Alamo Detachment 315
2023 Scholarship Application
| Click here to download the full 2023 MSgt Buentello Scholarship Application Package |
Master Sergeant Rodney L. Buentello
MSgt. Rodney Lee Buentello, USMC, Ret.was born June 27, 1973 and passed away on June 8, 2016. He survived four combat tours, one in Afghanistan and three in Iraq and he is a two-time recipient of the Purple Heart. He was a John Jay High School Alumni, worked at Jay as an ISS instructional assistant and volunteered as a coach for football and track. He is survived by his wife Lisa Marie Buentello, children; Ryan Lee, Roman Lawrence and Sage Buentello, parents; Raul and Yolanda Buentello, sister; Rosalie Williams husband Vaughn, brother; Louis Buentello, nieces; MacKenzie, Rylie, nephews; Tristen and Dillon Williams, and Matt Bara, Mother and Father in law; Richard A. Sr. and Diane Honeycutt, brother in law Richard A. Honeycutt Jr., and numerous amounts of family and friends.
Rodney Buentello was already a hero before he died. He was a Marine after all. But the retired master sergeant once again showed his bravery when he lost his life saving the lives of two teens. Buentello, a resident of San Antonio, was visiting a city park in Bandera, Texas, on Wednesday with his family when a teenage girl got swept away into a river trying to walk across a dam. A teen boy jumped in the water to save her but began to struggle himself. Buentello then dove in and saved the teens, but he drowned before he could be rescued, the city of Bandera Marshal’s office said. Two signs constructed by the Texas Department of Transportation have designated a seven-mile stretch of Highway 173 as Master Sergeant Rodney Lee Buentello Memorial Highway. Bandera Pro Rodeo spearheaded the sign project and raised necessary funds through a public GoFundMe campaign.
Marine Corps League, Alamo Detachment 315, has three $500 Scholarships that are awarded based on the number of applicants and the specific scholarship requirements. Additional scholarships in various amounts may also be given.
ELIGIBILITY:
To qualify for review, the applicant must satisfy with proof of one of the below criteria: A Child, grandchild, or stepchild of:
a. An Active or Reserve Marine who lost their lives in the line of duty and lives within the confines of Bexar County, Texas, OR
b. An Active member of the Alamo Detachment, Marine Corps League or Auxiliary Unit; OR
c. An Alamo Detachment, Marine Corps League or Auxiliary Unit member; OR
d. An Active or Reserve Marine living within the confines of Bexar County, Texas.
1. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY:
a. Must have a minimum of 2. 5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. (Not weighted)
b. Submit SAT or ACT Scores.
c. A copy of the official transcript with grading key sent from the school directly to the Scholarship Chairperson, not to be included in the application package.
d. Letter of acceptance for the following year from the applicant’s school of choice. (If acceptance has not been received by the deadline for submission of this application, the decision of grant will be delayed until received. We acknowledge some schools do not send out their acceptance letters until later in the school year.)
e. Proof of address for Bexar County children. (if applicable)
f. Name of current Alamo Detachment or Auxiliary Unit Member. (if applicable)
g. Submit at least a 400-word Essay no more than 1,000 about the field of study you have chosen. h. Current photo.
i. Letters of recommendation. (see checklist)
2. COLLEGE/VOCATIONAL STUDENTS:
a. All first-year students must submit a copy of their official transcripts.
b. Proof of address for Bexar County children. (if applicable)
c. Name of current Alamo Detachment or Auxiliary Unit Member. (if applicable)
d. Submit at least a 400-word Essay no more than 1,000 about the field of study you have chosen. e. Current photo.
f. Letters of recommendation. (see checklist)
2nd, 3rd, and 4th-year students will be evaluated on current official transcripts sent from the school directly to the Scholarship Chairperson .
❖ PROOF OF MILITARY SERVICE.
If eligibility is based on one’s own service, a copy of current military photo ID, a copy of your MCL membership card, or a letter on command letterhead from the Commanding Officer or Administrative Officer is required to verify eligibility.
❖ PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP TO A U.S. MARINE.
If eligibility is based on a relationship to a Marine, please submit evidence of a relationship. (Recommend submitting a family tree drawing to assist the Scholarship Committee in verifying proof of relationship.) Documents accepted as proof include a copy of marriage certificates, birth certificates, adoption document, or military dependent ID or a letter on Command stationery. PLEASE REDACT ANY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. The application period extends exclusively from 1 December thru 31 January. Applications postmarked after will not be considered. Applications and all supporting documents including official transcripts postmarked after the deadline of 31 January will not be considered.
2. A complete, new package must be submitted each time an applicant applies. Previous submissions will not be considered. Applications will be accepted from students living outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS) and will be attending an OCONUS college.
3. An acceptance letter from the college is still required.
4. For application status (qualified/disqualified only), the Scholarship Chairperson will respond to one email per applicant, at alamo.det.mcl@gmail.com. The subject line should read STATUS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FOR (NAME OF APPLICANT). No telephone calls, postcards, letters, or multiple inquires. No exceptions. Emails from parents, grandparents, or sponsors will not be answered. Applicant’s email only.
5. Applicants are urged not to wait until the end of the application period of 31 January to mail-in applications. The weather could affect the postmark date of the application. It is recommended applicant use certified mail as proof of delivery. The postmark date must be legible.
6. If there is no postmark date visible, the application will not be accepted and will be returned if it is received after the 31 January deadline. The Post Office will hand-cancel a stamped postmark upon request for confirmation to the applicant. Mail applications to Alamo Detachment 315, c/o Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 831641, San Antonio, Texas 78283-1641
NOTIFICATION PROCESS
The recipient will be notified by official email or letter, with the attached letter or by postal mail before 15 February. Selectees must confirm receipt of the announcement as indicated in the notification of selection email to alamo.det.mcl@gmail.com. Non-recipient applicants will be notified by official email with a letter as an attachment only as to why they were not selected.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
Upon selection of successful applicants, the checks will be mailed directly to the applicants after receipt of evidence that applicants have enrolled in the designated university/school. (Winter 2022 semester)
ESSAY SUBMISSIONS:
The following statements must be completed by all applicants; minimum 400-word statement; maximum 1,000 words statement. Do not bullet list, we are looking for your ability to communicate in writing. Tell us why you have chosen the field you are about to pursue or currently in.
MASTER SERGEANT RODNEY L. BUENTELLO
SCHOLARSHIP CHECKLIST
❑ COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM. The application must be typed. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
❑ ESSAY SUBMISSION. Include the short (one) page essay. “Tell Us” why you have chosen your field of study.
❑ PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY. See requirements under eligibility for acceptable documents.
❑ PHOTO. A passport photo 2x2; (head/shoulder only and name written on the lower back). ID cards or snapshots are not acceptable. Passport photos only are accepted and not a copy of a passport.
❑ TWO PROFESSIONAL LETTERS OF REFERENCE. (Letters from relatives are not acceptable.) Letters must be written within the past year and attest to the applicant’s character, attitude, leadership ability, scholastic participation. High school students must include two letters from school personnel on official letterhead, signed and in sealed envelopes. DO NOT SEND copies of personal accolades. Other acceptable letters of reference may come from employers, military personnel, or anyone who can attest to your ability to succeed. Letters must be written within the last 12 months.
❑ COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS. All high school and college transcripts must be sent directly to the Scholarship Chair via United States Postal Service mail. Parchment transcripts are acceptable. Applicants that have completed their first enlistment or have been out of the education pipeline for over 10 years are not required to submit an official high school transcript. Students living outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS) and will be attending an OCONUS college should provide transcripts and any test scores the applicant has and must include a grading key in-order-to compare GPA/Test scores with U.S. schools.
❑ LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE. Letter of acceptance for the following year from the applicant’s school of choice. Funds will not be released until proof of acceptance/enrollment is received.
❑ BE ENROLLED FULL TIME. All applicants must be enrolled as full-time students (12 credit hours) in-order-to be eligible for a Scholarship. Copies of course schedules are acceptable.
NOTE: All applications must be completed as stated in these procedures to be considered qualified. Incomplete packages will not be considered. Pay attention to detail.
Rodney Buentello was already a hero before he died. He was a Marine after all. But the retired master sergeant once again showed his bravery when he lost his life saving the lives of two teens. Buentello, a resident of San Antonio, was visiting a city park in Bandera, Texas, on Wednesday with his family when a teenage girl got swept away into a river trying to walk across a dam. A teen boy jumped in the water to save her but began to struggle himself. Buentello then dove in and saved the teens, but he drowned before he could be rescued, the city of Bandera Marshal’s office said. Two signs constructed by the Texas Department of Transportation have designated a seven-mile stretch of Highway 173 as Master Sergeant Rodney Lee Buentello Memorial Highway. Bandera Pro Rodeo spearheaded the sign project and raised necessary funds through a public GoFundMe campaign.
Marine Corps League, Alamo Detachment 315, has three $500 Scholarships that are awarded based on the number of applicants and the specific scholarship requirements. Additional scholarships in various amounts may also be given.
ELIGIBILITY:
To qualify for review, the applicant must satisfy with proof of one of the below criteria: A Child, grandchild, or stepchild of:
a. An Active or Reserve Marine who lost their lives in the line of duty and lives within the confines of Bexar County, Texas, OR
b. An Active member of the Alamo Detachment, Marine Corps League or Auxiliary Unit; OR
c. An Alamo Detachment, Marine Corps League or Auxiliary Unit member; OR
d. An Active or Reserve Marine living within the confines of Bexar County, Texas.
1. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY:
a. Must have a minimum of 2. 5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. (Not weighted)
b. Submit SAT or ACT Scores.
c. A copy of the official transcript with grading key sent from the school directly to the Scholarship Chairperson, not to be included in the application package.
d. Letter of acceptance for the following year from the applicant’s school of choice. (If acceptance has not been received by the deadline for submission of this application, the decision of grant will be delayed until received. We acknowledge some schools do not send out their acceptance letters until later in the school year.)
e. Proof of address for Bexar County children. (if applicable)
f. Name of current Alamo Detachment or Auxiliary Unit Member. (if applicable)
g. Submit at least a 400-word Essay no more than 1,000 about the field of study you have chosen. h. Current photo.
i. Letters of recommendation. (see checklist)
2. COLLEGE/VOCATIONAL STUDENTS:
a. All first-year students must submit a copy of their official transcripts.
b. Proof of address for Bexar County children. (if applicable)
c. Name of current Alamo Detachment or Auxiliary Unit Member. (if applicable)
d. Submit at least a 400-word Essay no more than 1,000 about the field of study you have chosen. e. Current photo.
f. Letters of recommendation. (see checklist)
2nd, 3rd, and 4th-year students will be evaluated on current official transcripts sent from the school directly to the Scholarship Chairperson .
❖ PROOF OF MILITARY SERVICE.
If eligibility is based on one’s own service, a copy of current military photo ID, a copy of your MCL membership card, or a letter on command letterhead from the Commanding Officer or Administrative Officer is required to verify eligibility.
❖ PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP TO A U.S. MARINE.
If eligibility is based on a relationship to a Marine, please submit evidence of a relationship. (Recommend submitting a family tree drawing to assist the Scholarship Committee in verifying proof of relationship.) Documents accepted as proof include a copy of marriage certificates, birth certificates, adoption document, or military dependent ID or a letter on Command stationery. PLEASE REDACT ANY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. The application period extends exclusively from 1 December thru 31 January. Applications postmarked after will not be considered. Applications and all supporting documents including official transcripts postmarked after the deadline of 31 January will not be considered.
2. A complete, new package must be submitted each time an applicant applies. Previous submissions will not be considered. Applications will be accepted from students living outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS) and will be attending an OCONUS college.
3. An acceptance letter from the college is still required.
4. For application status (qualified/disqualified only), the Scholarship Chairperson will respond to one email per applicant, at alamo.det.mcl@gmail.com. The subject line should read STATUS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FOR (NAME OF APPLICANT). No telephone calls, postcards, letters, or multiple inquires. No exceptions. Emails from parents, grandparents, or sponsors will not be answered. Applicant’s email only.
5. Applicants are urged not to wait until the end of the application period of 31 January to mail-in applications. The weather could affect the postmark date of the application. It is recommended applicant use certified mail as proof of delivery. The postmark date must be legible.
6. If there is no postmark date visible, the application will not be accepted and will be returned if it is received after the 31 January deadline. The Post Office will hand-cancel a stamped postmark upon request for confirmation to the applicant. Mail applications to Alamo Detachment 315, c/o Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 831641, San Antonio, Texas 78283-1641
NOTIFICATION PROCESS
The recipient will be notified by official email or letter, with the attached letter or by postal mail before 15 February. Selectees must confirm receipt of the announcement as indicated in the notification of selection email to alamo.det.mcl@gmail.com. Non-recipient applicants will be notified by official email with a letter as an attachment only as to why they were not selected.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
Upon selection of successful applicants, the checks will be mailed directly to the applicants after receipt of evidence that applicants have enrolled in the designated university/school. (Winter 2022 semester)
ESSAY SUBMISSIONS:
The following statements must be completed by all applicants; minimum 400-word statement; maximum 1,000 words statement. Do not bullet list, we are looking for your ability to communicate in writing. Tell us why you have chosen the field you are about to pursue or currently in.
MASTER SERGEANT RODNEY L. BUENTELLO
SCHOLARSHIP CHECKLIST
❑ COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM. The application must be typed. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
❑ ESSAY SUBMISSION. Include the short (one) page essay. “Tell Us” why you have chosen your field of study.
❑ PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY. See requirements under eligibility for acceptable documents.
❑ PHOTO. A passport photo 2x2; (head/shoulder only and name written on the lower back). ID cards or snapshots are not acceptable. Passport photos only are accepted and not a copy of a passport.
❑ TWO PROFESSIONAL LETTERS OF REFERENCE. (Letters from relatives are not acceptable.) Letters must be written within the past year and attest to the applicant’s character, attitude, leadership ability, scholastic participation. High school students must include two letters from school personnel on official letterhead, signed and in sealed envelopes. DO NOT SEND copies of personal accolades. Other acceptable letters of reference may come from employers, military personnel, or anyone who can attest to your ability to succeed. Letters must be written within the last 12 months.
❑ COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS. All high school and college transcripts must be sent directly to the Scholarship Chair via United States Postal Service mail. Parchment transcripts are acceptable. Applicants that have completed their first enlistment or have been out of the education pipeline for over 10 years are not required to submit an official high school transcript. Students living outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS) and will be attending an OCONUS college should provide transcripts and any test scores the applicant has and must include a grading key in-order-to compare GPA/Test scores with U.S. schools.
❑ LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE. Letter of acceptance for the following year from the applicant’s school of choice. Funds will not be released until proof of acceptance/enrollment is received.
❑ BE ENROLLED FULL TIME. All applicants must be enrolled as full-time students (12 credit hours) in-order-to be eligible for a Scholarship. Copies of course schedules are acceptable.
NOTE: All applications must be completed as stated in these procedures to be considered qualified. Incomplete packages will not be considered. Pay attention to detail.
