Memorial Scholarship

SSG Justin Vasquez Memorial Scholarship Fund

Staff Sergeant Justin Vasquez

SSG Justin Vasquez, U.S. Army, in his cavalry Stetson

Staff Sergeant Justin Vasquez, 26, a native of Manzanola, Colorado, was killed during his second tour in Iraq on June 5, 2005, by an IED while leading his men south of Baghdad. He was a 1997 graduate of Manzanola High School.

His family founded this scholarship to honor his ultimate sacrifice for his country — and to keep his memory, and the memory of all fallen soldiers, alive.

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About the Scholarship

The SSG Justin Vasquez Memorial Scholarship Fund was formed to honor one that gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. The family wishes to assist graduating high school seniors in becoming productive and contributing participants in their community. Additionally, the family believes in the importance of attaining an education and the necessity of having high standards of work ethics. Thus, these esteemed values are passed on to the succeeding generations.

Since 2006, two $500 scholarships have been awarded each year to graduating seniors, and the family organizes events throughout the year to help the fund grow. In 2010, three $500 scholarships were awarded, and more than 25 scholarships have been presented to date.

How to Apply

Who can apply: Graduating high school seniors who are residents of the State of Colorado and have maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

What to submit:

The student application and student achievement information
A typed essay on the subject “My Responsibility To America” — at least one page single-spaced, not to exceed three pages
Three letters of recommendation: two from teachers and one from another person

The award: Each recipient receives a $500 scholarship. The Vasquez family reviews every application and selects two to three recipients each year, depending on the funds available.

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked, or submitted online, by April 20, 2027.

Apply by Mail

Prefer paper? Download the official application, print it, and mail your completed application, essay, and three letters of recommendation to:

SSG Justin Vasquez Memorial Scholarship
c/o Jennifer Vasquez Arebalo
600 S 10th, Rocky Ford, CO 81067
(719) 469-3148

Download the Application (PDF)

Apply Online

You can also submit your application online. Have your essay and three letters of recommendation ready to upload as PDF or Word files. Your application is delivered directly to the Vasquez family.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Student name(Required)

First Last

Mailing address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Date of birth(Required)

Phone number(Required)

Country Phone Number

Email(Required)

Eligibility(Required)

I certify that I am a resident of the State of Colorado and a graduating high school senior.

Current high school(Required)

Cumulative high school GPA (4.0 scale)(Required)

Minimum 2.5 required.

College or university you plan to attend

Intended course of study

Shirt size

Student achievements

You may list these below or upload them on a separate sheet with your essay.

School activities & offices held

Honors & awards

Community service

Employment history

Other

Essay: “My Responsibility To America”(Required)

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 256 MB.

Typed, at least one page single-spaced, not to exceed three pages. PDF or Word document.

Three letters of recommendation(Required)

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, jpg, jpeg, png, Max. file size: 256 MB, Max. files: 3.

Two letters from teachers and one from another person. Upload up to three files.

High school counselor name (optional)

High school counselor phone (optional)

Country Phone Number

Certification(Required)

I certify, to the best of my knowledge, that all information submitted is current, complete, and my own, and I authorize my school counselor to make my academic records available to the scholarship committee.

Support the Scholarship

Every dollar helps the family award more scholarships to deserving graduating seniors. You can contribute directly through PayPal — scan the code or tap the button below.

Donate via PayPal

PayPal QR code to donate to the SSG Justin Vasquez Memorial Scholarship Fund

Can’t scan? Copy this link into your browser: https://www.paypal.com/qrcodes/p2pqrc/QJXPJ8RR96CNA

Contributions are made directly to the Vasquez family’s scholarship fund through PayPal — they are not processed by Celememorate. The fund is a family-run memorial scholarship, not a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so contributions are not tax-deductible.

In Memory of Justin

SSG Justin Vasquez with his guitar case while deployed in Iraq

Staff Sergeant Justin Vasquez, U.S. Army

Justin Vasquez rappelling during military training

Learn More

The Vasquez family maintains the scholarship’s official website and Facebook page, where they post news, application updates, and photos from their annual fundraising events.

Official Site: ssgvms.org Facebook