The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Gulf Coast Chapter, in conjunction with NDIA’s Targets, Ranges, and UAVs Division is pleased to announce this year’s winners of the annual Hubert D. (Hugh) Harris Scholarship Award. Each recipient will receive a $1000.00 award which will be sent to the respective colleges' financial aid office for use by the students. The Scholarship was established in 1992 in honor of Mr. Harris who was a research and development engineer at Eglin AFB. He was recognized throughout the Department of Defense and industry for his advanced ideas and contributions to the development of unmanned aerial target vehicle systems. The recipients are as listed below.

Kerri Andre, Fort Walton Beach High School, graduated with a 4.0 GPA and an impressive composite ACT score of 35 with an SAT of 2140. She received numerous local and state academic awards and was valedictorian. Kerri was the captain of the varsity soccer team, president of the Beta Club, and actively involved in church activities. She will pursue a Biology degree at the University of Georgia.

Alexandris Bikker attended Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College where she maintained a 3.74 GPA while taking both high school and college courses. She was active in student government, varsity athletics, band and community. She was a 4-year member of the USAF Reserves Teen Leadership Council for 4 years, one of 12 selected nationally. Alexandris will attend Purdue University and major in Neurobiology and Physiology.

Charles Foy, Niceville High School, has won numerous Boy Scout awards including Emerald Coast Chapter Eagle Scout of the year and state American Legion Eagle Scout of the year. He was the recipient of the Anne T. Mitchell Academic Honors Award for four years and graduated with a 3.7 GPA. Charles will pursue an Environmental Engineering degree at University of West Florida.

Simon Johnson, Fort Walton Beach High School, has been actively involved in school, community and church functions while graduation with a 3.6 GPA. He was a leading member of the football, soccer and track teams. Simon will attend University of West Florida and major in Electrical Engineering.

Paul Mundy graduated from Choctawhatchee High School where he was the recipient of the Anne T. Mitchell Academic Honors Award and Indian Scholar for 2011-2014. He was an active member of the Math Team, Aviation Club and his church’s audio/video team. Paul has maintained a 3.7 GPA while taking a full load of advanced courses. He will be attending Embry Riddle University and majoring in Electrical Engineering.

Zachery Nichols graduated from Choctawhatchee High School as well as receiving his Associate of Arts from Northwest Florida State College where he was dual-enrolled. Zachery has demonstrated a strong interest in organic and physical sciences and plans to major in Chemistry while attending University of West Florida.

Emily Parker, Crestview High School, has been the recipient of numerous academic and extracurricular activities. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, National Honor Society and Beta Club and was selected Miss Senior Crestview High and highest GPA. She also made the Northwest Florida State College and President’s List for 2012-2014. Emily received many awards for her singing talent and was a Distinguished Young Women of Okaloosa County Top 10. She has maintained a 3.83 GPA and will attend Brigham Young University where she will major in Chemical Engineering.

Meridith Schmieder graduated from Fort Walton Beach High School with straight “A’s” and a 4.0 GPA. She held leadership positions in Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Club, and National Honor Society. She was President of the Science National Honor Society and received numerous awards for excellence in dance, track, piano, and community service. Meridith will apply her talents in pursuit of a Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Florida.

The Hugh Harris Scholarship program is extremely proud to be able to assist these fine students in furthering their scientific, technical, engineering and mathematics careers.