Constintine Lopez is the recipient of our $1,000 award. After growing up in a poor, gang-riddled neighborhood where he at times lived on the streets, Constintine enlisted in the US Marine Corps seeking a way to make the most of himself. As a Marine, he served a total of seven years and completed three tours of duty in Iraq. Although dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an everyday struggle for him, Constintine returned to civilian life where he realized he had a passion for art. In addition to his responsibilities to his family and job, Constintine is also a full-time student at the prestigious Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

In his own words, "...I plan to pursue a career in teaching because I believe the greatest career I can have is to enlighten children, adults and anyone with an open mind to create. I hope to continue my journey not only by helping other citizens of my country as a positive role model of success, but by also helping those who are battling drug and alcohol addiction."

Frank Wells is one of our $250 award recipients. Frank spent eight years in the Navy and served with distinction in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Honorably discharged in 2005, he was quickly immersed in his college education with hopes of transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles. However, the sudden death of his younger brother earlier this year postponed those plans as it turned his world upside-down. Inspired by his late brother's work as an actor, Frank began to pursue filmmaking as a way to have a positive impact on others.

In his scholarship essay he states, "I am determined to become a respected filmmaker who opens minds, exposes corruption and helps heal our world." Frank is now a full-time film student at San Diego City College. He is also an intern with the San Diego Film Commission.

Thomas Hines is our second $250 recipient. He explains, "I joined the US military in search of many things... but most importantly, a chance at serving alongside the many true heroes we have in this great country..." Thomas reflected on his three tours in Iraq as a Sergeant in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division as a time that made him completely reconsider his values and principles. His experiences there transformed him into someone quite rare: a person who will never take the blessings in his life for granted. He recounted hearing an interpreter recite a local proverb, "A man once complained about not having shoes, until he then met a man who didn't have any feet."

Thomas is a student at Johnson and Wales University in North Carolina. He is taking a leave of absence from school this semester and will be returning in the spring. We will be happy to hold his award for him until then.