The Walter Tylinski Memorial Scholarship
This speech was originally given on May 27, 2003 at Bakersfield High School's Financial Awards Assembly. I have deleted the recipient's name for their privacy. Tonight I am here representing my family in presenting the Walter Tylinski Memorial Scholarship. My father was a decorated veteran who was always interested in, and proud of, my achievements as a boy. When I attended BHS's AFJROTC program from 1993 to 1997, my success in that program was not only a success for me, but also a
source of pride for my father.Last summer, my father died unexpectedly. My mother and I knew that flowers would be both totally out of character for him, and would be a waste of resources put to better use. Recalling my father's desire for me to always further my education, and his belief in the success of the AFJROTC program in promoting not only my own virtues, but the virtues of those he saw in the program alongside me, my mother and I decided there could be no more fitting tribute to ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to BHS's own CA-891 Cadet Group.
It has been less than a year since his death, but already that choice is bearing fruit. I am proud, as my father would be, that something more beneficial than flowers has been planted and grows in his memory. Tonight we present the Walter Tylinski Memorial Scholarship to [the recipient]. Congratulations.