Henry Johnson (12) has been selected to receive a $180,000 four-year National NROTC scholarship. Johnson is one of approximately 300 recipients of the scholarship, and the only recipient in Hillsborough County and Central Florida.
From the Naval Education and Training Education Website, “The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Program educates and trains qualified young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the Navy’s unrestricted line communities, the Navy Nurse Corps and the Marine Corps.” Those selected for the scholarship receive full tuition and a stipend, among other benefits.
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Johnson will be attending The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina in the fall, where he will major in biology and minor in aerospace engineering. His scholarship falls under the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Marine Option, where he will attend a full-time university while earning a commission in the United States Marine Corps. This option allows Johnson to develop his academic goals while achieving his dream of becoming a pilot.
“I want to be a pilot, and the marines have a really good opportunity where they will guarantee a flight slot your freshman year in college,” said Johnson. “So, if I’m smart enough, pass the right test, [I will have a flight slot.]”
Through this scholarship, Johnson will be able to become a pilot at no cost to him, allowing him to truly focus on his personal development as a student and pilot. Johnson received the call that he got the scholarship one evening, not expecting to be selected.
“The man called me at 7 o’ clock at night, and I was like, ‘uh-oh, I didn’t get it, I’m his fifth round of ‘sorry kid, you didn’t get it’ calls,’ so I went outside and I’m like ‘hey sir, what’s up,’ I’m very monotone, he’s very monotone, so I’m like ‘cool, I didn’t get it, I’ll move on,’ and he’s like ‘yeah, sorry to let you know, but you got it!’ and I’m like ‘what?’ and [he’s] like ‘yeah!’ and I’m like, ‘holy s***, really?’ [and he says] ‘yeah, congratulations, you’re a united states marine officer now!’” said Johnson.
Johnson commented on the impact that the scholarship will have on his life.
“It makes my early twenties easy. It pays for all of my school, I get a stipend, it totally makes my life easier.”
Johnson’s brother, Robert Johnson (11), shared how proud he was of his brother’s achievements.
“I’m proud of him. I’m proud to say that he did that…If I get the same scholarship, I’ll probably join him, but right now I’m hoping maybe for the army one,” said Johnson.
Johnson receiving the scholarship represents a culmination of his academic and personal achievements. As he moves on to the next stage of his life and pursues his dream of becoming a pilot, he plans to continue with the same passion and commitment to his goals that led him to the scholarship.
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