Hello! I am Sheyen La Chat, a 2017 Naples High graduate and a current cadet in the Moccasin Battalion at Florida Southern College in Lakeland Florida. Upon my high school graduation, I received a 3 Year Advanced Designated Scholarship which was then upgraded to a 3.5 year after my first semester in college. Since then, I have been appointed as the Battalion Commander for the 2020-21 academic school year and will be graduating with a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing.
My four years of JROTC gave me the experience and credentials needed to be a solid candidate for an ROTC scholarship. Through my leadership roles such as Company Commander, Drill Commander, and Executive Officer I was able to discover my abilities regarding emotional intelligence, delegation and leading, management, and conflict resolution. JROTC also provided me with an abundant amount of volunteer opportunities in and outside the various clubs, as well as a physical fitness foundation that is important to establish. These are just a few examples of how this program can give you real-life experience in being an active member of your community and to develop the attributes of a good leader.
The AROTC scholarship is rewarded based on three categories; academics, leadership, and athletics. Although JROTC can be an easy way to cover these bases, your work outside of the program is just as important to be more competitive as you prove how diverse and well-rounded you are. Having a job, being on a school or community sports team, and having a leadership role in your own club are good ways to show this! I encourage everyone to apply if at all interested as it may open doors for you never thought possible before. If serving your country as an Officer or having a guaranteed paid college education is what you want then start setting your goals now and work as hard as you can towards them. I urge you all to reach out to mentors, previous recipients, and local recruiters to start setting yourself up for success now!