AH grad receives
Army scholarship
SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. - An Abington Heights alumna will be both a dentist and an Army captain thanks to a health professions scholarship offered by the military.
Students, teachers and family members looked on Tuesday when Kaleigh Namiotka was commissioned a lieutenant in a public ceremony in the Abington Heights High School library. The Villanova University graduate will receive a full scholarship plus a monthly stipend from the Army during her dental education at Temple University in exchange for a four-year commitment to serve at a military dental clinic. She will be promoted to a captain after dental school.
"It's an honor," Sgt. 1st Class Todd J. Brenecki said. "There are only 70 scholarships each year and she received one."
Capt. Tommy Sandmel said the scholarship is likely worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Ms. Namiotka said her closeknit family has always prioritized being "involved in something bigger than yourself."
"It means giving back to my country," she said.
The Army health professions scholarship program is also offered to qualified students pursuing graduate-level health care degrees in medical, veterinary, psychology or optometry programs, Sgt. Brenecki said.
Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.com