Incirlik Unit School graduate named Presidential Scholar

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chase Hedrick
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  An Incirlik Unit School graduate was only student in the Department of Defense Education Activity honored as a member of the 49th class of Presidential Scholars.

Bryce Kaw-uh, son of Teresa and Lt. Col. Tonney Kaw-uh, received a Presidential Scholar Medallion June 16 in Washington, D.C., in a ceremony just two weeks after his high school graduation here.

"He's an intrinsically driven, academically charged student who also participates in sports activities," said Don Christensen, Incirlik Unit School middle and high school advisor. "He sets an extreme example of what you can achieve if you do the legwork and make the necessary effort to take time out of your social life and decide that academics are a priority."

Bryce's dedication and intense focus are his greatest strengths, said Christensen. These strengths led him to being selected as one of two Presidential Scholars from abroad.

"I was really excited when I found out about it because I knew that only one to two DODAE kids get selected each year; and I knew there were over 40 other candidates from DODAE," said Bryce.

The challenges and opportunities from being a military dependent and student overseas can teach life-long lessons, said Bryce.

"Be ready for whatever comes at you," he said. "Because when you're a military dependent you don't have much control over what happens. So, whenever you do get a foot on the ground, start running."

The IUS graduate said he plans to major in civil and environmental engineering and wants his work to positively impact the environment no matter where he ends up.

"I'm really proud of Bryce," said Tonney. "He's been doing really well, and he has a bright future ahead of him."