REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - The Rehoboth Beach Police Department is celebrating two local graduates who were awarded the Geoff and Ken Derrickson Memorial Scholarship. The fund honors the memory of twin brothers whose family wanted to thank the city's first responders.
This year’s recipients, Rylee Tipton and Kamryn Davis, received a combined $12,000 to support their college education.
Tipton, a 2025 graduate of Cape Henlopen High School, plans to attend Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, this fall. Davis, who is graduating from Sussex Tech, will begin her studies at the University of Delaware.
Davis, who is graduating from Sussex Tech, will begin her studies at the University of Delaware. (Rehoboth Beach Police Department)
The Derrickson scholarship was established by Betsy Baumeister and Bob Derrickson in memory of their sons, Geoff and Ken Derrickson, who both died young. According to the family, the scholarship was created to show gratitude for the care and compassion the family received from Rehoboth Beach’s first responders during their time of loss.
The scholarship is open to members of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Department and the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, as well as their dependents. Fire department junior members and seasonal police cadets are also eligible to apply.
According to the department, award recipients are selected based on leadership, participation in service organizations and academic performance. All awardees must be in good standing with either the police department or fire company.