I am Andrew O. Starr II, recent honors graduate from Woodgrove high school, Purcellville, Virginia, and will be attending Shenandoah University, Fall of 2024. I am a young patriot who believes in putting service of community ahead of self. I learned that from my father who served and protected our Nation as a Unites States Marine for 29 years. At the age of seven I was bestowed the title, Honorary Marine, only the Ninety-Seventh individual to earn this honor since the Corps founding in 1775. My goal was to be the fourth generation in our family to serve our country, however I was born with a neurological disorder, NF1. It is a lifelong disability where tumors can develop and grow on nerves anywhere throughout your body. It also impacts ones fine - gross motor skills, and executive function. I went through years of OT/PT, and chemotherapy to kill a few brain tumors. Beating back my illness helped me to recognize my desire to help others and motivated me to make a difference. During my recovery, my parents got me involved in Special Olympics in 2014. Even though it was difficult, I loved the freedom and joy I felt participating in sports. Once in the water, I felt equal and no different than my peers. I learned to overcome fears, and through my efforts and my coaches, I have earned eighteen – Gold, Silver, Bronze medals at Special Olympics’ State Games, swimming, volleyball, basketball, and bocce. I have helped other coaches’ and athletes. I am being nominated to be Global Messenger for Special Olympics Class of 2026. Sports/coaches gave me confidence and courage to tryout my senior year for the Varsity swim team. Even though I did not win an individual event or relay, I helped my team earn points in events to carry the team to multiple victories. My leadership and support of my teammates earned me Coach’s award of the year, 2023/24. I am a diligent student, who is dedicated to serving the community. I have been a Teacher Assistant for AP Human Geography at Woodgrove High School and student assistant to the Director of the Northern Virginia Junior Cotillion Chapter. I am a current member of the National Honor Society, and graduated with a GPA of 4.19, and member of the International Thespian Society, and President of the Mythology Club. This scholarship will help me to pursue a history major and theatre minor at a small college that empowers students. I chose Shenandoah because it is a tremendous learning institution, and it enables me the opportunity to expand my community outreach actions beyond our town. I cannot wait to take what I have learned and will learn at college, then put it all into action as a leader, mentor, providing unselfish service to Nation. Whether selected or not for this scholarship, thank you to the Cochener Family for providing this scholarship opportunity in honor of John Young to students like me seeking self-improvement and service to their Nation!

My name is Andrew O. Starr II, and I am recent honors graduate from Woodgrove high school, Purcellville, Virginia, and I will be attending Shenandoah University in the Fall of 2024. I am a young patriot who believes in putting service of community ahead of self, and I learned that from my father who served and protected our Nation as a Unites States Marine for 29 years. At the age of seven I was bestowed the title of Honorary Marine, only the Ninety-Seventh individual to earn this honor since the Corps founding in 1775. My goal was to be the fourth generation in our family to serve our country, however I was born with a neurological disorder, NF1. It is a lifelong disability where tumors can develop and grow on nerves anywhere throughout your body. It also impacts ones fine - gross motor skills, and executive function. I went through years of OT/PT, and chemotherapy to kill a few brain tumors along the way. Beating back my illness helped me to recognize my desire to help others and motivated me to make a difference. As part of my recovery process, my parents got me involved in Special Olympics in 2014, initially participating in swimming. Even though it was extremely difficult and physically demanding, I loved the freedom and joy I felt participating in sports. Once in the water, I felt equal and no different than my peers. I learned to overcome fears and anxiety so I could learn to execute dives from the blocks and flip turns. Since 2015, through my efforts and my coaches, I have earned eighteen – Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals at Special Olympics’ State Games, swimming, volleyball, basketball, and bocce. I have been a volunteer, and assistant to the coaches for volleyball and swimming. I am being nominated to be the Global Messenger for Special Olympics Class of 2026, doing speaking engagements and community outreach. Sports and coaches gave me the confidence and courage to tryout my senior year for the Varsity swim team. Even though I did not win an individual event or relay, I helped my team earn critical points in events to carry the team to multiple victories based on overall points won. My leadership and support of my teammates earned me the Coach’s award of the year, 2023/24. I am a very diligent student, who is dedicated to service in the community and school. I have been a Teacher Assistant for AP Human Geography at Woodgrove High School and student assistant to the Director of the Northern Virginia Junior Cotillion Chapter. I am a current member of the National Honor Society, and maintain a GPA of 4.2, between my studies at High School and Academies of Loudoun – MATA. I am a member of the International Thespian Society and was President of the Mythology Club. This scholarship will help me to pursue a history major/theatre minor at a small private college that empowers disabled students. I chose Shenandoah because it is an institution that strives to support my medical accommodations; housing, speech to text for assignments, modified testing, lecture notes, and extended time. I am confident my pursue of higher education will afford me opportunities to expand my community outreach actions beyond our town. I cannot wait to take what I have learned and will learn at college, then put it all into action as a leader, mentor, providing unselfish service to Nation. Whether selected or not for this scholarship, thank you Robert and Suzi DeGennaro for providing this opportunity to students like me seeking self-improvement and service over their disabilities!

My name is Andrew O. Starr II, and I am recent honors graduate from Woodgrove high school, Purcellville, Virginia, and I will be attending Shenandoah University in the Fall of 2024. I am a young patriot who believes in putting service of community ahead of self, and I learned that from my father who served and protected our Nation as a Unites States Marine for 29 years. At the age of seven I was bestowed the title of Honorary Marine, only the Ninety-Seventh individual to earn this honor since the Corps founding in 1775. My goal was to be the fourth generation in our family to serve our country, however I was born with a neurological disorder, NF1. It is a lifelong disability where tumors can develop and grow on nerves anywhere throughout your body. It also impacts ones fine - gross motor skills, and executive function. I went through years of OT/PT, and chemotherapy to kill a few brain tumors along the way. Beating back my illness helped me to recognized my desire to help others and motivated me to make a difference. Therefore, I decided to promote service and the core values of the Marine Corps in our community through public service. As part of my recovery process, my parents got me involved in Special Olympics in 2014, initially participating in swimming. Even though it was extremely difficult and physically demanding, I loved the freedom and joy I felt participating in sports. Once in the water, I felt equal and no different than my peers. I learned to overcome fears and anxiety so I could learn to execute dives from the blocks and flip turns. In 2019 my dad sought out a sports mentor to help me with my conditioning, and the mental aspect of competition. Ahmed Ragheb (US weightlifting Olympian) works with athletes who suffer from neurological injuries, so he understood how to train and strengthen my core, and most importantly my confidence. Since 2015, through my efforts and my coaches, I have earned eighteen – Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals at Special Olympics’ State Games; swimming, volleyball, basketball, and bocce. I have been a volunteer, mentor, assistant to the coaches for volleyball and swimming. I am being nominated to be the Global Messenger for Special Olympics Class of 2026, doing speaking engagement to promote community outreach. Sports and coaches gave me the confidence and courage to tryout my senior year for the Varsity swim team. It has been the best year of my life! Even though I did not win an individual event or relay, I helped my team earn critical points in events to carry the team to multiple victories based on overall points won. My leadership and support of my teammates did not go unnoticed, as I earned Coach’s award of the year, 2023/24. I am a very diligent student, who is dedicated to service in the community and school. I have been a Teacher Assistant for AP Human Geography at Woodgrove High School and student assistant to the Director of the Northern Virginia Junior Cotillion Chapter. I am a current member of the National Honor Society, and maintain a GPA of 4.2, between my studies at Woodgrove high school and Academies of Loudoun – MATA, where I earn my certificate as a Certified Fundamentalist Cook in Culinary. I am a member of the International Thespian Society, and President of the Mythology Club, which I spearhead at school. This scholarship will help me to pursue a history major and theatre minor. I chose Shenandoah because it is a tremendous learning institution, and it enables me the opportunity to expand my current community outreach actions beyond our town and Virginia Special Olympics. I cannot wait to take what I have learned and going to learn at Shenandoah, then putting it all into action as a leader, mentor, providing unselfish service to community and country. Whether I am selected or not for this great honor, thank you to the Treye Knorr Memorial Scholarship and family for providing scholarship awards to students like myself seeking self-improvement and a great role in my community.

My name is Andrew O. Starr II, and I am a senior at Woodgrove high school, Purcellville, Virginia, and I will be attending Shenandoah University, Fall of 2024. I am a young patriot who believes in putting service of community ahead of self, and I learned that from my father who served and protected our Nation as a Unites States Marine for 29 years. At the age of seven I was bestowed the title of Honorary Marine, only the Ninety-Seventh individual to earn this honor since the Corps founding in 1775. My goal was to be the fourth generation in our family to serve our country, however I was born with a neurological disorder, NF1. It is a lifelong disability where tumors can develop and grow on nerves anywhere throughout your body. It also impacts ones fine - gross motor skills, and executive function. I went through years of OT/PT, and chemotherapy to kill a few brain tumors along the way. The Marine Corps helped me in my fight to live, recognized my desire to help others and encouraged me to make a difference. Therefore, I decided to promote service and the core values of the Marine Corps in our community through public service. I believe my drive, passion, and tenacity to excel in the classroom and community comes from the example my generational family has set for me, patriots called to arms to support and defend our great nation in times of war. My great grandfather left home at 16 years old and enlisted in the Army at the start of WWI, however when they discovered he was not truthful about his age, he was promptly discharged. A year later undeterred, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was stationed in Quantico, Virginia, and volunteer for an experimental mission, “lighter than air ballon” reconnaissance platoon. My grandfather and his brothers volunteered and for Service at the start of WWII. Like my dad, none were drafted, they volunteered to service this great nation at times of conflict. My dad was different, as he stayed on active duty for multiple wars and times of peace, retiring after 29 years of service. I learned from my dad that hard work pays off, and we should respect those who serve in the military, including their families who sacrificed many moving across the globe to protect our freedoms at home. I have taken what I have learned from my family’s military service and transformed that into helping others in my community. Initially, my parents encourage me to participate in Special Olympics and Cotillion starting in 6th grade. Since 2015, through my efforts and my coaches, I have earned eighteen – Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals at Special Olympics’ State Games, swimming, volleyball, basketball, and bocce. I am a volunteer, mentor, assistant to the coaches for volleyball and swimming. I am being nominated to be the Global Messenger for Special Olympics Class of 2026, doing speaking engagement to promote community outreach. Scholarships’ will help me to pursue a history major and theatre minor. I chose Shenandoah because it is a tremendous learning institution, and it enables me the opportunity to expand my current community outreach actions beyond our town and Virginia Special Olympics. I cannot wait to take what I have learned and going to learn at Shenandoah, then putting it all into action as a leader, mentor, providing unselfish service to community and country. Whether I am selected or not for this great honor, thank you to the James T. Godwin Foundation and family for providing scholarship awards to students like me seeking self-improvement.

NF1 has impacted my family from birth, it is a lifelong battle, that requires a team of doctors and daily support from my family. I will not let NF1 define me, I have learned I must work harder, longer, and smarter to achieve my goals. School was not easy growing up, and the teachers did not understand NF1. I needed accommodations to learn, and some kids bullied me in elementary school because I was different. My parents worked hard to get me accommodations, educate the teachers, and taught me to advocate for myself. I went from a struggling student that did not want to go to school, to an honor roll student and National Honor Society inductee. I applied and was one of thirty-eight high school students from my county to earn a spot to the Academies of Loudoun – for culinary arts, and I was selected student of the quarter. With NF1 I have had to learn to adapt to succeed; accept and use accommodations, and not to be embarrassed about using or asking for them. I have learned I must advocate that my tests be modified so I am not overwhelmed with more information than I can process. I make sure I have speech to text, read aloud, and notes provided. I am going to attend Shenandoah University to pursue a history major and theatre minor. I chose Shenandoah for two reasons; it is a tremendous school, and it provides me the opportunity to expand my community outreach actions. I will always be impacted physically, emotionally, and medically by NF1, I won’t let it bring me down. What motivates me: beating NF1, being a patriot and living my passion for history and teaching others through education. I believe in putting service of community ahead of self. At age of seven I was bestowed the title of Honorary Marine, only the 97th individual to earn this honor since the Corps founding in 1775. My goal was to be the fourth generation in our family to serve, however I was born with NF1, and had to beat a few brain tumors along the way. If I am going to help others, I cannot let my disease hold me back. It was not easy at first, but over time I gained courage, and confidence to participate rather than staying home in my “comfort zone.” My parents encourage me to join Special Olympics and Cotillion. In high school I have been a student assistant to Director for Northern Virginia Junior Cotillion Chapter the last four years. My leadership, and commitment to helping other Special Olympic athletes and coaches has resulted in me being nominated to be Global Messenger, Class of 2026. I am a worthy candidate for Dylan’s Memorial Scholarship because I embody and demonstrate Dylan’s strongest character traits of courage and perseverance. I have learned to be patient, do not quit, or get angry. I am willing to adapt to figure out how best to help others in my school or community. My work ethic, communication skills and dedication help me to be selected as a Teacher Assistant for AP Human Geography for my senior year at Woodgrove High School. As a NF1 survivor, I must be brave and show others who we are and that we can contribute equally. Whether I am selected or not for this honor, I thank you for supporting higher education. Knowing others are passionately promoting and helping students with learning disabilities pursue higher education is motivational for me and others to step up our actions and make a difference now!