The Palm Springs Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) held its annual scholarship and leadership awards program at the Vue Grille & Bar in Indian Wells on April 18. The ceremony recognizes the top high school Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets in the Coachella Valley.
Three $2,500 college scholarships were awarded to cadets who have demonstrated academic and leadership achievement in their respective JROTC units during the past year.
The first scholarship, in honor of Cpl. Hunter Lopez who was killed in the Afghanistan airport bombing in 2021, was contributed by Celeste and John Schleimer of Indian Wells and presented to Cadet Andrew Ho of the Air Force JROTC program at La Quinta High School.
The top female cadet, Yulissa Lopez of the Marine Corps JROTC at Desert Hot Springs High School, was presented the Celeste and John Schleimer Scholarship.
“We feel very committed that we need to support our Junior ROTC programs here in the valley, and that’s why we’ve decided to fund those two scholarships, says Schleimer, a former Army captain and helicopter pilot in Vietnam in 1968-69 who also served five years in the California Army National Guard. “The chapter has been funding scholarships for 10 or 15 years, I think. The chapter itself was doing two scholarships a year before my wife, Celeste, and I became involved three years ago.”
The CWO4 Robert Ramirez, USN, Ret. Scholarship was presented to Cadet Benjamin Ho of the Air Force JROTC program, also of La Quinta High School. Andrew and Benjamin are the first twin brothers to win these scholarships.
Col. Duke Frey, 1st vice president of the chapter, presented the JROTC Leadership medals, which were given to Cadet Leilla Trejo of Desert Hot Springs High School and Cadet Christopher Rios of La Quinta High School.
Schleimer, the chapter’s president, introduced Mayor Pro Tem Glenn Miller of Indio, who is the Coachella Valley field representative for Congressman Ken Calvert, R-Corona. Miller presented the honorees’ congressional proclamations.
Felipe Ortiz, who is the field representative for Assemblymember Greg Wallis, R-Bermuda Dunes, presented the honorees proclamations from the California State Assembly.
Also in attendance at the luncheon were La Quinta Mayor Linda Evans and councilmembers Kathleen Fitzpatrick and Deborah McGarey.
In addition to presenting scholarships and leadership recognition to cadets in the Coachella Valley, the Palm Springs Chapter also promotes the aims of the national MOAA; furthers legislation and services in support of retired and veteran military officers; and encourages camaraderie among active, retired and former officers.
The chapter meets every third Thursday of the month, October through May. For more information about the organization or membership, contact LTC Jim LaBaugh at (949) 212-1900.
