Cadet Katie Watts of the Bloomfield Indiana NJROTC unit has been selected
by a group of active duty and retired cryptologists as the 2012 winner
of the RADM James S. McFarland NJROTC Scholarship. Her numerous achievements in school and her handwritten essay led
to her selection as this year's winner.
This
scholarship, in RADM James S. McFarland's name, was established in 2005
by Captain Mike Lambert while he was serving as Staff Director for the
Detainee Task Force for the Secretary of Defense, Honorable Donald H.
Rumsfeld.
This scholarship is supported through the generosity of many of
RADM J.S. McFarland's friends, Shipmates, colleagues and followers.
The
scholarship was originally intended for Naval Junior Reserve Officer
Training Corps (NJROTC) students at Butler County High School in
Morgantown, Kentucky. The scholarship came about from a visit to the
school by Captain Mike Lambert at the invitation of retired cryptologist
LCDR William Frank Starr. Captain Lambert was so inspired by the good
works of LCDR Starr and his Chief that he worked to establish the
scholarship.
Bloomfield Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp
Bloomfield Jr.-Sr. High School is one of six schools in the state of Indiana to offer a Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp program. Bloomfield NJROTC was established in 1994. In 2011 the Cadet Corps was comprised of approximately 21 % - one fifth of the Bloomfield student body, freshmen thru seniors. The NJROTC unit is a four year elective program. Students who participate are not obligated to any military service upon graduation. If Cadets are interested in the Armed Forces upon graduation from high school then by participating in this program for two years qualify for accelerated advancement and pay upon completion of basic training as well as additional consideration for college scholarship opportunities if seeking a commission to serve as an officer in the military.
LCDR
Frank Starr is the Senior Naval Science Instructor (SNSI) at Bloomfield
High School in Indiana. This scholarship followed him from Kentucky to
Alabama and now to Indiana.
Thank you Frank for your unselfish service to our Nation's youth!
Congratulations and good for Cadet Watts.
ReplyDeleteWhile she may be still in high school, is her essay available to read ... good ideas or thoughts can come from surprising places.
All three candidates were exceptional and worthy of this prestigious scholarship. Each had an impressive list of accomplishments, worthy career and educational goals, and a compelling essay. Each should be justifiably proud.
ReplyDeleteWell done and best wishes to each candidate, and congratulations Cadet Watts.