One of the most rewarding things Atlantic Diving Supply does each year is award scholarship money to the children of fallen, injured and missing heroes.

Our scholarship program is one of the main pillars of our ADS Mission Give Back® Foundation, and these kids never fail to inspire us.

The Mission Give Back® Scholarship program is designed to support the children of military service members, law enforcement officers and first responders who have fallen, been injured, or are missing in action. This year, the Foundation has awarded scholarships to the children of three of these American heroes, and we know these kids are all destined to do big things.

Kylie Soniak of Raleigh N.C. has been awarded a Mission Give Back® scholarship, and will study Animal Science at Purdue University beginning this Fall. Kylie’s father, Joe, a Norfolk firefighter, was severely injured in a 2003 Thanksgiving Day house fire. Joe suffered 2nd- and 3rd-degree burns to almost a quarter of his body and spent 20 days in the ICU at Norfolk General. His injuries led to the development of new Norfolk Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures that are now used nationwide. Kylie is a Magna Cum Laude and International Baccalaureate graduate, a member of the National Honor Society, a North Carolina Academic Scholar, and the recipient of the President's Award for Educational Excellence. Kylie plans to become a veterinarian.

Virginia Beach’s Meghan Valentine, a graduate of Kellam High School, has been awarded a Mission Give Back® Scholarship toward her studies at Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University. When Meghan was just 4 years old, her father Thomas was killed while on active duty with the U.S. Navy. He received a Silver Star for his actions during combat. Describing her father as a “a very gifted artist,’ Meghan will major in graphic design and art therapy.

This year’s third scholarship award winner is Andrew Ratzlaff from San Diego, an Eagle Scout who spends his spare time volunteering with kids triathlon programs. Andrew’s father, Gregory, was a Captain in the Marines who died overseas serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Andrew will attend the University of Portland, where he plans to major in History before attending law school.

Congratulations to all of this year’s Mission Give Back® Scholarship winners! Learn more about the ADS Mission Give Back® program here.