Two Culver Academies rowers have been awarded a scholarship honoring Culver Military Academy graduate and Marine, Andrew K. Stern '98, who was killed in Iraq in 2004. He is credited with saving the lives of his fellow Marines.
Culver Girls Academy senior Kiersten Blacker (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia) and CMA first classman Wallace Blum (Belfast, Maine) were named recipients of the 1st Lt. Andrew K. Stern Scholarship and Rowing Award.
The scholarships and awards are given annually to a first classman and a senior on the rowing team who best exemplify five central character traits that Stern exhibited: dedication, integrity, honesty, respect and joyfulness.
The scholarship is presented at the Andrew Stern Memorial Service Ceremony, where the team gathers to remember Stern's life.
Stern was a four-year Culver cadet in Battery C, served as Artillery battalion commander, and was a four-year rower and co-captain of Culver's crew team.
After graduating from Culver in 1998, Stern matriculated to the University of Tennessee and competed as a rower and later served as a coach on the crew team.
Upon graduation in 2002, Stern was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps.
On Sept. 16, 2004, Stern's life was cut short when he was killed in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, after he placed his tank between an improvised explosive device and members of a construction platoon building a road nearby, just as the device went off. He was 24 years old.
"His selfless act shielded to save the lives of many of his fellow Marines working nearby that day," CMA rowing coach Nathan Walker said.
Stern was recently recognized by Culver alumnus Randy Rose '64, a devout member of the Jewish community. During a ceremony at his synagogue, Rose included Stern's name in a memorial titled 'Martyrs of Pogost,' honoring his ultimate sacrifice in service.
As five central character traits guided every step of Stern's life, Walker said Wallace exemplifies the best character traits of Culver Rowing and lives up to Stern's high ideals of what it means to be a team captain.
CGA rowing coach Kerry Hassall said Blacker demonstrated these qualities consistently through every practice, race, and every moment on and off the water.
"She's the type of athlete who works hard in any boat she's placing, showing dedication not only to her own growth but to the success of the entire crew," Hassall said.
In tribute to Stern, the team concluded the ceremony with what Walker called a "good, hard practice" on the water.
Culver Rowing gathers for a huddle before heading onto the water.
