Students in the Air Force Junior ROTC program at Sandy Creek High have earned military scholarships each year since the program was implemented. This year is no exception with two students earning full scholarships and one gaining admission to West Point.

Sean Williams and Frank Conenna have been offered full four-year Air Force ROTC and Navy ROTC scholarships, respectively. Williams, who is among less than 10 percent of eligible candidates receiving the Air Force ROTC scholarship, can use it at any college with an Air Force ROTC program. Conenna will use his Navy ROTC scholarship to attend the Citadel in the fall.

Darius Stodghill has successfully gained admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He as been accepted to attend the preparatory school and will start classes this fall.

Selection for these scholarships is very competitive and requires the student to have a well-rounded background and be strong in academics. All of these students started the scholarship process in the first semester of the 2007-2008 school year. The typical military scholarship application process includes completion of an online application; submission of transcripts, SAT/ACT scores and extracurricular activities; a personal essay on interest in a military career; performing specific exercises in a physical fitness test and a one-on-one interview with a military officer.

Over the six years that the AFJROTC program has been in place at Sandy Creek, students have earned 24 military scholarships valued at almost two million dollars.

“It has been a pleasure working with these students for four years and great to see their hard work pay off. I am proud of each of them and I know the families are also very proud of their accomplishments and excited about their promising future,” says Colonel Doug Pearson, senior aerospace science instructor.

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