Memorial Ever Upward Scholarship honors Casey Frankoski

ALBANY, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) — In honoring America’s fallen heroes, NEWS10 has exclusive details on how one local college is planning to honor one of the area’s most recent fallen National Guard Pilots. Casey Frankoski was killed when her helicopter crashed on the Texas-Mexico border earlier this year.

“We thought of no better way to honor this family, our student who lost her life, to create the Casey Frankoski Memorial Ever Upward Scholarship, ” said Jamie Hicks-Furgang, Assistant Vice President, Development and Alumni Engagement at Excelsior University .

A very special honor for the family of Chief Warrant Officer Two, Casey Frankoski who was taking classes at the school.

Casey’s Aunt, Lisa Frankoski, tells NEWS10 Excelsior was a perfect fit for her niece. “One, her dad and her aunt taught there. But also, that they were very military friendly, and the schedule was just so flexible with her career. She was working for the National Guard at the time, she was also deployed to Kuwait for over a year. So, the schedule to complete her coursework as she was so organized and driven, was just what she needed,” said Aunt Lisa.

The scholarship is designed to help any student in need. Anybody can donate to help make the scholarship permanent. “Any scholarship at Excelsior University that reaches the threshold of $25,000 will be an endowed scholarship and that’ll be something that’s a legacy for Casey at Excelsior University,” said Hicks-Furgang.

Casey studied Emergency Management at the university. “Because public service was a natural fit for her,” said Lisa.  And she was just about to finish her schooling. “She was on her last class that Excelsior University.”

The college decided to honor Casey’s efforts. “[She’s] working so hard, serving our country, trying to finish her degree in Emergency Management. So, the university has awarded her, her degree. That was delivered to her family, her parents,” exclaimed Hicks-Furgang.

NEWS10 Reporter James De La Fuente has been exclusively following along with the families of the victims from that tragic helicopter crash. And whether it be at a walk to honor their children, or at a local sporting event where the families were honored by a coin toss and given footballs, to now, a scholarship in Casey’s name , the family remains intent on keeping Casey’s memory alive.

“She packed an awful lot of successes and accomplishments in her 28 years. So, this is just one more we want to add for her,” said Casey’s Aunt.

For now, the family has asked that we respect their privacy as they continue to grieve and mourn.

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