WASHINGTON, D.C. On the evening of Sept. 13, Tyler Lee Lewis, a native of Ranson who currently attends Shepherd University, was awarded a Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation scholarship at the Great Hall of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Lewis joined 19 of his peers, all children of Marines, in representing the more than 1,600 students from across the country who are benefiting from the foundation’s investment of nearly $5 million in their higher education for this academic year.

Lewis, son of MSgt. Thomas Howard, was eligible for the scholarship as the child of a Marine. Lewis said his greatest influence and role model is his father. He is currently enrolled as a criminal justice major at Shepherd and is considering enlisting in the Marines.

“I would have to say that my stepfather has been very influential in my life thus far,” Lewis said. “He has encouraged me to attend college after high school and has made me want to excel in what I do. I enjoy spending time with him and his fellow Marines because they are a good group of men.”