The Central Texas–Fort Hood Chapter of the Association of the United States Army held its annual scholarship luncheon at Club Hood recently, where 40 $1,000 college scholarships were awarded to members of the Fort Hood Army Family.

Pete Beronio, the chapter’s scholarship program coordinator, said over the past decade the program has given out approximately $600,000 to Fort Hood area students to help them pursue their educational goals.

More than 140 people filled the club’s Grande Ballroom for Monday’s event.

“This is our biggest program outside of soldier support [activities],” he said.

Beronio, in his first year at the helm of the scholarship program, said it’s gratifying for AUSA to support the military community at Fort Hood.

“We feel like it’s our way to give back,” he said.

Tyrin Pritchett, who graduated from Shoemaker High School last weekend and is headed to the University of Texas – Arlington to major in communications, was one of the 40 recipients this year.

“Of course, I’m very happy to be honored with this scholarship,” he said, “and I think it’s a big deal because I represent a lot of students with military backgrounds.”

Pritchett said he was impressed by the number of donor organizations to the scholarship program.

“It’s also great to see the conglomerate of different organizations that help out soldiers, because we have a lot of soldiers out there who need help,” he said. “I’m just glad to be here today to accept this scholarship and hopefully, I’ll be able to come back one day and financially support those soldiers, as well.”

Beronio added that the Fort Hood AUSA chapter remains committed to supporting Fort Hood Families.

“All the dollars we raise go to soldier support and scholarships,” he said of the non-profit organization.

“We don’t have any paid positions. They’re all volunteers, so every dollar gets back to the soldiers and back into the community at some level.”