent John Nattinger- Texas

Southeast Region

(which had two $1250 winners since the winning applicants were so similar in scholastic and community service achievement)

Talia Bagley, granddaughter of Former Special Agent Mike Powers- Florida

Madeline Andrews, granddaughter of Former Special Agent Pete McVean- South Carolina

: Mid-Atlantic Region Winner Jenna Wilkerson- Sponsor David Wilkerson

: North Central Region Winner Mark O’Reilly- Sponsor Christopher O’Reilly

: South Central Region Winner Faith Courville- Sponsor John Nattinger (Grandfather)

: Western Region Winner Sierra Nagle- Sponsor Scott Nagle

: Tie for Southeast Region Winner Talia Bagby- Sponsor Mike Powers (Grandfather)

: Tie for Southeast Region Winner Madeline Andrews- Sponsor Peter Mc Vean ( Grandfather)

The 2017 Awards

The 2017 awards were given to an outstanding group of young men and women. The awardees have exhibited superior academic achievement, as well as giving their time to assist others and support causes consistent with AFNA values.

: Western Region Caroline Escobar, daughter of RAC David Escobar, Fresno Resident Office

: The check was presented by Fresno RAC Chris Coleman on the left, middle is retired RAC & AFNA member David Escobar, Caroline Escobar, and her mother , Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar