Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Cadet Katie Watts wins 2012 RADM James S. McFarland NJROTC Scholarship Award


 
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!

2 comments:

  1. Congratulations and good for Cadet Watts.

    While she may be still in high school, is her essay available to read ... good ideas or thoughts can come from surprising places.

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  2. 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.

    Well done and best wishes to each candidate, and congratulations Cadet Watts.

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