Rear Admiral Sumner Shapiro Scholarship Program

Michael Himes is a rising junior at the University of Pennsylvania and a Naval Recruit Officer Training Corps (NROTC) midshipman. He is pursuing a degree in computer and information science, with a concentration in artificial intelligence (AI). Michael holds a seat on the Penn Engineering Council and serves as a ministry team leader in the Christian Union. He also carried out duties as fundraising officer, alumni engagement officer, and Alpha Company Chief for the NROTC Battalion. Upon graduation and commissioning, he is interested in serving in cryptologic warfare or special warfare.

Michael previously won the 2022 Captain Richard W. Bates Scholarship.

Sponsor: Rear Admiral Josh Himes, USN, Vice Director of Intelligence, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Grace Damato is a rising junior at Florida State University. Pursuing a degree in biochemistry, she is a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) midshipman and serves as the NROTC Battalion representative to FSU’s Student Government Association. Upon graduation and commissioning, she is interested in a career in information warfare, naval aviation, submarine warfare, or nuclear propulsion.

Grace is a past winner of the 2023 Vice Admiral Donald D. Engen Scholarship, and the 2022 Commander Dan Shanower Scholarship.

Sponsor: Captain Dave Damato, USN, COMSUBFOR Director of Intelligence 

Eleanor Gilmore, a rising sophomore at the University of Virginia (UVA), is pursuing a degree in foreign affairs. She serves on UVA’s Board of Elections and is a staff editor for UVA’s international relations publication, The Virginia Journal. After completing her degree, she intends to pursue a career as a foreign correspondent, working in the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer, or serving in the Peace Corps.

Sponsor: Captain Thomas Gilmore, USN, Carrier Strike Group Four

Victoria Cross is a rising junior at Virginia Tech University, studying experimental neuroscience. She is presently working as a summer undergraduate fellow at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute within Virginia Tech’s Carilion School of Medicine, researching translational neurobiology. She has also been competitively selected for an Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security internship at University of Maryland’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS). Upon graduation, she is interested in advancing AI research in support of national defense and the intelligence community.

Sponsor: Captain Ray Cross, USN (Ret)

Liam Pendergast is a rising freshman at Penn State University and a recent graduate of Lake Braddock High School in Burke, Virginia. He intends to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, joining Penn State’s Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) on scholarship. After graduation and commissioning, he is interested in serving as a submariner.

Sponsor: Captain James M Pendergast, USN (Ret)

Intelligence Specialist First Class Victoria DeBernardis serves as an aviation intelligence instructor assigned to Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC). In that capacity, she is responsible for developing training exercises to prepare intelligence officers and intelligence specialists for deployment. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in intelligence studies at American Military University. Upon graduation, she intends to continue postgraduate studies while seeking a commission through the Naval Intelligence Warrant Officer program to specialize in the human intelligence (HUMINT) career field.

Cyber Warfare Technician Second Class Cobalt Henson serves as a digital network analyst with Cyber Strike Activity SIXTY-THREE (CSA-63), where he recently contributed to the identification of three adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures used by the U.S. government’s number one intelligence priority. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and information technology at University of Maryland’s Global Campus with a concentration in terrorism and critical infrastructure. With a 4.0 GPA, he also earned a spot on the Dean’s List.

Petty Officer Henson also received the 2023 Captain Anthony D. Sesow Scholarship.