For DonorsFor Applicants

Alice and Gary Barthell Scholarship

$1,000
1 winner$1,000
Awarded
Application Deadline
May 30, 2024
Winners Announced
Jun 30, 2024
Education Level
High School
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High School Junior or Senior
Background:
Junior ROTC cadet
Career aspirations:
Serving in U.S. armed services through the collegiate ROTC program

Over 1,700 colleges and universities across the country offer the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) for undergraduate students committed to pursuing the military after graduation. ROTC prepares young adults with the necessary skills to fulfill military service duties in exchange for a full-ride scholarship and verbal commitment to the role. 

Many high school students enrolled in Junior ROTC, a program geared towards educating the youth on citizenship and leadership, continue that interest to the collegiate level. There are currently thousands of cadets among the participating schools who make impactful contributions to their campus community through their professional aspirations.   

Given the interest in serving, ROTC programs can be competitive. The Alice and Gary Barthell Scholarship intends to support High School junior ROTC cadets passionate about receiving an college education while simultaneously training for their future service in the U.S. armed services.

To apply, please tell us why you want to serve the USA. 


Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published December 21, 2023
Essay Topic

Why do you want to serve the USA?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Truett Smith
Coronado High SchoolCoronado, CA
I want to serve the United States because I have served my community as a lifeguard for over two years now at the beach and the pool. I have made sure people are safe in whatever water environment they could be in on Coronado where I live. Joining the service in any way for me is a next step into not only a career but also another opportunity to serve more than just my community and the tourists who visit every summer. My parents have always talked about the military for as long as I can remember but I never took their suggestion seriously until recently. After looking into careers in the service I think that it would give me the best career I could ever want with not only a job I will enjoy but opportunities to travel and enjoy the world while helping people along the way. I think the military. is a great way to directly serve not just one community but to have an impact on the globe and it's an opportunity to expand my own world beyond what I already have. Being a lifeguard I get to be In a unique position. I am responsible for people that I have never met in my life before. It is my job to make sure that people dong get pulled out into a rip current. It's my job to take care of and cure every sting ray patient that comes my way during my shift. This to me resembles being in the service its your job to protect the whole nation. You work for those around you and watch your friends succeed along the way just as well as you do. Being in the service gives me the oppurtunity to serve others as well. I get to serve me fellow sailors too. I can help them achieve their goals. It's like being part of a team. You can't succeed unless those around you succeed. I have always been well in a team environment. For me joining the service seems like the perfect next step for me and my future. It would allow me to build myself into more of a leader, I would be able to be a part of a team like I already am, I would be able to travel, and I would be able to serve more then just one community. That's why I think serving the US is perfect for me.
Kolemyn Poole-Wyman
Christopher Newport UniversityWinston-Salem, NC
The United States of America is one of the most prosperous nations in the world. The country offers an environment of equality, freedom, and endless opportunities for all its citizens. It is a land that boasts of innovation, democracy, and a rich cultural heritage. It is much easier in the USA to move from one social class to another than it is in most of the rest of the world. These reasons are, I want to serve the United States of America. The best way for me to do this is in the military. Firstly, serving the USA is a means of giving back to the country that has been a beacon of hope, prosperity, and democracy. The United States has been instrumental in shaping the world order and advancing human rights and dignity globally. Serving the United States, in the military, is an honor and a privilege to be able to contribute to maintaining the values and ideals of the country. Secondly, serving the United States is an opportunity to safeguard and protect the country's sovereignty and security. As a citizen, it is my duty to protect the nation against any potential internal and external threats to its security. The military is an opportunity to defend my country and protect the freedoms and rights that all Americans enjoy. The United States Military works hard to maintain peace and stability in the world by fighting against terrorists and other threats to national security. I want to serve the United States of America by serving in the military because of the defense it provides for my country (USA), and many other reasons. Serving in the military is an opportunity to be part of something bigger than oneself. It is an opportunity to serve one's country and make a difference in people's lives. The military not only provides a sense of purpose but also a sense of belonging to a community that shares common goals and values. Serving in the military has the honor and respect that comes with it. Members of the military are admired and highly respected in society. Serving in the military demonstrates a commitment to the country and a willingness to make personal sacrifices for the greater good. It also upholds the legacy of those who have served before, who have fought and died to protect and defend the United States of America. I want to be a part of that honorable legacy. When I die I want to die knowing my service to the USA was meaningful the best way I see that that can be done is through the US Military. In conclusion, serving the United States of America is an honor, duty, and privilege. The country has provided me with an environment of prosperity, equality, and freedom, and the least I could do is give back by serving her.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is May 30, 2024. Winners will be announced on Jun 30, 2024.