Essay winner earns scholarship Published July 29, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Alexx Mercer 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Air Force Services, Food & Beverage Branch recently announced the winners of the 2015 Air Force Clubs Scholarship Program. Forty individuals were selected among 259 essay submissions; 10 winners received $1,000 scholarships and 30 earned $500 toward their education goals. Col. Douglas Gilpin, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group commander, took time to recognize Rebecca Jean Rhode, daughter of Gary Rhode, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron training superintendent, as the only winner awarded among Cannon applicants. This program is one of the many benefits of Air Force Club membership. Club members and their families were given the opportunity to submit a one page essay, 450 to 500 words, surrounding the question “Are we too dependent on access to digital information systems (smart phones, tablets, computers, call centers, etc.), and how has this changed our lives, considering it’s readily available 24 hours a day?” Rebecca’s essay, entitled “Everything in Moderation,” argued both sides of technological dependency, reminding readers of the benefits associated with modern advancements. “There are more people we need to protect; there is a greater need for fast information,” Rebecca stated in her essay. “There will always be a need for faster information – with the emergence of terrorists, it is important to stay ahead of threats and the actual acts of terrorism.” “Natural disasters like those that happened in Nepal, Haiti and Japan needed fast relief; diseases like Ebola needed to be contained before they could spread,” she continued. “We cannot survive in this day and age without technology; the faster we receive information, the faster we can solve global problems.” For more information regarding the annual scholarship program or Air Force Club program, visit the MyAirForceLife website.