Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania – June 9, 2026: The Andrew Budraitis Foundation is pleased to announce John Visco as the recipient of its 2026 Lehigh Valley Veterans Scholarship. Visco is a graduate of Parkland High School in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
A Sergeant in the United States Army, Visco served seven years on active duty as an Infantry Soldier before transitioning to higher education. He is currently a junior at DeSales University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security, and is on track to graduate in May 2027.
Visco chose the field of Homeland Security as a direct extension of his military service – driven by a commitment to protecting and serving his fellow Americans in new ways. With a focus on emergency management, he sees his academic path as a continuation of the values instilled during his years in uniform.
“After serving my country for 7 years as an active-duty Army Infantryman, I realized that I am not done serving. This major gives me the opportunity to work in a field of emergency management and help my fellow Americans who need it. It gives me the chance to make a difference in someone’s life.” – John Visco, 2026 Veterans Scholarship Recipient
Upon graduating, Visco plans to apply with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and intends to pursue opportunities throughout the agencies of the Department of Homeland Security to utilize the full breadth of the skills he developed through his Army service. He views the combination of his military experience and his Homeland Security degree as an asset to this nation.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the applicants who demonstrated their passion and dedication through their impressive applications.
Thank you to our generous donors and supporters, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your invaluable contributions.
The Andrew Budraitis Foundation Scholarship is a committee-coordinated scholarship fund established at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation in 2022. The Andrew Budraitis Foundation is a component fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity.