Fort Belvoir, Va. (May 30, 2014) - The Mount Vernon Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America awarded scholarships to four Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets during a dinner at the Fort Belvoir Officers' Club, May 21.
Army JROTC Cadet Lt. Col. William Woodward, Army JROTC Cadet Maj. Francisco Flores, Marine Corps JROTC Cadet Capt. Alec Furiak, and Marine Corps JROTC Cadet 1st Lt. Ruhal Uppal received scholarships for meeting the Scholarship Selection Committee's standards in academics, physical fitness, community service and their military accomplishments.
"We have 10 schools that we do for the Mount Vernon Chapter, and we ask the senior military instructors to nominate the best cadets from their schools," said retired Lt. Col. Leanna F. Miller. "We interview all of them and these four were very impressive."
Receiving financial help for college is satisfying to all the cadets since they have all put in hard work in their respective programs, Uppal said.
"It's amazing," said Uppal. "It will help me pay for tuition and books and other supplies. Plus, meeting the veterans that are here tonight is always awesome because I have a lot of respect for them."
Uppal is waiting to hear from West Point Prep School about admission. If he does not get into West Point he will attend George Mason University in the fall.
He has been in the Marine Corps JROTC program at Gar-Field Senior High School the last four years, and is the executive officer in the battalion. The responsibility he handled this past year helped improve his leadership skills he said.
"I've learned a lot about taking care of those in your unit as the executive officer," said Uppal. "Simple things like putting the company in the shade when it is hot outside."
Though the JROTC program at Gar-Field is through the Marine Corps, Uppal is leaning towards the Army so he can work as an engineer.
"I'm going to study electrical engineering in college initially," said Uppal. "I know they have electrical engineering in the Army, so that's why I will probably choose them."
Receiving assistance to help progress in his career is why Flores is excited to receive the scholarship. Flores will attend Virginia Commonwealth University and wants to major in business.
"I feel terrific," said Flores of receiving the scholarship. "The fact they are helping me with my career and looking to help cadets who are pursuing a military career after college is awesome."
Flores got involved in the JROTC program his freshman year because his brother was in the program when he was in high school. The leadership responsibility he handled the last few years helped Flores overcome his shy personality, he said.
"I didn't speak well in front of crowds when I first joined JROTC," said Flores. "But, since I've been put in leadership positions, I've been able to speak in front of people. If I'm in a stressful situation, I can step back, look at my options and make a good decision."
He also wants to repay the selection committee for awarding him the scholarship.
"They really want to help me succeed," said Flores. "So, I'm motivated to do well and make them proud of awarding me this scholarship."
Giving back to the community is one reason Miller is so passionate about the scholarship program. She also thinks the four cadets will make great contributions to the military once they are active members.
"I can tell from their professionalism, and they are all well spoken," said Miller. "I think they're all driven to pursue the military as a career and I have high aspirations for them."
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