DAVIS, Calif. -- John Gomez, a senior at Davis Senior High School, speaks to friends and families after receiving the Frederick C. Branch Scholarship from Sgt. Sean Powers (left), recruiter, Marine Recruiting Station Sacramento, and Staff Sgt. William Hafel, IV (right), during a presentation here, May 15, 2015. Gomez plans to attend Hampton University, a historically black university in Hampton, Va. The Frederick C. Branch Scholarship is named after the first African American officer in the Marine Corps. It provides up to $180,000 for college tuition and assistance. Gomez was selected to receive the prestigious Frederick C. Branch Scholarship after competing against other candidates throughout the central valley region. An avid volunteer, Gomez clocked over 200 volunteer hours through the Davis Food Co-op and the Davis Children's Nutcracker as a group leader. His path has been challenging, as his older brother, James, suddenly passed away in 2013 at the age of 20 years old. Gomez said his brother's death had a profound impact on him, but he persevered to succeed and achieve a 3.84 GPA. (photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob H. Harrer / released)