This student has demonstrated leadership abilities both inside and outside of school. In particular, he discusses how he plans to utilize his education to improve his community. Lance, joins a community of talented and inspiring students. In the years to come, it will be fascinating to see how the develops and shapes his community.
Lance Bokinskie
Lance Bokinskie, began reading at four years old. Homeschooled by his mother through the seventh grade, Lance recognizes how during these early educational years, his mother awakened in him a thirst for knowledge, a love of literature, and the drive to succeed that serves him to this day.
Lance is the recipient of the Marc Whitehead & Associates 2022 Frances & Earl Perry Memorial Veterans Scholarship. Previously enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, Lance served for five years and deployed twice. In recognition of his military accomplishments during this time, he was considered for meritorious promotion to the rank of Sergeant. In 2019, he was selected as the Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, out of just over 1,000 candidates.
While stationed in Hawaii, Lance spent extensive time volunteering for 5K and 10K fundraising runs to assist the physically disabled and homeless populations there. He also volunteered with the Special Olympics Committee Events for Hawaii for several years.
“Serving these people and their families was truly some of the most fulfilling actions I’ve taken,” says Lance. “It helped inform and expand my knowledge of the beautiful and impactful lives these individuals lead, and serving them was the highlight of my time in that uniform. Service to these communities is an action I intend to sustain for the rest of my life.”
Lance recalls his experience living with his unit in Hawaii, where in certain disadvantaged communities people were trying to raise families in very poor living conditions. He explains, “That experience opened my eyes to the realities some people live with. I wouldn’t have had that exposure if I hadn’t been participating in some of those fundraising runs and events. These experiences were crucial to preparing me to be successful on deployment when I was communicating with people with very different backgrounds and frames of reality than me.”
In 2019, Lance separated from the Marine Corps and moved to Texas to pursue higher education. But he temporarily put aside those plans for education to go to work full time to provide for family needs. Employed by Lowes Home Improvement as a customer service associate, within nine months Lance was promoted to department supervisor over two departments.
His time spent in the civilian workforce helped him realize that his life’s purpose is service. Lance believes the best way he can serve will be back in uniform. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about how best to get to a place where I can serve in the widest capacity and to the greatest effect. I know that sounds a little bit grandiose – I promise that the heart it comes from is not.”
Lance will attend the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in political science with a minor in Russian language. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career with the United States Special Operations Command. Says Lance, “I have chosen this path because I am following my passion, to protect and serve those I love. I have also chosen it because I owe my mother much more than money, or a house, or comfort can ever repay.”
Lance admits it’s hard for him to take time off and just relax. For this, he relies on the support of his fiancée, Jessica. In their free time, they enjoy reading and working on various woodworking and furniture restoration projects.
“I hope to express to the folks at Marc Whitehead & Associates law firm, how receiving this scholarship – and the whole scholarship process – has been a bigger blessing than I can say,” asserts Lance. “At this stage of life and with life’s uncertainties, I’m very grateful.”
We wish Lance the very best and look forward to hearing about his exciting path to higher education. We have no doubt he will attain outstanding success in all of his future endeavors!
You can learn more about our scholarships and other resources online at College Scholarship.
Terms and Conditions:
Entry materials will not be returned to you. By submitting an entry for the Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship, you acknowledge that if you become a scholarship recipient, Marc Whitehead & Associates will own all rights to publish and promote the submission.
Publicity:
All applicants agree that they consent to the use of their name and city/state of residence, as well to the use of their likeness (as in a photograph) and award information.
Marc Whitehead & Associates’ RIGHT TO MODIFY, SUSPEND OR TERMINATE. In the event Marc Whitehead & Associates is prevented from continuing with the Scholarship Program by any event beyond its reasonable control, then Marc Whitehead & Associates shall have the right in its sole discretion to modify or terminate the Scholarship Program.
