Geoff and Ken Derrickson Memorial Scholarships awarded

The Rehoboth Beach Police Department and Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, in partnership with the Geoff and Ken Derrickson Memorial Scholarship Foundation, have announced the four 2021-22 scholarship winners.

Zoe Peters, who will study nutrition and public health at the University of Delaware, received $5,000. Ciera Barnett, who will be a pre-veterinary student at the University of Delaware, received $2,500. Hannah Wolk, who is pursuing human development and family studies at Pennsylvania State University, received $1,500. Ryan Bixler, who is studying criminal justice at Kings College, received $1,000.

Now in its fifth year, the scholarship was established by Betsy Baumeister and Bob Derrickson to honor the lives of their sons, Ken and Geoff Derrickson, twin brothers who died separately at young ages. Baumeister and Derrickson have never forgotten the support and care their family received from Rehoboth's first responders; they established the scholarship as a thank you to assist local first responders.

Members of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company and Rehoboth Beach Police Department and their dependents are eligible. Eligibility also is open to fire department junior members and seasonal police cadets.

Scholarship recipients are in good standing with the Rehoboth Beach Police Department or Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company and were selected based on their leadership skills, academic record and participation in service organizations.

Teens ages 15-18 interested in becoming junior members of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company may apply at rehobothbeachfire.com. Internships are available through the Rehoboth Beach Police Department.

“The scholarship trust was created to show appreciation to our local first responders, who are always there for all of us,” said Baumeister. “We are happy to have helped members and families of the Rehoboth fire department and Rehoboth Beach Police Department further their education.”

For more information or to donate to the Geoff and Ken Derrickson Memorial Scholarship Foundation, contact the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company at P.O. Box 327, Derrickson Scholarship, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or email scholarship@rehobothbeachfire.com.