Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Elesia Patten | 160315-N-WM647-099 YOKOSUKA, Japan (March 15, 2016) Personnel Specialist 2nd Class...... read more read more
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By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Elesia Patten
YOKOSUKA, Japan - Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Enoch Kasunmu, from Columbus, Ohio, and 24 other recipients, were presented with a scholarship from the Reagan Legacy Foundation by Michael Reagan, son of former President Ronald Reagan, during an all-hands call aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), March 15, 2016.
The Reagan Legacy Foundation annually awards $1,000 scholarships for Sailors who serve aboard the Reagan and their families.
During the all-hands call, Michael Reagan delivered remarks on the importance of giving back to the community. Kasunmu, who has been attached to Ronald Reagan since June 2014, said that he was very moved by Reagan’s remarks, especially since he plans on using his scholarship money to give back to his hometown in Ohio.
“I won’t use the scholarship fund for myself but I am going back to my hometown to buy books and school items for the kids back home,” said Kasunmu. “I earned this scholarship to help them with their education.”
Kasunmu said that his decision to use his scholarship money to giveback was influenced by his upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria where he was born and raised.
“I remember when I was back in Nigeria, when I was in high school, I had very limited school supplies and it made me a more humble person,” said Kasunmu. “Often times it was struggling to not be able to have simple things like notebooks and pens and it made me realize that if you want to change the world you have to be the change the world needs.”
Now Kasunmu has a bachelor’s of science degree in computer information sciences from Kent University.
“I’m in a very comfortable and happy place in my life right now, and I know that there are kids back in Ohio, where I enlisted, that need help getting school supplies just like I needed help when I was in Nigeria.”
Kasunmu’s commanding officer is allowing him to go to his hometown as part of the Hometown Assistant Recruiting Program for 12 days. During that time Kasunmu plans to distribute school supplies that he will buy using his scholarship money to Westland High School in Ohio.
“I always believed that to whom much is given, much is required,” said Kasunmu. “Since I’ve been in the Navy I’ve been blessed; I made rank fast, I love my job and I feel that the only way I can be a better person is to give to those who are less privileged.”
Kasunmu recently got accepted into Nova South Eastern University in Florida for a master’s degree in their Management Information System Program and plans to apply to commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy.
Ronald Reagan provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region.
| Date Taken: | 03.15.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.16.2016 05:08 |
| Story ID: | 192539 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | COLUMBUS, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 164 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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