DoDEA HQ Office of Communications

4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350-1400

The DoDEA Communications Office initiates and manages DoDEA's communications and outreach efforts worldwide. The office coordinates press relations, internal information programs and communication with students, parents, teachers, school administrators and the public.

The HQ Communications Office:

Issues news releases and media advisories about DoDEA initiatives, employees and programs Produces video and television promotional and informational products marketed worldwide Maintains the DoDEA web site Designs printed promotional and informational material and graphic artwork to accompany publications, promotions and initiatives

For Immediate Release — April 26, 2011 | HQ
: DoDEA Educational Communications Officer | (703) 588-3260   •   : DoDEA Educational Communications Officer | (703) 588-3272

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — April 26, 2011 — Three Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) students were named National Merit Scholarship Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

The three DoDEA National Merit Scholarship Finalists are:

  • Cody J. Pumper, Guam High School, in Guam
  • Benjamin A. Bigelow, Brussels American School, in Belgium
  • Maria A. Perry, SHAPE American High School, in Belgium

The students, who are all high school seniors, are eligible to compete for the National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, the College-sponsored Merit Scholarships and the Additional College-sponsored Merit Scholarships.

To become a Finalist, a student must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student's earlier performance on the qualifying test. The Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes the student's self-descriptive essay and information about the Semifinalist's participation and leadership in school and community activities.

Established in 1955, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. Since its founding, NMSC has recognized 2.8 million students and provided over 350,000 scholarships worth more than $1.4 billion.

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for Department of Defense (DoD) dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality, public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, the United States, Cuba, Guam, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.

For more information about the National Merit Scholarship Program, visit the website at: http://www.nationalmerit.org.