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The Fort Knox Area chapter of the Military Officers Association of America encourages eligible students to apply for their merit-based scholarships for graduating seniors.

“Our scholarship is available to graduating seniors attending the local high schools,” said Fort Knox Area MOAA Scholarship Chairman Dick Ardisson. “That would be Fort Knox, Hardin, Meade, and LaRue counties, Elizabethtown Independent, Faith Homeschool, and North Hardin Christian School. So we cover all the high schools in our service area.”

Applicants must be a family member of an active duty, Guard, or reserve military service member; a family member of a 20-year or medically retired or deceased active duty, Guard, or reserve service member; or the grandson or granddaughter of a retired active duty, Guard, or reserve service member. Rank of service member is not a factor.

Ardisson said the available scholarships are a great opportunity.

“We’re giving out $14,500 in scholarships this year, and that includes one for $3,000, one for $2,500, two for $2,000, and two for $1,500, and as we did a couple years ago one of our sister organizations, the Military Order of the World Wars, is also putting up a $1,500 scholarship, so we’ve got a grand total of $16,000 in scholarships available spread across eight scholarships.” Ardisson said.

The deadline to apply for the MOAA scholarships is coming up near the end of this month.

“The scholarship applications were sent to the high school counselors at those high schools that I mentioned early in January, and the suspense date to have them postmarked is the 29th of March,” Ardisson said.

Check with your guidance counselor’s office for more information.

Baptist Health Hardin recently partnered with area law enforcement and first responders to present a live overdose simulation at area high schools which has been seen by more than 7,000 students.

“After the simulation, we then had a panel where education was given to the students, and then after that panel we played a video testimonial because the overdose was based on a Central Hardin student who had graduated and passed back in 2021,” said Baptist Health Hardin Community Health and Wellness Manager Erin Priddy. 

Area parents and community members will get a chance to see the presentation seen by students and talk with a panel at a community overdose simulation set for 6 p.m. on March 18 at the Hardin County Performing Arts Center.

Priddy said the simulation and panel are not just a scare tactic, but an opportunity to show the impact of the situation. Similarly, the presentation for adults on the 18th is a reminder for parents.

“I think it is important for parents to understand,” Priddy said. “I know that a lot of times parents get busy, but this is going to give a lot of information on some things that parents need to look out for, and I think the most important thing is remembering that don’t think your child couldn’t get involved in something like this. Just come out and hear the information and hear what we have to say.”

Baptist Health Hardin says the presentation on the 18th contains content for mature audiences and is intended for adults 18 and over. No advanced registration is required to attend. Contact Baptist Health Hardin for more information.

Traditionally, those who donate to the Army Emergency Relief Campaign are military-affiliated, which is where the organization’s motto “Soldiers Helping Soldiers” comes from, but all are welcome to contribute to Fort Knox’s AER Campaign which is now under way.

“It’s a program designed to provide financial assistance to soldiers and their family members in a time of need,” said Fort Knox Garrison Commander Colonel Christopher Ricci. “This year’s campaign is set to run from March 1 to June 1.”

The program was established more than 80 years ago and supports soldiers and their families in a variety of ways.

“The Fort Knox AER program alone helped 447 soldiers and their families last year with over $746,000 in assistance,” said Ricci. “That included 206 grants, 224 loans, and 17 grant loan combinations, as well as scholarships totaling $344,000 for more than 100 spouses and children of soldiers.”

Learn more and donate by visiting www.armyemergencyrelief.org.