Eight New Dalton Scholarship Recipients Announced for 2026
Chuck Merlo | Published on 6/30/2026
The Air Force Public Affairs Association has selected eight recipients for the 2026 Brig. Gen. H.J. Dalton Scholarship Program. They are:
SSgt Christopher Arellano
USAF Regional Bandsman – Guitarist
PACAF Band
Yokota AB, Japan
SrA Karlee J. Kamminga
USAF Regional Bandsman – Horn
Heartland of America Band
Offutt AFB, NE
GS-12 Tenelle Marshall
Audiovisual Production Specialist
SAF/PAI
Pentagon
A1C Gabriel Preusse Martins
USAF Regional Bandsman – Bass
Band of the Golden West
Travis AFB, CA
MSgt Devin Nothstine
Public Affairs Craftsman
1st Combat Camera Squadron
Joint Base Charleston, SC
SSgt Makenna Patterson
Public Affairs Specialist
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
SrA Benjamin Roberts
Staff Arranger
USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia
Yokota AB, Japan
1st Lt Lyca Steelman
Chief of Command Information
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Kunsan AB, South Korea
"Normally, five $1,000 scholarships are awarded each year," said Chuck Merlo, chairman of AFPAA’s Dalton Scholarship Committee "but an anonymous donor provided funding for two more scholarships. One recipient did not request the full $1,000 allowing the remaining funds to be provided to an eighth applicant.
Merlo said “Thirteen applications were received this year. Each applicant was recognized by their supervisors as outstanding performers. AFPAA wishes we could have provided each a scholarship. However, with the funds available, our priority was to select recipients based upon their course of study and what would provide the greatest possible return to the Air Force.”
The scholarship program honors the legacy of Brig. Gen. H.J. Dalton, the first career Public Affairs officer to be promoted to brigadier general and lead SAF/PA.
“General Dalton worked tirelessly throughout his military and civilian careers to promote the advancement of the Public Affairs profession. He was absolutely committed to mentoring and encouraging the professional development of Public Affairs personnel” said Merlo.
Any enlisted, officer or civilian Air Force member, whether active, guard or reserve, working in one of the specialties of the Public Affairs career field – Band, Broadcasting, Visual Information/Combat Camera and Public Affairs – is eligible for a Dalton Scholarship.