Interested in applying for the 2025 Sgt. Dillon Semolina Scholarship? We will be accepting applications starting the spring of 2025. Contact us for more information.
Class of 2024
May 8, 2024: the official day to be given the honorable opportunity to hold Dillon Semolina’s legacy that will truly last a lifetime. Learning about his story and his family has genuinely been such an essential part of this year, and even my high school journey. I would’ve absolutely loved to meet him and live through Dillon’s spark, and his true ability and personality that lit up any room he entered. From the conversations with Lisa and Mike, to his sister Celeste’s presence today at the ceremony, it was one of those remarkable experiences one never forgets. It is crazy to realize that Dillon strolled the halls of Delano Senior High School, where 700 Elm Ave E was just the first stop on his aspiring journey in the midst of the world. Furthermore, the generosity from Dillon’s family to further live his name, spread his story, and inspire others is an experience I am eager to further establish to the people in my life. Hearing his story from his amazing family and his peers, his leadership throughout not only our high school, but also the community, will never be forgotten. His sacrifice in the United States Marines Corps and for our beloved country will be something that sticks with me throughout the duration of my life. I will continue to motivate myself on the basis of this scholarship and his story, as the generosity and trust given to me by Sergeant Dillon Semolina’s family will be cherished. I am beyond excited to continue his legacy through life’s endeavors.
Best, William
Class of 2023
To be selected as the recipient of such a meaningful, generous scholarship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. While creating my essay for the Sgt. Dillon Semolina Scholarship, I reflected on individuals in my life who have served or are currently serving and how they have shaped my life. Dillon’s story has inspired me to learn more about their service and how I can emulate their dedication. Exploring Dillon’s story was an adventure in itself. From the small glimpse of his life that is displayed on his website and talking with his parents, I understand that he was indeed one of a kind. His fellow Marines, friends, and family have endless stories and positive moments to share about him. Some of Dillon’s most admirable traits are service, loyalty, and motivation. In all my endeavors, I will aspire to uphold these values and remain dedicated to any goal I strive to achieve. Dillon’s parents, Lisa and Mike, have presented me with a remarkable opportunity, supporting me in more ways than one. This generous scholarship, created in Dillon’s honor, has formed a special bond between us. With open arms, Lisa and Mike have welcomed me into their lives and trusted me with one of their most valuable assets; the legacy of their son. Although I never got the opportunity to meet Dillon, he has profoundly impacted my life in an incredibly short time. I feel motivated to become the best version of myself because that is how Dillon led his life, as the best version of himself. By accepting this scholarship, I have vowed to take care of his memory and to share his story wherever I go.
Grace
APRIL 8, 2024 - Updates From Grace
Hey, everyone! This is Grace coming to you from Eau Claire, Wisconsin! I am now wrapping up my first year at UW-Eau Claire and it has been a wonderful, yet challenging experience. So far, I’ve made many new friends and have been enjoying living in the dorms, though it’s a little bit of a tight squeeze sometimes. My roommate and I get along great and will move into a house together next fall. This past fall, I spent a lot of time playing sand volleyball with friends and hope to resume when spring finally arrives. As planned, all of my classes are going well and have been very interesting. I have made a tweak to my major, moving from
Class of 2022
There are moments that we can all point to that changed us; for me one such moment was learning that I would be the recipient of the Sergeant Dillon Semolina Memorial Scholarship in 2022. The process of applying for scholarships had become so mundane and normal, but this one felt different. Dillon represents so much more than one man. The Few, The Proud. Marines are known for going above and beyond what many would, Dillon exemplified all of this and more. To me he was someone who loved the work that he did and was someone that loved those around him. Now I am joining a different set of few, but yet we are still proud of what we have accomplished in Dillon’s name. I will give everything to the work that I do just as he did for each of us carries of peace of him with us, and I am glad to keep that piece with me. To carry Dillon’s legacy with me means that I must honor those around me and the nation that I will soon serve. We owe it to the proud men like Dillon to live in their honor every day. I will live the rest of my life serving the legacy of Sergeant Dillon Semolina. This scholarship gives me great opportunities to do amazing things with my life, all the while carrying a piece of Dillon with me.
Thank you for this honor,
Respectfully,
Gentry Nuytten
Update from Gentry: 5.10.2024
It’s crazy how fast the past two years have gone at St.Thomas, and it has been a great time. I’ve made amazing friends and had some great opportunities both inside and outside of academia. ROTC has been a fantastic program for me. There has been lots that I’ve had to learn but it’s a great program for me. Engineering has been a tough major choice but I am working to understand it the best that I can. I am lucky enough to get to carry Dillon’s legacy with me every day. Thank you again for the fantastic support.
Best,
Gentry Nuytten
Class of 2024 - William ($3,000 Recipient)
Class of 2023 - Grace ($2,500 Recipient)
Marketing to Economics because of a very interesting Microeconomics class that I took my first semester. With finals season coming up, I will need to buckle down and finish strong. As always, a huge thanks to Lisa and Mike for their generous scholarship and support throughout this journey!
With love,
Grace
Class of 2022 - Gentry Nuytten ($2,500 Recipient)
Class of 2021
“After hearing that I was given the privilege to be the single recipient of the Sergeant Dillon Semolina scholarship in 2021, I was very humbled and honored to have been selected and found myself somewhat emotional. I was moved by the words of the presenter that a part of Dillon would always be present in the award’s recipient, and now am so very honored to be the one senior at Delano High School who was selected for that privilege to carry on Dillon’s legacy and selflessness as part of me. When originally starting to write the essay application, I felt the need to venture out and find out exactly what kind of kid Dillon was. After asking some people, and reading about Dillon’s story, I quickly began to see similarities between myself and Dillon. I find it very interesting that I can relate so well at a personal level with someone who was selfless enough to risk his life for our country. A past student at Delano with such a legacy hits so close to home for someone like me because I have grown up striving to be a person like that of Dillon Semolina. I view this scholarship as an opportunity to continue to preserve Dillon’s great story of heroism. I now have the opportunity to develop myself to be the best possible version of myself with Dillon there with me, granting me the honor to openly share the life story of Dillon Semolina.”
- Adam Brown
JANUARY 14, 2022 - Updates From Adam
Hello everybody, it’s Adam Brown, checking in from Moorhead Minnesota with an update on my first semester of college! I am having a great time meeting new friends and having fun while, of course, making sure to stay on top of my schoolwork. While I have met a lot of people in my first semester, I’ve really grown to be very close with my roommate. Both my roommate and I played and enjoyed our first year of college football and are just beginning our spring workouts in the coming weeks. Overall, my experience in Moorhead and in college has been a success because I’ve performed academically while also growing a ton personally. I’ve also learned some new things, such as I’m actually pretty good at writing but don’t really like detailed data & analytics, and I look forward to the many experiences to come this spring! Without a doubt, none of us can completely say we are quite ready to get back into the swing of things after the long winter break we just had but we are left with no other choice. We actually started classes today and I think the kids from the south were wondering what to wear when it was -19 degrees out. At least I can say I was prepared for that! Again, I am very thankful for the financial help this scholarship has provided and also the stories it has allowed me to share and carry on.
Here's to a great 2022!
Best, Adam
Class of 2021 - Adam Brown ($3,500 Recipient)
Class of 2020
“Upon being informed that I was the recipient of this scholarship, I was elated and felt a profound sense of honor. I felt the power of Dillon's legacy and the opportunity to represent him. As I prepared to fill out the application, I didn't realize the sacredness of this scholarship until I read the story of Sgt. Dillon Semolina's life. What it stands for and what it means is incredibly unique and sentimental, as it embodies the life of a man who lived admirably. I read and watched videos about Dillon, and was thoroughly impressed by how personable our fallen soldier was, and it made me wish I could have known him. Just as I have tried in my own life, Dillon strived to become the best version of himself and aimed to always serve others. Upon this realization, it is sobering to know that we lost an amazing man, who was also a son, husband, brother, and friend. For me, earning this scholarship provides more sentimental value than monetary value. Being the recipient is an honor, as I am now a representative of Sgt. Dillon Semolina. This is something that I will never forget, and as I move forward, I will share his story of bravery and dedication with others.”
- Spencer Poll
Class of 2020 - Spencer Poll ($2,500 Recipient)
MARCH 22, 2022 - Updates From Spencer
Hey everybody! At this point in my life, I am serving a two year church mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! After finishing my first year at the University of Utah, I decided that I needed to give some time to the Lord, after all He had done for me. It wasn't an easy decision (it still isn't), yet I've seen so many blessings come from serving others and inviting them to come unto Christ. Each day has it's various trials, but each hardship fades away as I feel the joy that Christ brings. As I serve others, I often keep Dillon in mind. We teach people where we go after we die, and I know that Dillon's spirit still lives. I find peace in that, and I strive to maintain the legacy and honor that comes with the Dillon Semolina Scholarship. Through it all, John 16:33 sums it up best, as Jesus says, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." No matter how crazy this life and our world can get, we can be of good cheer knowing that we can rely on our Savior, who has overcome it all.
Elder Poll
Class of 2019 - Trent Peterson ($3,500 Recipient)
Class of 2018
"Receiving this scholarship from the Sgt. Dillon Semolina Scholar-
ship Fund was an absolute honor and one of the most memorable
moments in my life. When my high school counselor handed me
the application for the scholarship I had no idea I had the chance
to receive something so much more than a scholarship; I received
a second family and a guardian angel. Before I started writing the
essay for the scholarship, I went to the website and began to read
about Dillon and watched the videos that commemorated him. quickly
realized he and I have a lot in common. We both have a
strong competitive spirit as we both competed in varsity sports,
a special place in our hearts for family and friends, and most
importantly a desire to help others. I was excited to conduct the
Skype interview yet the nerves began to build as the interview
was about to begin. However, Mister and Misses Semolina-De La Cruz
were so kind and welcoming that the nerves quickly subsided. I loved hearing Dillon’s story coming from them and I could feel the pride and unconditional love that they hold in their hearts for Dillon. I was truly amazed by Dillon’s story as it was so powerful that I started to become emotional as they shared. I am extremely grateful to be so warmly welcomed into their family. This scholarship will help me accomplish my goal in studying Medical Laboratory Sciences at the University of North Dakota and going onto Physical Therapy school after graduation. It is an amazing feeling to know that I will forever have Dillon watching over me and guiding me through life. It is my responsibility to live every single day with the drive, integrity, and compassion that I know Dillon would and it is a true honor knowing that is my duty. Thank You."
- Brendan Kalous
Brendan's Mother and Father describe "....The connection and blessing . . ." "We are extremely honored that Brendan was selected to receive the 2018 Sgt. Dillion Seminola Scholarship. Brendan immediately felt a connection to Mike and Lisa De Cruz after applying and interviewing with them through Skype. We are humbled by the kindness that Mike and Lisa have shown through the memories of their son. The scholarship has been a blessing financially as Brendan pursues his dreams. He is attending the University of North Dakota with goals of majoring in Medical Laboratory Science and Pre-Physical Therapy."
- Brenda and Chad Kalous
UPDATE: 1.14.2019
Hello everyone! I have finished up my first semester of college at the University of North Dakota and it has been an amazing experience. I have made some great new friends and have experienced a lot of new things. My three roommates and I have become very close and are best friends. We do just about everything together and love living together. My classes went very well. The transition from high school to college was not too difficult and I feel like Delano High School did a very good job preparing me for the college workload. My favorite part of going to school at UND easily has to be going to the men’s hockey games. If you ever find yourself in Grand Forks, North Dakota during the hockey season you have to attend a game at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. The stadium is gorgeous, and the atmosphere and fans are like nothing else I have ever experienced.
I have just started my second semester this past week and so far, I enjoy all my classes. We all enjoy complaining about the weather up here in the harsh winter and I have had to learn the bus routes to avoid having to walk to classes in the blistering cold. But despite the cold during the school year, there is nowhere I would rather be receiving my college education. I am very excited for this spring semester and the many memories I will make. Thank you to the Semolina-De La Cruz Family and the Sgt. Dillon Semolina Scholarship Fund for helping make all of this possible. Receiving this scholarship was a true honor and I am very proud to have honored Dillon’s memory by receiving a higher education to better myself and prepare myself for a successful future.
UPDATE: 8.9.20
Hello Everyone,
I just finished the summer semester of my sophomore year and am about to start my junior year in two weeks! I will be earning a minor in Psychology this coming year with a certificate in behavioral health. I will be applying for physical therapy school here at the University of North Dakota this winter and am super excited to be starting graduate school starting next year (pending acceptance of course). I joined the Special Olympics Club on campus this last year and it has been so much fun! Our Special Olympics team won the state championship for flag football last fall. Living on campus in Grand Forks this past year has been a blast! My friends and I have spent this summer working, golfing and skateboarding together. I’ve been working on my golf game this summer and although progress has been made, there is still much room for improvement. I am excited for what my future holds as my undergraduate studies come to an end this school year. Thank you again to the Semolina-De La Cruz Family and the Sgt. Dillon Semolina Scholarship Fund for helping make all of this possible
Class of 2018 - Brendan Kalous ($2,000 Recipient)
Class of 2019
“I am deeply grateful to be the 2019 recipient of the very generous Sgt. Dillon Semolina Scholarship. It would have been great to have known Dillon. After having met his family and having learned about the person he was, and after having visited the Sgt. Dillon Semolina Scholarship website, it is my belief that Dillon was both a remarkable and an admirable young man. It is my honor to, in even a small way, help to keep Dillon’s memory alive by using the scholarship which is dedicated to him in a positive way. I will do my best to represent Dillon’s legacy well in a way which would have made him proud and in a way which will make his family proud.I am planning to attend Michigan Technological Institute in Houghton, Michigan next fall to major in computer engineering, and I’m specifically interested in the area of cyber security. In addition, with military men such as Dillon as my inspiration, it is my desire to become a member of the Air Force. Like Dillon, it has been my passion since childhood to become a member of the military. To follow that dream, I intend to join the ROTC program at Michigan Tech in the fall, with an intent to graduate in 2023 as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.”
- Trent Peterson
JANUARY 14, 2020 - Updates From Trent
The ROTC program is going extremely well! It has been hard work but well worth it. Attached is a picture of me in my uniform. The first semester of the ROTC program is about learning how to be a member of the military and of the US Air Force. They also teach us the responsibilities of being a member of the military and what that represents. All of this knowledge has been very enlightening for me, and I have learned a lot about myself and how I am as a leader.
As part of the ROTC program, I joined the MTU precision Drill team and color guard. I will attach a picture of the team. This has been a great opportunity for me to meet people in the Detachment and learn something while doing it. It is hard work. We practice 3 times a week but it is gratifying. We had our first show on Veterans day in November at a local high school. Here is a video of that performance. Sorry for the poor quality. it was shot on a phone. I am the second cadet to walk into the gym.
Overall the first semester took a lot of effort but I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the next semester. Next semester I will be serving as the Detachment’s General Military Course Adviser. This is a position that is given to a first- or second-year cadet. The purpose of the position is to give the wing commander the opinion of the underclassmen (also known as General Military Course Cadets). I am excited to serve in this role and hope that I am able to represent my peers well.
I am very thankful to you for helping me attend Michigan Tech through your generosity! In addition, I appreciate your friendship and will continue to keep you posted if you are interested.
I wish you all the best in 2020!
Warm Regards
Trent Peterson
Class of 2017 - Brendan Kalous ($2,000 Recipient)
Class of 2017
"From the first time I met the Semolina family and heard Dillon's story, I knew something special was at hand. Dillon and I are similar in more ways than we are not. We both have an unmatched self-drive to be the best version of ourselves, we both thrive on being positive in every situation, and we keep our friends and family close as we know those are the people who matter the most in life. Through the Dillon Semolina Scholarship, I have gained someone special who I hope to impress every single day. Whether it is through school, clubs and organizations, or just the relationships I have formed while at the University of Minnesota, I know there is someone always looking over me every step of the way. As equally important, I have gained a second family that supports me in everything I hope to do in life. I will never be able to thank the Semolina family enough for what they have done for me. All I can do is wake up every day trying to emanate the positive characteristics that connect Dillon and I."
- Brandyn Wales
Brandyn's Mother, Becca also describes "....what this scholarship meant"
"It is difficult to put into words what the Dillon Semolina Scholarship means to us. Brandyn came home after his initial scholarship interview and could not stop talking about how amazing Dillon's family is. From that initial meeting, an incredible bond has formed that will go far beyond college. Brandyn has been in contact and met with the family several times since starting college and has gotten to know them better and Dillon through them creating a friendship that is so special. The honor of this scholarship was definitely a financial help, but has become so much more meaningful than that. Brandyn has and will continue to work hard to honor Dillon and his family and will we will all make sure to stay in contact with this amazing family that has been such a blessing to us in many ways."
- Becca Wales
FEBRUARY 4, 2019 - Updates From Brandyn
"Hi everyone,
I am just starting my spring semester of my junior year at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and plan on graduating in December of 2019. I have officially declared a marketing major with a business analytics and management minor. I have fallen in love with the sales side of marketing and plan on going into a sales career after college. It feels like I just moved into my freshmen dorm and I now only have two semesters left until I'm off on my own in the real world as some like to call it. My time here at the U of M (Go Gophs!) has been life changing. I have built relationships that I know will last the rest of my life, I have found what I'm most interested in studying and how that will play a role in my future, and I have had a lot of fun while doing it which is probably the most important part.
Some other things I have been involved in over the last few years are: (1) becoming a member of the U of M sales team which sparked my interest in the challenge, but excitement that the world of sales offers, (2) co-founding the Speakers on Success Club where we aim at providing students with the opportunity to better both their personal and professional success through guest speakers, workshops, discussions, and community events, and (3) competing in a number of intramural sports including hockey, basketball, softball, soccer, and flag football.
As you can tell, I like to stay involved which is one similarity where I have always connected with Dillon, but it's also his passion and caring personality that I try to take with me through anything I do. It has been an absolute honor to represent the Sgt. Dillon Semolina Scholarship and I can't thank the Semolina family enough for allowing me to pursue my dreams.
Best regards,
Brandyn Wales"
JUNE 15, 2020 - Updates From Brandyn
"Hi everyone,
As of December 2019, I officially graduated from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities with a major in Marketing and a minor in Business Analytics and Management. What a ride it was! When they say your college experience will fly by in the blink of an eye, they aren't kidding. I feel like just yesterday I was a senior in high school with no real idea of what I wanted to do except for attend a D1 university and study something business-related. Thankfully, I went into college with an open mind and a curiosity to experience everything the U of M had to offer- and that I did! I was fortunate enough to be a member of the University of Minnesota Sales Team, co-founder of the Speakers on Success Club, and a participant in six different intramural sports.
Upon graduation, I accepted a full-time job with Gartner, the world's leading IT research and advisory company, as an Account Executive in our Global Technology Sales department. I could not have found this opportunity without my extensive involvement during my time at college. One piece of advice I would give is don't be afraid to "be comfortable with the uncomfortable". We can only grow if we are willing to step out of our comfort zone and try new things.
If you are reading this, you know Dillon was never one to back down from a challenge. It is his unwavering courage, unprecedented drive, and kindness to all, among many other qualities, that we should try embody every single day! It continues to be an absolute honor to represent the Sgt. Dillon Semolina Scholarship and I can't thank the Semolina family enough in supporting my passions and dreams!
Best regards,
Brandyn Wales"