AUSTIN — The office of Senator Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) is now accepting applications for the 2023-24 Texas Armed Services Scholarship.

"Many young Texans are committed to serving our nation in the Armed Forces after earning a college degree," said Sen. Kelly Hancock, Chairman of the Texas Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs. "It is an honor to support these students as they pursue their goals in higher education and military service."

The Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP), administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, was created by the Texas Legislature in 2009 to assist promising students from throughout the state who are committed to education and service.

The program encourages young leaders to participate in Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) programs at Texas institutions of higher learning and to become commissioned officers in the United States Armed Services or members of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air Force National Guard, the Texas State Guard, or the United States Merchant Marine force. Each member of the Texas Legislature is able to appoint one qualified student for the annual accolade.

Hancock today also announced the members of the Senate District 9 TASSP Selection Board. These local leaders will assist in determining the Senate District 9 appointee for 2023-24:

Neal Adams, a Texas native, served in his senior year as Adjutant General of the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets' Second Brigade and Head Yell Leader while pursuing his Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing before obtaining his Juris Doctor at Baylor University School of Law. President of the law firm of Adams, Lynch & Loftin P.C. in Grapevine, Neal has practiced law in Tarrant County for over 50 years. Committed to public service, he served on the Board of Trustees for HEB ISD for seven years and as a gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for six years. Neal has additionally served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Texas Higher Education Foundation since 2009 and has for the past 10 years been Chairman of the Board. He and his wife, Sonja, have two daughters.

Marcy Barkemeyer spent 16 years in public education before opening the real estate business she now runs serving Northeast Tarrant County and the DFW Metroplex. A longtime resident of Hurst, then North Richland Hills, Marcy is a proud United States Marine Corps mom. Her son, Blake, graduated from Birdville High School in 2012 and is currently stationed in Washington, D.C. having achieved the rank of Captain.

Andy Nguyen was born in the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), and came to the United States as a refugee at age 14. Despite the challenge of learning a new language and culture, Andy persisted, finishing high school with his peers. Andy attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a degree in Business Management. During his time there, he joined the Kentucky National Guard, completed training in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in the United States Army Reserve. Andy moved to Texas in 1992, where he started his own telecom company. In 2010, he was elected to the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, becoming the first Asian American to serve as Commissioner in Tarrant County. From 2019-2021, Andy served the Texas Sixth Congressional District as Congressman Ron Wright’s District Director and Deputy Chief of Staff. He currently serves as Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare's Chief of Staff. Andy and his wife, Julie, live in the Arlington area with their three children.

To learn more about the program or request an application, students may contact Senator Hancock's district office at (817) 332-1131.

The Senate District 9 application deadline for the 2023-24 academic year award is Friday, July 7, 2023.

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