FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF MSG COREY HOOD
Spearheaded by ATC’s Senior Consultant, Nick Enger, the Hoody Memorial Fund – established through the Community Foundation of West Chester Liberty Alliance – was launched in 2016 in memory of Master Sergeant Corey Hood. The Hoody Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a Cincinnati Lakota student who possesses the same positive qualities that Hood exhibited throughout his life – a strong will, a desire to succeed, and “a little bit of grit.”
Enger took it to another level in 2017. The event was held this past summer on August 5.
“A huge thanks goes out to everyone that took part in the 2017 Hoody Memorial Golf Outing and Dinner,” said Enger. “This year’s event netted twice as much as last year and we now have $60,000 in the fund. Our goal is to create a self-sustaining fund exceeding $100,000. The fact that this year we were able to actually award the scholarship in Corey’s name made it that much more rewarding.”
Hood served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan with the 82nd and 101st Airborne and had earned numerous awards, including two Bronze Stars. He was selected to The US Army Golden Knights, the US Army’s elite parachute team, in 2014. On August 16th, 2015, Corey passed away from injuries suffered while performing with the Golden Knights at the Chicago Air & Water Show.
In addition to golf, dinner and dancing, this year’s ceremonies included a bagpipe band, an ROTC cannon firing, skydivers, dueling pianos, and Rozzi fireworks.
“Last year was a good warm up,” states Enger, “this year was spectacular. Next year will be even bigger, better and louder. Corey loved the local community he grew up in. We plan to give back to West Chester as part of the mission by keeping the event and the scholarship within Lakota… and by utilizing local vendors.”
Jensen Quinn Awarded Scholarship
In alignment with Corey’s character and community impact, made possible by the generous contributions of family, friends, and members of the local community, the inaugural Hoody Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Cincinnati Lakota West Senior, Jensen Quinn. Quinn embodies the spirit and tenacity of MSG Corey Hood by meeting personal challenges head on while achieving success through mental toughness. Jensen has been described as “an outstanding student, a talented and dedicated wrestler, and a natural leader both in and out of the school setting”. Jensen will be a freshman this fall at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where he will major in Finance at the Culverhouse College of Commerce. After graduation, he plans to serve his country in the U.S Navy, and attend BUD/S training to become a Navy SEAL.
MSG Corey Hood was a proud Lakota West graduate who played football and wrestled for the school. Corey was a tough athlete both mentally and physically with a lot of heart and energy. After graduating, Hood enlisted in the Army and reported to boot camp just months before 9/11/2001.
Learn more about the Hoody Memorial Fund here. The 2018 event has already been scheduled for Saturday, August 4, 2018.
