Memorial Day was Monday, but one military family from Cheshire has reason to celebrate today.
They have been chosen for a new scholarship at a prestigious West Hartford prep school. The Tallwood Warriors Scholarship was dreamed up just before Veteran’s Day in 2012 and now it is a reality. The scholarship provides a free education at the Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford to the son or daughter of a military family. After a search and vetting process, the recipient is 11-year-old Riley Gravel.
Riley’s dad is Major Mark Gravel, a 22 year veteran of the Connecticut National Guard who served in Iraq from 2006 to 2007.
“The opportunity to come here and actually thrive in an environment that would give him the greatest opportunity in life is just something we’re eternally grateful for,” said Major Gravel.
Riley, who will enter Kingswood’s sixth grade class in the fall said, “The whole idea of coming here, it’s pretty awesome.”
Dennis Bisgaard, the head of school at Kingswood Oxford said, “I know the family is very appreciative of our school, but we are really appreciative of the family and certainly of the military at large.”
The Tallwood Warriors Scholarship at Kingswood is funded by an anonymous donor and it will cover Riley’s schooling from 6th grade through 12th grade.
“We are just blessed,” added Major Gravel.
Anyone wanting to donate to future Tallwood Warriors Scholarships can get more information by clicking http://www.kingswoodoxford.org/page.cfm?p=2903