WATCH: REJ Memorial Scholarship Foundation Honors Eastern Florida State’s Dr. Jim Richey, Board of Trustees

Reginald E. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Foundation has helped over 1,500 students

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Reginald E. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Foundation recognized Eastern Florida State College President Dr. Jim Richey, the EFSC Board of Trustees and EFSC Foundation Executive Director of Operations Tonya Cherry for their support in helping the REJ Foundation to award scholarships to graduating Brevard County high school seniors.

The Reginald E. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships in May of each year to graduating seniors of Brevard County high schools.

The winners must be planning to attend an accredited college, university, or technical/trade school. The Reginald E. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Foundation is a group of dedicated citizens who seek to promote educational opportunities for students, with a need for financial assistance, in memory of the late Cadet Reginald E. Johnson.

The scholarship award is awarded to deserving students who have a commitment to excellence. The winners are expected to maintain an attitude and manner representing the high standards set by Cadet Reginald E. Johnson.

Humanitarian Honoree Eugene C. Johnson Honors Son’s Memory With Scholarship Foundation

ABOVE VIDEO: Chief Master Sergeant Eugene Johnson has dedicated himself to honoring his son’s memory by helping Brevard County students to blossom to their fullest potential. More than 1,500 graduating students – young men and women of all races and religions – in Brevard high schools have received Foundation scholarships so their dreams can become reality. (Video produced in 2017)

In the spring of 1980, Reginald E. Johnson was just 21 days shy of the biggest day in his young life: graduation from West Point.

He had already received his assignment as a second lieutenant with special forces in Ft. Benning. His father, Chief Master Sergeant Eugene Johnson, had instilled in Reggie a strong work ethic and the desire to serve his country.

While at Satellite Beach High School, Reggie excelled in basketball, football, and track. The student-athlete also had a high GPA and was vice president of his high school class. At West Point, he broke the record in the long jump.

Reggie had the whole world ahead. Just 21 days before graduation, however, the unfathomable happened, and Reggie died in an accident during training maneuvers.

His parents and younger sister Iona, also a West Point cadet, were enveloped by the love and support of the Space Coast community. When friends offered flowers in Reggie’s memory, Eugene Johnson instead suggested they use the money to help other young people achieve their dreams.

Thus was born the Reginald E. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Foundation, established by the Pride of Melbourne Masonic Lodge #318.

Dreams Become Reality

Johnson, president emeritus of the Foundation, has dedicated himself to honoring Reggie’s memory by helping Brevard students to blossom to their fullest potential.

More than 1,500 graduating students – young men and women of all races and religions – in Brevard high schools have received Foundation scholarships so their dreams can become reality.

“We have lawyers, doctors and dentists who have told us they were able to finish their education because of Reggie’s scholarship,” said Johnson.

Reggie Johnson would have accomplished great things, but even though his promising young life was cut too short, Reggie still has achieved much, thanks to the scholarship his father helped to found.

“So many positive things happened because of him,” said Eugene Johnson.

“He was a humble young man who would have been so proud that all this happened because of him.”

Johnson was honored in memoriam during the 2017 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN ALUMNI

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