Internal Scholarship

The Association's program for internal scholarships is open to members, crew member relatives, families, and individuals with a keen interest in the USS Houston CA-30. All application elements including the writing of an essay must be successfully completed.  Program eligibility includes those beginning their secondary education and extends through the first year  of graduate studies. The yearly award may vary since the program is funded by donations. The scholarship’s purpose is to continue to motivate interest in the story of the ship honoring the Association's mission of 'perpetuating the memory of the USS Houston CA-30'. 

Congratulations to the 2024 Internal Scholarship Winner

Avery Chambliss, granddaughter of USS Houston (CA-30) Suvivor Cecil Chambliss  

Previous internal scholarship winners:

USNA FOUNDATION PERMANENT SCHOLARSHIP

At the 2009 Reunion, the Scholarship Committee announced the establishment of a PERMANENT scholarship with the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation which will be awarded FOREVER. The USS Houston CA-30 Memorial Scholarship will be awarded at least biennially. This scholarship affords a prospective candidate to the U.S. Naval Academy a complete year of preparatory cadet school training prior to entrance into the U.S. Naval Academy. With the additional academic year, the graduation success rate for an Officer in the US Navy/Marines during the subsequent four years at the Naval Academy is significantly increased. What a fitting, everlasting memorial to the sacrifices made by the brave men of the USS Houston CA-30! We appreciate the generosity of the USS Houston CA-30 Survivors Association & Next Generations members and others who so unselfishly donated funds in the drive to establish this permanent scholarship.

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Ashley Rubiano's home town is Fayetteville, GA.  Funded by the scholarship, Ashley attended theNew Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM prior to entering her first year at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Ashley's activities include Varsity Soccer in High School, Boxing, History Club, Student Government.  She has achieved the following honors: Two varsity letters in soccer (freshman and junior years), National Technical Honors Society, National Spanish Exam (Silver Medalist).

We wish Ashley the best in her US Navy career. 

Ariel Rico is the 2020 awardee of 'The USS Houston CA-30 Memorial Scholarship' administered by the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, Inc. and sponsored by the 'USS Houston (CA-30) Survivors’ Association and Next Generations®'. He is a graduate of Duncanville High School, Duncanville, TX and with the scholarship attended the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM.

While in High School his activities included being the founder and President of the Math Club, National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society. He achieved Gold medals at SkillsUSA Related Technical Math competition at both the District and Sate levels. He also achieved Gold and Silver medals in UIL Science Competition.

At the Naval Academy he intends to follow the curriculum requirement to get a degree in Cyber Operations. He also intends to participate in Club Boxing as well as several other different club activities.

The USS HOUSTON CA-30 Memorial Scholar, recipient of a scholarship established by the USS HOUSTON CA-30 Survivors Association in memory of the ship and her men, “Still Standing Watch Over Sunda Strait,” is Megan Cessna. A Suma Cum Laude graduate from Ross S. Sterling High School in Baytown, Texas, Megan is attending Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas as a Foundation scholarship recipient. Some of her achievements include:
Starting First Baseman and Team Captain of the Varsity Softball team.
Drum Major of the Sterling Silver Spectacular Marching Band.
National Honor Society.
Girl Scout for ten years.
Has actively played tournament softball

Our sincere congratulations go out to Megan Cessna, our 5th scholarship recipient from the US Naval Academy!

The USS HOUSTON CA-30 Memorial Scholar, recipient of a scholarship established by the USS HOUSTON CA-30 Survivors Association in memory of the ship and her men, “Still Standing Watch Over Sunda Strait,” is Evan S. Hovenden, a graduate of John Horn High School in Mesquite, TX.  Evan lettered all four years with the swim team and was captain his junior and senior years.  He also participated in the school orchestra and was a member of National Honor Society and a group leader for freshman orientation.  Outside of school, he swam on the RACE club team and participated in his youth group at Lakeside Baptist Church.  With the church youth group, he took part in World Changers mission trips.  Under Foundation sponsorship this year, Evan attended Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX.

Our sincere congratulations go out to Evan Hovenden, our 4th scholarship recipient from the US Naval Academy!

Currently serving as a Naval Officer

The USS Houston CA-30 Memorial Scholarship

The 2013 US Naval Scholarship winner is Robert Z. Sutherland.  This memorial scholarship was established by the USS Houston CA-30 Survivors Association in memory of the ship and her men. 

Robert graduated from Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas.  Robert was a four-year varsity swimmer and water polo athlete.  During his four year career as a swimmer, he set four school records and acquired two 1st Team All-State selections, two 2nd Team All-State selections, a Regional record, two District Swimmer of the Year titles as well as the title of team Captain his junior and senior years.  In Water Polo, he accumulated four 1st Team All-Region selections, a 2nd and 1st Team All-State selection, two regional MVP titles, and was team captain his sophomore, junior and senior years.  Robert was also a Boy Scout where he spent two years as a Patrol Leader along with being a Life Guard and swim instructor at his local water park.

Robert attended The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.  He was selected to 1st Team All Eastern Prep in water polo, and was named Player of the Year by his teammates.  He was able to crack the all-time top ten times in the 200 I.M. on the swim team.

Our sincere congratulations go out to Robert Sutherland, our 3rd scholarship recipient from the US Naval Academy!

Currently serving as a Naval Officer

The USS Houston CA-30 Memorial Scholarship

The USS Houston CA-30 Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship established by the USS Houston CA-30 Survivors Association in memory of the ship and her men "Still Standing Watch Over Sunda Strait" is Lenue Gilchrist, III from San Antonio, TX, a graduate from Randolph High School in San Antonio, TX. His parents are both Air Force Officers and spent his childhood in numerous different locations. Lenue earned ten varsity letters, four track, four cross country and two basketball. He earned various recognitions in all sports and served as team captain on each team his senior year. Lenue attended Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA, this year under Foundation sponsorship.

Currently serving as a Naval Officer.

The USS Houston CA-30 Memorial Scholarship, established by the Houston CA-30 Survivors Association in memory of the ship and her men, "Still Standing Watch Over Sunda Strait," is Stephen J. Scales, a graduate of Texas High School in Texarkana, TX. Stephen graduated Magna Cum Laude, a distinguished graduate and scholar. Stephen was a member of the National Honor Society, Calculus Club, Chess Club, Risk Club, Senior Student Council, Tiger Vision, UIL Science Team, Varsity Soccer and Swin Team. He was awarded the Most Scholastic Academic All State for soccer. He was nominated for the National Society of High School Scholars to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence, and Diplomacy. He was selected as Who's Who Among American High School Students. Stephen was a member of the Fellowship Bible Church in Texarkana, TX, where he taught and served with Project Serve and Young Life. Stephen attended Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX, in 2009 under Foundation sponsorship. He made the President's List and was Vice-President of Greystone Prep School.

Currently serving as a Naval Officer

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