Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents (DEAFNA) Foundation Scholarship
Each of the Six DEAFNA Regions will grant a $2,500.00 scholarship to the selectee
The application period is from: January 1, 2024 to April 1, 2024
Qualification Requirements • The Scholarship is only open to children and grandchildren of the National DEAFNA Members.
• Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who are entering the first year of an accredited institution of higher learning.
• Applicants must have participated in extracurricular activities/programs.
• All required documentation must be submitted by April 1, 2024.
See below former scholarship winners and the many generous donors who endowed the scholarships.
Marty Maguire, AFNA Scholarship Coordinator, asked to share the below:
Once again, the AFNA Scholarship Committee received an amazing group of 2023 applications from an outstanding field of candidates. We received submissions from college hopefuls whose majors were projected in biochemistry, the military, pediatric neurology, law enforcement, and everywhere in between. All candidates were truly inspiring in their work ethic, extra curricular activities, and community service. The committee chose to recognize the following 2023 candidates for their extraordinary accomplishments.
Scholarship information, and past scholarship winners, can be found on the membership only side of the AFNA website www.afna.org under SCHOLARSHIP PGM.
North East Region Winner-Caroline Ann Kelly
Sponsor-Vin Kelly (Father)
Endowed by Larry McElynn
In Memory of LCPL Thomas J. McElynn, USMC
Mid-Atlantic Region Winner- Kalina Frick
Sponsor- Tom Frick (Father)
Jerry Rinehart Scholarship
Endowed by The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation
South East Region Winner- Tyler Kowitzke
Sponsor- Brian Kowitzke (Father)
Jerry Rinehart Scholarship
Endowed by The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation
North Central Region Winner- Charlie Soltys
Sponsor- Chuck Soltys (Father)
Endowed by Bob and Margaret Nieves
In Memory of Harold and Margaret Wilfert
South Central Region Winner-Ryan Furay
Sponsor – William Furay (Father)
Endowed by the DEA Educational Foundation
Presentation left to right: Tom Mangiamele Acting DEA ASAC, San Antonio District Office, William (Bill) Furay DEA ASAC (Ret.), AFNA Member, RyanFuray (recipient),
and Michael Sanders AFNA Vice President South Central Region.Left to right: William (Bill) Furay, Luke Furay,RyanFuray (recipient), Jake Furay, and Kristin Lentini Furay. Attending via Zoom left to right- Scholarship Coordinator Martin Maguire, AFNA Executive Director Bea Craig, AFNA Foundation Larry McElynn,
DEA Educational Rep Danny Staffieri, AFNA President Dan Salter.
Western Region Winner- Keira Adams
Sponsor- Kevin Adams (Father)
Gary Elliot Scholarship
Endowed by Tom Raffanello
Presentation on May 26, 2023. From Left to right- El Paso SAC Greg Millard, Keira Adams, and Mom Nichole Adams. Attending via Zoom from left to right- Keira Adams, AFNA Executive Director Bea Craig, AFNA Scholarship Coordinator Martin Maguire, President of the AFNA Foundation Larry McElynn, and father Kevin Adams, DEA ASAC Las Vegas.
Marty Maguire, AFNA Foundation Scholarship Coordinator, asked to share the below:
The 2022 AFNA Foundation Scholarship winners have been chosen. Again this year, we had an outstanding group of applicants nationally. All the applicants were amazing students, athletes, and community service leaders. Their parents and grandparents can truly be proud of having raised such fine future leaders of our communities. It is also worthy to note that this year the scholarships have been endowed by many generous donors who are recognized below.
Winners of the 2022 AFNA Foundation Scholarships are the following:
Northeast Region
Split scholarship
Endowed by Mark Goldstein
In Memoriam: Joseph and Rose Goldstein
Isabelle Hoffman
(Sponsor Andrew Hoffman, Father)
From left to right are RAC Rodney George, recipient Isabelle Hoffman, ASAC Andrew Hoffman (father) and VP Marty Maguire. Mr. Goldstein was also present on Zoom. Isabelle will be attending Muhlenberg College in PA.
Endowed by Mark Goldstein
In Memoriam: Raymond G. Boglioli
Kerry Guinee
(Sponsor Paul Doyle, Grandfather)
AFNA New England Chapter President, Paul Doyle, presented the scholarship check to his granddaughter, Kerry Guinee. Mark Goldstein, who endowed the scholarship in memory of his father in law, Raymond G. Bogolio, and AFNA Northeast Region VP, Marty Maguire, attended via zoom.
Mid-Atlantic Region
Jerry Rinehart Scholarship
Endowed by The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation
Simonne Lenseigne
(Sponsor Joe Lenseigne, Father)
On July 17, 2022, AFNA Mid-Atlantic VP Rich Fiano and National Treasurer Larry Gallina presented the 2022 AFNA Jerry Rhinehart Memorial Scholarship check to Simonne Lenseigne in Great Falls, VA. Just prior to the presentation, a zoom call including Stacy Rhinehart (Jerry’s daughter), AFNA member Mark Bauman (a collegue and longtime friend of Jerry’s and representing the Finker Foundation) and Marty Maguire (Chair of the AFNA Scholarship Committee) had a chance to speak with Simonne about her accomplishments and future plans. Simonne will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall.
Pictured L – R Larry Gallina, Simonne Lenseigne, Dad Joe Lenseigne, Mom Libby Lenseigne and Rich Fiano
Southeast Region
Jerry Rinehart Scholarship
Endowed by The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation
Sabrina Bonavita
(Sponsor John Costanzo, Grandfather)
North Central Region
LexisNexis Scholarship
In Honor of Howard Safir
For 40 years of Dedicated Service
Danny Wood
(Sponsor Don Wood, Father)
South Central Region
Split Scholarship
Endowed by John Varrone
SAIC (Ret.)
US Customs Service
JD Nattinger
(Sponsor John Nattinger, Grandfather)
From left to right: John and Cookie Nattinger (grandparents), JD Nattinger, Amanda and Travis Nattinger (parents) and Reagan, sister.
From left to right: JD Miller, AFNA VP South Central Region, JD Nattinger, and Travis Nattinger.
Endowed by Robert Nieves
Chief (Ret.)
International Operations
USDEA
In Memoriam
Randolph Nieves and Maria Arvonio
Rachel Seay
(Sponsor James Seay, Grandfather)
Presentation of the award
Western Region
Rich Gorman Scholarship
Endowed by Tom Raffanello
SAIC (Ret.)
Miami Division
USDEA
Brandon Wieboldt
(Sponsor Richard Wieboldt, Father)
Marty Maguire, AFNA Scholarship Coordinator, asked to share the below:
The 2021 AFNA Foundation Scholarship winners have been chosen. Once again we had an outstanding pool of candidates from around the country. We had a record number of 37 total applicants this year for the six AFNA regional scholarships ( MA-8; NE-8; W-5,SE-7,C-3;SC-6). All the applicants were truly fine young men and women and their families are to be congratulated for raising such amazing and hard working individuals.
Two of the 6 awards are now named in honor of Jerry Rinehart through a benefactor. AFNA Foundation President John Costanzo asked to include the following:
The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation, a family-run charitable organization dedicated to creating a generational legacy of giving has contributed to the AFNA Foundation Scholarship Fund.The Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation’s recent contribution to the Foundation was made on behalf of Mr. Jerry Rinehart, a retired DEA Special Agent and a close friend of the Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation founder and director Dr. Lazar “Lonya” Finker. Mr. Rinehart passed away after a battle with brain cancer in late 2020. Using the funds donated by the Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation, AFNA has established two Jerry Rinehart Scholarships in Mr. Rinehart’s honor. These scholarships are awarded to the applicants submitted from the AFNA Mid Atlantic and Southeast Regions* as Mr. Rinehart is originally from West Virginia and served numerous years in the Jacksonville RO.
The AFNA 2021 Scholarship Award Winners
(photos below)
Northeast Region Winner
-split $2500-
John Deignan (sponsor Thomas Deignan, Father)
and
Aaron Kelly (sponsor Vincent Kelly, Father)
Mid Atlantic Region Winners
Brooke Hewitt (sponsor Earl Hewitt, Father)
*Jerry Rinehart Scholarship
Southeast Region Winner
Tessa Hansen (sponsor Don Hansen, Father)
*Jerry Rinehart Scholarship
North Central Region Winner
Katianne Soltys (sponsor Chuck Soltys, Father)
Western Region Winner
Natalia Vasquez Pavichevich (sponsor Daniel Pavichevich, Father)
Scholarship information and past scholarship winners, can be found on the membership only side of the AFNA website www.afna.org under SCHOLARSHIP PGM.
Northeast Region Winner
-split $2500-
John Deignan (sponsor Thomas Deignan, Father)
Northeast Region Winner
-split $2500-
Aaron Kelly (sponsor Vincent Kelly, Father)
Mid Atlantic Region Winners
Brooke Hewitt (sponsor Earl Hewitt, Father)
*Jerry Rinehart Scholarship
Southeast Region Winner
Tessa Hansen (sponsor Don Hansen, Father)
*Jerry Rinehart Scholarship
North Central Region Winner
Katianne Soltys ( sponsor Chuck Soltys,Father)
Western Region Winner
Natalia Vasquez Pavichevich (sponsor Daniel Pavichevich, Father)
South Central Region Winner
-Split $2500-
Alaina Donovan (sponsor Greg Donovan, Father)
South Central Region Winner
-Split $2500-
Savannah Orton (sponsor Michael Orton, Father)
THE 2020 AWARDS
The 2020 AFNA Foundation Scholarship winners have been chosen.
Once again we had an outstanding pool of candidates from around the country. We had 23 total applicants for the six AFNA regional scholarships ( MA-10; NE-5; W-4,SE-2,NC-1;SC-0). NC region had a repeat winner from 2019. Since the South Central region had no applicants, we transferred that slot over to the Mid Atlantic region where they had 10 applicants, so it was put to good use and awarded to a well deserving student.
Northeast Region Winner
Benjamin HOFFMAN (Sponsor- Father, Andrew Hoffman)
Mid Atlantic Region Winners
1- Caroline CAREY (Sponsor- Grandfather, Jerry Carey)
2- Kenna REICHNER (Sponsor- Father, Larry Reichner)
Southeast Region Winner
Juliana BONAVITA (Sponsor- Grandfather John Costanzo)
North Central Region Winner
Hanna VARENHORST-JOHNSON (Sponsor- Grandfather Harvey Varenhorst)
Western Region Winner
Abby HOYAL (Sponsor-Grandfather Ken Hoyal)
South Central Region Winner
No applicants; slot rolled over to the Mid Atlantic Region
Ben Hoffman, Northeast
Caroline Carey, Mid-Atlantic
Kenna Reichner, Mid-Atlantic
Juliana Bonavita, Southeast
Hanna Varenhorst, North Central
Abby Hoyal, Western
THE 2019 AWARDS
Western Region
Mary Kohaut (Sponsor- George Halpin)
North Central Region
Hannah Varenhorst- Johnson (Sponsor- Harvey Varenhorst)
Northeastern Region
Two Winners
Madison Pasterchick (Sponsor- Mike Pasterchick)
and
Ryan Boyle (Sponsor- Brian Boyle)
Mid Atlantic Region
Two Winner
Taylor Kibble (Sponsor- Jimmy Kibble)
and
Kelli Hodnett (Sponsor- Tom Hodnett)
South Central Region
Hannah Nieves (Sponsor- Bobby Nieves)
Southeast Region
Brianna Jordan (Sponsor-John Mudri)
THE 2018 AWARDS
AFNA is proud to announce the awardees of the Second Annual AFNA Foundation Scholarships. These scholarships are given to the deserving sons, daughters, and grandchildren of AFNA National members.This year marked the increase of the scholarship amount to $2500. It was no surprise that the amount of applications increased dramatically making the decisions for the AFNA Scholarship Committee very difficult because of the outstanding applicant pool of talent, ability, and high level of community service.
This year’s awards were given to an outstanding group of young men and women. The awardees have exhibited superior academic achievement, as well as giving of their time to assist others and supporting causes consistent with AFNA values.
Western Region Sierra Nagle, daughter of Former Special Agent Scott Nagle- Barkersfield, California
North Central Region Mark O’Reilly, son of Acting G/S Special Agent Chris O’Reilly- Chicago FD
Mid Atlantic Region Jenna Wilkerson, daughter of Former Special Agent David Wilkerson- Kentucky
South Central Region
Faith Courville, granddaughter of Former Special Agent John Nattinger- Texas
Southeast Region (which had two $1250 winners since the winning applicants were so similar in scholastic and community service achievement)
Talia Bagley, granddaughter of Former Special Agent Mike Powers- Florida
Madeline Andrews, granddaughter of Former Special Agent Pete McVean- South Carolina
The following is an excerpt from what one scholarship winner communicated to the committee which highlights the meaning of the award:
I am so excited and appreciative about being awarded the 2018 AFNA Scholarship.
I can’t tell you how valuable this scholarship is in financially helping me to make my educational dreams come true. If possible, please forward my sincere appreciation to all of the directors of AFNA and all those who were involved in the selection process. I promise I will be a good steward of this gift and thank you for your commitment in making our country safer and more drug free.
These are the awardees of the Second Annual AFNA Scholarships! All outstanding young men and women worthy of our applause!
Marty Maguire
AFNA Scholarship Chair
Mid-Atlantic Region Winner
Jenna Wilkerson- Sponsor David Wilkerson
North Central Region Winner
Mark O’Reilly- Sponsor Christopher O’Reilly
South Central Region Winner
Faith Courville- Sponsor John Nattinger (Grandfather)
Western Region Winner
Sierra Nagle- Sponsor Scott Nagle
Tie for Southeast Region Winner
Talia Bagby- Sponsor Mike Powers (Grandfather)
Tie for Southeast Region Winner
Madeline Andrews- Sponsor Peter Mc Vean ( Grandfather)
For information on the AFNA Scholarship Program
click SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM in the top menue
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The 2017 awards were given to an outstanding group of young men and women. The awardees have exhibited superior academic achievement, as well as giving their time to assist others and support causes consistent with AFNA values.
Western Region
Caroline Escobar, daughter of RAC David Escobar, Fresno Resident Office
The check was presented by Fresno RAC Chris Coleman on the left, middle is retired RAC & AFNA member David Escobar, Caroline Escobar, and her mother , Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar.
Western Region
Selina Montoya, daughter of former Special Agent Eloy Montoya- New Mexico
Northeastern Region
Quentin Pasquarello, son of former Special Agent Tom Pasquarello- Massachusetts
Mid Atlantic Region
Lauren Snyder, daughter of Special Agent Mark Snyder- Virginia
Mid-Atlantic Region
Maya Rodgers, daughter of former Special Agent Bill Rodgers- Pennsylvania
