“Not by ability, but by heart”
1st Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins Patriot Spirit Scholarship
The 1st Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins Patriot Spirit Scholarship is a service-based scholarship in honor of and in memory of Robert Wilson Collins, a 2004 graduate of Sandy Creek High School. He was commissioned into the U.S. Army as an Infantry 2nd Lieutenant. He also successfully completed Airborn
e and Ranger training. This scholarship is designed to award a deserving student who most appropriately represents the various positive character traits exemplified by Robert as a high school student, USMA cadet, leader of men as a platoon leader, and servant to our country. The heading quote, “Not by ability, but by heart,” captures for the applicant the measure of 1LT Collins’ character. While Robert had outstanding ability in many areas of life, it was his heart for service, leadership, witty and engaging communications, courage, and deep compassion for others that set him apart from the mainstream. These characteristics brought him earned respect from virtually all who knew him. Because of his great zeal to work hard, serve others, be widely involved in school and community life, and never miss an opportunity to move forward, Robert was loved and respected by his family, peers, teachers, community leaders, professors, military seniors, and the men he bravely and capably led into combat.
