Sgt. Hoover scholarship deadline nears

Seniors can still apply now through May 31

By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com

Last year, friends and family of SSGT Darin Taylor Hoover held a memorial 5K in honor and in memory of the soldier, killed in August of 2021 while on duty in Kabul, Afghanistan

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during the U.S. withdrawal.

Around 50 participants and about 100 more well-wishers turned out for last year’s inaugural SSGT Darin “Taylor” Hoover Memorial 5K, “The outpour of love and support that we have gotten from Arkansas, especially West Memphis, from Utah to Missouri, from governors to people all over the country, it’s been extraordinary,” said Kelly Barnett, Staff Sargent Hoover’s mother.

With funds raised from the 5K, the SSGT Hoover Memorial Scholarship was created. This year’s graduating seniors are the first class to be able to apply for the scholarchip.

On Aug. 26, 2021, that those 13 American soldiers gave the ultimate sacrifice when they were killed by a suicide bomber in Kabul, Afghanastan. Those killed along with Staff Sgt.

Hoover were: Marine Sgt.

Johanny Rosario Pichardo; Marine Sgt. Nicole L. Gee; Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez; Marine Cpl. Daegen W. Page; Marine Cpl. Humberto A.Sanchez; Marine Lance Cpl.

David L. Espinoza; Marine Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz; Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee J.

McCollum; Marine Lance Cpl.

Dylan R. Merola; Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui; Navy Hospital Man. Maxton W.

Soviak; and Army Staff Sgt.

Ryan C. Knauss.

United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover, who was 31 at the time of his death, was a West Memphis native and nephew of native local pastor Jeremey Soto and his wife Heather, who both serve the local community, at Victory Church of the Mid-South. in Marion.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is May 31. Scan the QR code on page one with your phone to be taken to a link to the application page.