Stanley M. Zedalis Military Affiliated Student Scholarship
The Stanley M. Zedalis Military Affiliated Student Scholarship is an annual grant of $500 designed to support a military
connected student enrolled at UNCSA while honoring the service of a disabled veteran of the US Armed Forces. The
scholarship is open to all UNCSA graduate, undergraduate and high school students who meet the eligibility requirements. During 2017, a grant of $500 will be awarded to two recipients. The Scholarship is to provide money for
educational supplies/costs. Award recipients are selected by the UNCSA Military-Connected Student Task Force.
This year’s scholarship honors a Purple Heart recipient and UNCSA School of Music alumnus Corporal John Hyland.
2017 Honoree— Corporal John Hyland
Purple Heart Recipient and UNCSA School of Music Alumnus
“Singing opera's not something you talk about much to your combat buddies"
UNCSA alumnus and North Carolina native
John Hyland ’97 has come full circle, but not
without every ounce of determination and
bravery he could muster.
After graduating from high school in
Charlotte, where he was active in musical
theatre, Hyland moved to Winston-Salem
to help his grandparents. He began taking
singing lessons at UNCSA’s Community
Music School with Martha Teachey, who
recognized his talent and encouraged him
to pursue a career in opera.
He auditioned and was accepted to the
School of Music at UNCSA. He studied vocal
performance and opera with Glenn Siebert
and later, Derrick Lawrence. During this
time, Hyland made his debut with Piedmont
Opera and also sang at the Brevard Music
Center and at the Opera Festival di Roma in Italy. To make ends meet, he picked up work as a temp in the UNCSA
Summer Session Office and did some catering work at Salem College.
After school, Hyland landed in New York, where he performed a variety of roles including being an understudy in
The Phantom of the Opera. Eventually, he returned to the Southeast to start a family and resumed working in the food
service industry - managing several restaurants.
Meeting a U.S. Army veteran at one of those restaurants prompted Hyland to take the Army entrance test. He tested
well and joined the Army at age 33, where he trained to be a Cavalry Scout, an elite position that performs reconnaissance and enemy intelligence-gathering missions. In October 2006, Corporal Hyland was deployed to Iraq, where he
was stationed with B Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, at Forward Operating Base Normandy. His team of
Scouts searched for combatants in enemy territory.
1
On a mission near Baghdad on Sept. 11, 2007, Hyland was the gunner in a vehicle that was hit by an improvised
explosive device, or IED. He sustained extensive pelvic and back injuries and lost his left leg below the knee. Doctors
told him he would never be able to walk on his own again.
His road to recovery took him to Germany, then Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., before finally
stopping at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He endured more than 30 surgeries.
In 2009, Hyland was recommended by his former brigade commander to participate in a program called "Operation
Proper Exit." The program was designed to give wounded soldiers the opportunity to see development and progress
in the geographical area where they were wounded.
Hyland used the trip as an opportunity for growth and left his wheelchair in the United States, carrying out the visit on
foot – a feat thought impossible only two years earlier. Hyland said he was impressed by the changes he found.
"There's a soccer field and a market where I got hurt and before, there was nothing there" he said.
After his trip, Hyland returned to San Antonio and resumed his recovery at Brooke Army Medical Center until it came
time for his medical retirement from the military in 2010. He retired as a Sergeant with a Meritorious Service Medal,
in addition to his Purple Heart.
Since then, Hyland has spent time raising his three children with his wife, Erica, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse.
With her support, he returned to his first love: singing.
On Memorial Day Weekend—2010, Hyland was selected to sing the national anthem for the Coca-Cola 600 in his
hometown of Charlotte. He has also sung the national anthem at Madison Square Garden and at a host of other
occasions. In addition, he frequently sings at Community Bible Church – an interdenominational mega-church in
San Antonio – with his son, Hunter, who attends North East School of the Arts.
Most recently, the elder Hyland performed with Opera San Antonio and, just a few weeks ago, made his solo career
return, singing Petite Messe Solennelle with the San Antonio Symphony’s Mastersingers. He also gives voice lessons.
“I personally have come a long way from the battlefield in Iraq nine years ago and refuse to let that and the injuries
define the rest of my life,” Hyland said. “I'm so blessed God saved my life and is giving me another chance at my
singing career.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Y7uIgStO0&sns=fb
http://www.texasmonthly.com/promotion/pbr-celebrate-america-hero-cowboy-tough/
http://www.army.mil/article/43548/Wounded_Iraq_vet_retires_with_full_Cav_honors/
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/world/middleeast/15exit.html?_r=0
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fabio-periera/the-singing-soldier-the-s_b_593589.html
http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/fans/news/wounded-veteran-corporal-john-hyland-sing-national-anthemcoca-cola-600.html
http://www.ksat.com/news/volunteers-give-wounded-veteran-home-makeover
2
Premise:
A. $500 annual scholarship to provide money for educational supplies/costs
Scholarship shall benefit a military connected student enrolled at UNCSA (graduate, undergraduate or high school)
Eligibility Criteria:
1st Choice - Student Veteran who has sustained a US military combat related injury or wound that qualifies as a
disability according to the Veterans Administration (VA) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)*; or, a
Student Military Dependent whose parent or spouse has sustained a US military combat related injury or wound
that qualifies as a disability according to the Veterans Administration (VA) or the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA)*
2nd Choice - Student US Military Veteran or Student Active US Military (includes US Air Force, Air Force Reserve,
Air National Guard, Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard, Reserve, Marine
Corps, Navy, Navy Reserve)
3rd Choice – Student Military Dependent
Note: When two or more applicants are of equal qualification according to the categories noted above,
additional factors such as financial need may be considered.
2017 Deadlines:
May 5
Application available: www.uncsa.edu/registrar/military.htm and in the UNCSA Office of Financial Aid
May 31
Deadline to submit application
June 1– 15 Team members of the UNCSA Military-Connected Student Task Force review applications and select
two student awardees
June 23
Scholarship recipients announced
Interested applicants are encouraged to carefully read the criteria above. If you meet eligibility requirements and wish
to apply for the Stanley M. Zedalis Military Affiliated Student Scholarship, please:
Email the completed application form along with required documents attached by May 31 to [email protected].
Or, hand deliver the completed application form along with required documents attached by May 31 to the UNCSA
Financial Aid Office
If you have questions regarding the application or the scholarship, contact:
Erin Morin, UNCSA Registrar, [email protected] / 336-770-3295, or
Jorja Waybrant, UNCSA Coordinator – Learning Resources, [email protected]
To be considered for the Stanley M. Zedalis Military Affiliated Student Scholarship, your application and all required
materials must be submitted and/or received no later than May 31, 2017, 11:59pm EDT. Applications received after the
above-noted deadline will not be considered.
*The ADA definition of a disability may be more inclusive than the VA in considering a functional limitation as a disability if the functional limitation affects:
major life activities such as “caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting,
bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working.”
major bodily functions, which include “functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine and reproductive functions.”
3
Stanley M. Zedalis Military Affiliated Student Scholarship Application
Applicant Name: _______________________________________________________________________________
Art School and Major: __________________________________________________________________________
Expected Graduation Date: ______________________ Telephone: ____________________________________
Email Address: _______________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address during School Year:
Street _____________________________________________________________________________________
City_____________________________________ State _____________ Zip Code ______________________
US Military Status:
_____ Veteran
_____ Active Military
_____ Military Dependent
Do you have a US combat-related injury or wound with at least a 10% VA disability rating?
_____ Yes*
_____ No
Do you qualify as an individual with a disability under ADA?
_____ Yes*
_____ No
*If yes, please submit documentation to the office of Disability Resources on campus for
verification.
Proof of service in the United States Armed Forces and/or military dependent status is to be submitted with application:
_____ DD214
_____ Transfer of Benefits (dependents only)
Are you currently receiving any military benefits? _____ Yes _____ No
Have you filed a FAFSA and requested it be submitted to UNCSA? (not necessary for consideration for this scholarship)
_____ Yes _____ No
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense, felony or misdemeanor, or do you have any criminal, civil, military or
UNCSA charges pending? _____ Yes _____ No
4
Short Essay:
Please briefly describe yourself, your reason(s) for attending UNCSA, and your long term goals as an artist and citizen (250 word
minimum).
5
By signing below, I attest that:

I will be enrolled in the University of North Carolina School of the Arts as a graduate, undergraduate or high school student in
fall of 2017.

I give permission for the UNCSA Financial Aid Office to rank my application among applicants to demonstrate need.
_____________________________________________
_________________
SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT
DATE
Please note: This is a self-renewing application unless we are informed otherwise.
6