In 2009 we awarded our first scholarship to Shannon O'Reilly. She was pursuing a degree in criminal justice and criminal investigations at Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso, Indiana.
For 2011, we awarded two scholarships.
The recipients were Manuel Orlich and Michael Coslet.
Manuel Orlich was pursuing a degree in fire engineering at Oklahoma University. Upon graduation of high school, Manuel was promoted from cadet to firefighter on Chesterton Fire Department.
Michael Coslet was pursuing a degree in fire science at Vincennes University. Upon graduation of high school, Michael was promoted from cadet to firefighter on Chesterton Fire Department.
For 2012, we awarded two scholarships.
The recipients were Marcy Miles and Manuel Orlich.
Marcy was pursing a science degree in the field of paramedic science at Ivy Tech Community College in Michigan City, Indiana.
Manuel was in his second year at Oklahoma State University, pursuing a degree in fire engineering. His cumulative GPA was 3.550.
For 2013 we awarded three scholarships.
The recipients were Brandon Long, Manuel Orlich, and Paige Brinkmann.
Brandon Long attended St. Mary’s Medical Center EMS Training Institute. He was a volunteer at Porter Fire and attended the fire academy.
Manuel Orlich was in his third year at Oklahoma State University, pursuing his fire engineering degree.
Paige Brinkmann will be attending Ivy Tech Community College in both Michigan City and Valparaiso. She is planning to first purse a degree in EMT and then continuing on for her paramedic degree.
In addition, we sponsored a child to attend the Hoosier Burn Camp this year.
For 2014, we awarded four scholarships.
The recipients were:
Angelica Craig who attended Vincennes University.
Evan Thorstad who attended Ball State University for Criminal Justice with a Minor in Digital Forensics.
Manuel Orlich who attended Oklahoma State University for Fire Engineering.
Ricky Medelin who attended an EMT Course at St. Mary's Medical Center.
In addition, we sponsored two children to attend the Hoosier Burn Camp this year.
For 2015, we awarded two scholarships.
The recipients were:
Joseph Petrovich who attended IUPUI for public safety.
Ryan Moran who attended an EMT Course at St. Mary's Medical Center.
In addition, we sponsored one child to attend the Hoosier Burn Camp this year.
For 2016, we did not award any scholarships. However, we did sponsor a child to attend the Hoosier Burn Camp and donated to Shop with A Cop.
In 2017, we awarded five scholarships.
The recipients were:
Evan Guin was attending a Tennessee for Fire Science.
Meagan Tolnay who attended a Paramedic Course at St. Mary's Medical Center.
Madelyn Karriman who attended Ivy Tech for Law Enforcement.
Andrew Macchiarella who attended Ivy Tech for Criminal Justice.
Michael Macchiarella who attended a Paramedic Course at St. Mary's Medical Center.
In addition, we sponsored one child to attend the Hoosier Burn Camp this year.
In 2018, we awarded three scholarships.
The recipients were:
Andrew Macchiarella who attended Ivy Tech for Law Enforcement.
Hannah Walker & Richard Moneypenny both received their scholarships for Paramedic Courses.
In addition, we sponsored a child to attend the Hoosier Burn Camp and donated to Santas Helpers this year.
In 2019, we awarded two scholarships.
The recipients were:
Andrew Macchiarella who attended Ivy Tech for Law Enforcement.
Liam Oberlander who attended Ivy Tech's EMT Course.
In addition, we sponsored a child to attend the Hoosier Burn Camp, donated to Shop with A Cop and Santa's Helpers, and donated to multiple First Responder Agencies.
In 2020, we awarded two scholarships.
The recipients were:
Michael Macchiarella who attended a Paramedic Course at Methodist Hospital.
Gunner Burkhart who attended Purdue University for a Law Enforcement Degree.
In addition, we also donated to Santa's Helpers.
In 2021, we awarded one scholarship.
The recipient was:
Abigail Sullivan who attended an EMT Course at Northwest Health.
In addition, we sponsored a child to attend the Hoosier Burn Camp and we donated to Shop with A Cop and Santa's Helpers.
In 2022 we awarded two scholarships.
The recipients were:
Jason Adkins who attended an EMT Course at Ivy Tech.
Kristina Kokot who is attending Indiana University Bloomington for Conservation Law Enforcement.
In addition:
We sponsored a child to attend the Hoosier Burn Camp.
We donated to the Indiana State Troopers Youth Pioneer Camp and the Porter County Sheriff's Youth Camp.
We sponsored the National Child Safety Council which provided materials for the resource officers at Duneland Schools.
We fulfilled grant requests for new safety hoods for the Chesterton Fire Department, a new bullet proof vest for the Crown Point Police Department, and a new Garmin GPS Dog Tracking System for Porter Fire Department.
We donated to Shop With A Cop and Santas Helpers.
We also donated CO2 Detectors, Smoke Detectors, and Fire Extinguishers to MAKS.
In 2023 we awarded one scholarship.
The recipient was:
Kristina Kokot who is attending Indiana University Bloomington for Conservation Law Enforcement.
In addition:
We sponsored a child to attend the Hoosier Burn Camp.
We donated to the Indiana State Troopers Youth Pioneer Camp and the Porter County Sheriff's Youth Camp.
We fulfilled grant requests for:
- A donation to the Crown Point Heroes Honor Fund.
- A donation to the P.C.F.A. Fire Investigation Team.
- New uniforms for the Portage Fire Honor Guard.
- Bunker gear for the High School Fire & Rescue Program at the MAAC Center
We donated to the Back the Blue Fundraiser.
We donated to Shop With A Cop and Santas Helpers.
We also donated CO2 Detectors, Smoke Detectors, and Fire Extinguishers to MAKS.
In 2024 we awarded two scholarships:
The recipients were:
Nathan Nix who is attending Indiana University Northwest for criminal justice.
Kristina Kokot who is attending Indiana University Bloomington for Conservation Law Enforcement.
We sponsored a child to attend the Hoosier Burn Camp.
We fulfilled grant requests for:
- A new charging station and radio batteries for the Porter County Search and Rescue Team.
- An AED for the Crown Point Fire Department.
- Two AED Storage Boxes for the Town of Chesterton.
We sponsored the Porter County Sheriff‘s Youth Camp and the Indiana State Troopers Youth Pioneer Camp.
For Questions Please Contact Us At Wshmemorial@yahoo.com