2022 Recipients
James F. Howe Sr. and Frank Fotinatos Scholarship
Erick HARRIS
Erick T. Harris is a senior Accounting student at North Carolina Agricultural
and Technical State University (NC A&T). While attending NC A&T, Erick has been consistently named to the Chancellor’s and Dean’s list, as well as, inducted into multiple academic honor societies. Erick effectively balances his focus on scholastic achievement
with his involvement in extracurricular and community service activities. He was recently initiated as a member into Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc. Erick has completed internships with multiple organizations in the Finance and Accounting fields, most recently serving as a Finance Intern with W.W. Grainger, Inc. Erick is sincerely honored to be selected as a recipient of the prestigious James F. Howe, Sr. Memorial Scholarship.
Nikolas BARNETT
My name is Nikolas Barnett. I am a rising sophomore at the University of South Carolina, where I am majoring in International Business and Accounting with a minor in French. I completed my freshman year with a 3.9 GPA. I participate in several extracurricular activities including: the University of South Carolina’s marching band, French Club, Carolina Sales Institute and Phi Mu Alpha. I served on the leadership team for the high school band day for the University of South Carolina’s Band. I have volunteered for campus clean ups and the Carolina food pantry.
In college, I plan to study abroad, hopefully in France. I like to travel and I enjoy the French language. In May 2022, I studied abroad in Austria and the Czech Republic as part of a Maymester Global Studies Classroom. After graduating college, I plan to apply the knowledge I obtain from studying international business, accounting, and the French language as well as my interest in government and international affairs to pursue a career as a foreign service officer/agent. I am extremely honored to have been selected as a recipient of the James F. Howe, Sr. & Frank Fotinatos Scholarship.
Morgan MONTEMORRA
Morgan Robert Montemorra is a 2022 Mount Saint Joseph High School graduate in Baltimore, Maryland. He will be attending Loyola University in Baltimore this fall, where he will be studying Forensics. Morgan maintained a GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in high school. He also was a member of the Leadership Club, served as an “Ambassador” for his school, and was an active participant in numerous other clubs. He captained his Rugby team during his Junior Year and “lettered” in both Football and Rugby.
Morgan lives outside Annapolis, Maryland, and is the son of two former Special Agents. His mother, Kathryn Montemorra, retired from the IRS-CI as an ASAC in the Washington, DC, field office. In contrast, his father retired from the FBI and served in multiple positions. Morgan believes his desire to study Forensics comes from watching his parents and their chosen occupations and hopes to follow in their footsteps one day. Morgan is an avid surfer and spends as much time as possible in the water. When he is not surfing, he is playing with his Bernese Mountain Dog Lucy or playing his guitar.
2022 Recipients
AFSA-IRS Memorial Scholarship
Mallory MCGUIRE
Mallory McGuire is a senior at Drake University and is pursuing a B.S. in Psychology, with minors in Neuroscience and Vocal Music Performance. During the 2021-2022 school year, Mallory earned a place on the Dean’s List for both semesters and achieved a 3.66 cumulative GPA. She also presented her research at the Drake University Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Sciences (DUCURS) this spring semester, for the Stereotyping and Objectification Research (SOAR) Lab. This summer, Mallory traveled to Italy to perform in the International Lyric Academy’s rendition of Die Zauberflotëas the Second Lady. In the fall, Mallory will continue her roles as President for Psi Chi, a professional psychology fraternity, and Wellness Specialist for Alpha Delta Pi, a social sorority. She also plans to apply to graduate schools across the United States, so she can pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Mallory is extremely thankful to AFSA-IRS for this scholarship to help her pursue her future endeavors.
Katherine WISSEL
Katherine Wissel is a sophomore at Missouri State University. She is majoring in Global Studies, with minors in Spanish and Latin American Studies. Katherine is active in MSU’s Student Government Association as the Director of Academic Affairs, and she enjoys applying what she is learning to her life and the world around her. She is also excited to join the Leadership Team for her college ministry this year. She is grateful to be a recipient of the AFSA-IRS Memorial Scholarship and for her family who has supported and loved her through it all. Katherine dreams of attending law school and practicing immigration law in the future.
Miles NANTZE
Miles Nantze is the son of member Nathan Nantze and his wife Mauree Nantze. Miles graduated from Shiloh Christian School in the Spring of 2022. Miles was a 3 year member of the Varsity Baseball team and Marching Band.
Miles will be attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and will be majoring in mechanical engineering. He also is a student intern for a transportation and logistics company located in Northwest Arkansas.
Tia RICCHIO
Hi, I’m Tia Ricchio and I attend UW-Madison as a Finance, Investment, & Banking major. I am going into my third year at Madison and I am loving it! I got to experience a somewhat “normal” sophomore year, and I could not be happier with my studies and the opportunities open to me this year. I spent both of my sophomore semesters in the UW Treble choir! I was able to sing with other amazing young adult women, expanding my musical repertoire and exploring different types of cultures that created the music we got to sing. My studies at the Wisconsin Business School have become extremely intense but in the best way. I’m learning more than I ever have and I’m so excited to continue gaining skills to prepare me for the business world. I’m so grateful for the opportunities that the AFSA scholarship committee has provided for me to learn and grow in my college experience.
Looking forward, I plan to start interviewing for internships and start accumulating skills to help me stand out in these interviews. I’m also very excited to live in my first apartment and be officially moved out! I’m excited to live with my roommates who are some of my favorite people and start cooking for myself. My grandmas have already started compiling recipes for me to take with me! Overall, I’m excited to keep growing as a person and learning who I am away from my loving family who has spent 20 years preparing me to be on my own. Again, I am very honored that you have considered me for this important scholarship. Thank you!
Karsyn WALKER
Hi, my name is Karsyn Walker. I graduated with honors from McKinney High School Class of 2022. This fall, I will be attending Oklahoma State University. I will be majoring in Nutritional Sciences with a concentration in Allied Health. My dream is to pursue becoming a Physician’s Assistant in Dermatology. I want my future practice to focus primarily on young people with various skin ailments. I hope to give back the joy and confidence that our young people need after suffering from common adolescent skin conditions. By doing so, I will continue to follow the same significant goals I had for myself in high school. While attending McKinney High School, I stayed involved in order to promote school spirit, better myself as a student, an athlete, and contributing my part to the community. I was involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, Greencord, and Younglife. I was on the McKinney High’s Girls Varsity Golf team all four years and was team captain my Junior and Senior years. These experiences have taught me so much about becoming a leader and have brought new skills that I will take with me throughout my life.
As I enter this new chapter, I promised myself to continue to work hard and follow my dreams! I’m so excited for the many opportunities and memories I will experience at Oklahoma State University. I know God has a lot in store for me and I can’t wait to see Him reveal it to me. Thank you to the AFSA-IRS for recognizing me and giving me this wonderful opportunity that will assist me financially to pursue my dream of becoming a Physician’s Assistant! Go Pokes!