Press Release: Orion and Hargrave Partner to Support Military Families
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2022
Lisa Smith Molinari
Vice President of Operation
Orion Military Scholarship Fund, Inc.
904-859-3161
lmolinari@orionmilitary.org
Bill Bell
Director of Marketing & Communications
Hargrave Military Academy
(434) 207-2199
Chatham, Va. — Hargrave Military Academy has partnered with Orion Military Scholarship Fund, Inc. to offer military families the opportunity for their children to attend Hargrave through a combination of merit-based scholarship funding and need-based financial aid. Hargrave is the 11th boarding school to partner with Orion, supporting their mission to provide stable, uninterrupted high school experiences to children of active duty service men and women.
Frequent moves and inconsistency between academic programs take a toll on military children, whose unpredictable, mobile lifestyles inhibit their ability to form positive social connections and put them at significantly greater risk for anxiety, depression, and self-harm during adolescence. Multiple moves also affect military teenagers’ ability to transfer academic credits and progress in sports and extracurricular activities.
Hargrave’s Academic Dean had this to say of the opportunity presented by the Orion partnership, “There is no disputing the positive impact of stability on outcomes in and out of the classroom. At Hargrave, we often talk about quieting the cacophony bombarding today’s students and their families. The well-defined structure and relationships with faculty and staff at Hargrave make life “simpler,” freeing up time and energy for authentic personal growth. Our partnership with Orion will afford military families peace of mind about their son’s school situation and enable those students to focus on learning and growing in a predictable, familiar, and supportive environment.”
“Orion is extremely proud to add Hargrave Military Academy to its list of member schools committed to identifying, recruiting, and funding deserving and talented military kids. Hargrave’s distinctive program emphasizes leadership and character-building that suits many military families,” stated Francis Molinari, Orion cofounder and Vice President of Military Affairs.
“I don’t live in a place for longer than three years, so I never build a connection to them. It is difficult to attempt making new friends, as it often feels the energy required is too much for a temporary friendship,” says Orion Military Scholarship recipient Henry S., whose Army parents moved last summer from Fort Benning, Georgia to Fort Sam Houston, Texas — Henry’s tenth home in thirteen years. Orion and Hargrave eagerly anticipate working hand in hand to ensure that more military children like Henry have access to stable educational opportunities.
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About Orion: Orion Military Scholarship Fund, Inc. is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) tax-deductible public charity, dedicated to providing scholarships for children of active duty military parents to attend select boarding schools for continuous, stable high school experiences. Orion’s current application season for scholarships for Fall 2023 enrollment in boarding schools ends December 1, 2022. Eligible military children can apply at https://www.orionmilitary.org/how-to-apply.
About Hargrave Military Academy: Hargrave is a college-prep boarding school for young men in grades 7–12 & Post Graduate where boys strengthen their faith, build their character, learn to lead, and realize their full potential. Hargrave develops young men into leaders of character who are prepared for lifelong success. The Hargrave graduate goes on to be a leader in his home, church, and community. To learn more about Hargrave Military Academy, call 434.432.2481 or visit www.hargrave.edu.