2025 AFSA-IRS Convention
SAN ANTONIO, TX
FALL 2025
from AFSA-IRS
Member Assistance
Scholarship Awards
Daniel Villhard
Thank you to the members of AFSA- for selecting me for this scholarship. My father retired from IRS-CID 2020 after working as a Special Agent in Nashville and St. Louis. I am the oldest of five children. I graduated from Christian Brothers College High School in May. I received academic honors every semester in high school and have completed 18 hours of college credit through AP exams while in high school. I was the Captain of the Scholar Bowl team. I was also on the Cross Country and Track Teams. While in High School I participated in a service project in Appalachia and working with a local organization tutoring the children of refugees from the Afghan war. I earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2024. I will be attending Missouri University of Science and Technology in then fall and plan to study Chemical Engineering. Once again, thank you
Tommy Avery
My name is Tommy Avery and I am from Kingwood, Texas. I’m super excited for the opportunity to attend Texas A&M this fall as a member of the Class of 2028. Throughout my four years at Kingwood High School, I was heavily involved with sports. In soccer, I was a member of multiple varsity district-winning teams that made deep runs in the 6A Division State Playoffs. While in track, I was named the team captain and earned my place at number eight on the all-time Kingwood High School Top Ten list with my 200 meter race time. I was also a member of several clubs, holding a leadership position in the National Honor Society as Chapter President. As President, I organized and approved service projects in the local community, most notably an excursion to the Houston Food Bank with 80+ students participating. I also served in Student Government as a Class Officer, where I helped plan senior events like Prom and Senior Picnic. Outside of school, I earned my Eagle Scout and served in my Catholic Church community as a youth group leader for teens preparing to make their Confirmation. In addition to learning in the classroom, I want to build upon my social and leadership skills at Texas A&M so that I can make an impact in my future workplace by using my knowledge to develop new technology—like an antibiotic or machine—that would better the lives of other people. Activities like volunteering at St. Mary’s in College Station, playing either Club Soccer or other intramural sports, and working with professors and other students in one of the many research labs A&M has to offer will hopefully guide me towards achieving that goal. Again, I express my gratitude for your consideration and investment in my education, and I look forward to my time at Texas A&M.
Esteban(EJ) Sanchez
Hello, my name is Esteban(EJ) Sanchez. I am a rising freshman attending the University of Dayton. I have recently graduated from Sacred Heart Griffin(SHG) high school in Springfield, IL. While attending SHG I participated in several extracurricular and volunteer activities. I was a member of both the cross country and track teams, acting as a captain for both by my senior year. I completed hundreds of service hours during my four years at SHG, completing over 100 hours in my senior year alone. I have also received several academic rewards and recognitions during my time at SHG. I was a member of both the National Honors Society and National Spanish Honors Society. I was also awarded National Hispanic Recognition from the College Board for notable PSAT scoring. As I begin college, I am planning to major in computer science with a focus on cyber security. Through this degree I am hoping to develop the necessary skills to become proficient in defending digital information from cyber attacks, whether in the public or private sector. This is particularly applicable to me while studying at the University of Dayton as UD has an agreement with the National Security Agency(NSA) that allows me to receive an additional certification in cyber security from the NSA through my coursework. I hope to achieve all of this in an effort to serve either my community, my state, or even my nation by protecting it from cyber threats in a time when the damage one could cause continues to grow exponentially. My grandfather, Bernie Coleman served the IRS as a special agent for many years in the central Illinois region. I hope to continue to serve my community as he and other special agents that represent this scholarship have.
Matthew Holenstein
Matthew Holenstein is a 2024 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Independence High School in Thompson's Station, Tennessee. He is a member of the National Honor Society, volunteered with the school's Best Buddy program, and played on the school lacrosse team. Matthew graduated with a Seal of Biliteracy diploma in Spanish. This past summer, he traveled to Costa Rica with the school Spanish program to further his Spanish studies while taking part in mission work at a local school and community center. Matthew will be attending the University of Tennessee - Knoxville majoring in Business Administration.
Tyler (TJ) Kuehn
Tyler (TJ) Kuehn is a dedicated and ambitious student who will be attending Purdue University in the fall to pursue Pre-Medicine. He graduated with an impressive 3.9 GPA from Vista Ridge High School in Cedar Park, Texas, where he was actively involved in various extracurricular activities. TJ's father, Michael Kuehn, is a retired IRS-Special Agent from the Phoenix Field Office, who has instilled in him a strong sense of discipline and work ethic. TJ is also an avid volunteer in his community including multiple years as a Food Bank volunteer and was co-leader of the State Champion Improv Comedy Group for Texas. He has also showcased his acting skills in multiple lead roles in theatre musicals and plays. In addition to his academic and extracurricular achievements, TJ has also worked at a local pizza parlor and as a camp counselor for the YMCA camp in Lakewood, Wisconsin. He is grateful for the scholarship he received from the AFSA-IRS, which will help him to pursue his higher education goals. With his passion for medicine and his commitment to making a positive impact in his community, TJ is well on his way to achieving great things in the future.
Mason Barnett
My name is Mason Barnett and I am from Kingsport, Tennessee. I graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in May 2024 and I will be attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where I will be majoring in Accounting and Finance. After graduating college I plan to pursue a career in law enforcement. While in high school I participated in several extracurricular activities including: a 4-year member of the varsity baseball team, BETA, and FBLA Clubs, National Honor Society, and I am a Tennessee/Virginia Scholar. I also served as a student representative on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Committee at DBHS and as a leader in my local Mayor's Youth Council, all while graduating with a 4.3 GPA. I am extremely honored to have been selected as a recipient of the James F. Howe, Sr. & Frank Fontinatos Scholarship.
Maddy Kost
Hi, my name is Maddy Kost. I am a 2024 graduate of Buckeye High School in Medina, Ohio. I plan to major in Health Sciences at the University of Toledo before going to graduate school to become a physician assistant. I hope to graduate with honors from college, gain valuable experience relating to my future career, and continue to be involved in school activities while helping the community. After graduation, I plan to use the skills I have learned to make an impact in the healthcare industry. I intend to use this degree to find my calling in life. Making an impact in the medical world and helping people improve their daily lives is important to me. I want people to trust me, feel welcome and know it’s okay to accept help and support. I am so excited to begin this new chapter. I am looking forward to wherever it takes me. Throughout high school, I maintained a 4.76 GPA. I competed in three varsity sports: cross-country, basketball and track. I was captain of my basketball and cross country teams and a student council class officer. I was also involved in freshman mentors, National Honor Society, tutoring and athletic training. I am extremely honored to be selected for the Memorial Scholarship. I would like to thank AFSA-IRS, as well as its members and donors for their support in my academic pursuits.
Hailee Kindred
A short bio of me I have written is: Hello, my name is Hailee and I grew up in Portland, OR. When I was fourteen I relocated to Stafford, VA due to my government father getting a new position in the IRS. My whole life I have played numerous sports, but found myself to focus and have a passion for soccer. I played with a travel soccer team as well as the high school varsity team. While athletics is a large portion of my life, I have devoted my time to many other extracurriculars. Moreover, I was very engaged in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, including being one of the leaders. In the fall, I will be starting college at James Madison University where I plan to enroll in the College of Business to study marketing and minor in entrepreneurship. I one day hope to own a business of my own.
AFSA-IRS currently administers two scholarship programs, the AFSA-IRS Memorial Scholarship and the James F. Howe, Sr. Scholarship. Anyone may make donations to the AFSA-IRS for the Scholarship Fund.
AFSA promotes fraternal relationships via local chapter meetings throughout the US and at our annual conventions. We sponsor the biennial Special Agent of the Year Award to recognize an active duty special agent for outstanding performance.