Winston-Salem, North Carolina -- Across the country, many high school seniors are working hard on figuring out how they’re going to pay for one of the largest investments they will make: college. But one Early College of North Forsyth senior has found her solution, and she’s going to do it with the help of the United States Marine Corps.
Veronica Andrea Romero-Dugarte was awarded the U.S. Marine Corps Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship valued at $180,000 at Forsyth Tech Community College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, May 8, 2017. She has elected to attend North Carolina State University as a Marine-option midshipman.
“I first found out about the scholarship when it was mentioned to me while I was considering enlisting,” said Romero-Dugarte5012. “I wasn’t planning on doing it at first, but it was a really unique opportunity, so I decided to try for it… I never thought I was going to get it.”
Romero-Dugarte says that she was contacted by Captain Brett Warming, the executive officer for Marine Recruiting Station Raleigh. He suggested that she apply for the scholarship because she had done well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
The NROTC scholarship is a program to educate and train qualified young men and women as commissioned officers in the Navy or the Marine Corps. The scholarship covers 100 percent of a student’s tuition costs and also includes a stipend to cover textbooks each year.
When applying for the NROTC scholarship, there are multiple factors taken into consideration to be competitive for the award. NROTC scholarships are awarded after they are presented to a Selection Board, which is a diverse panel of senior officers, who make the selection decision.
“When I got the call that I was receiving the scholarship, I was super excited,” said Romero-Dugarte. “I was in shock. I had a whole plan for my life and everything changed in the best way possible. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve my country as a future Marine Corps officer.”
Romero-Dugarte’s father, Andrew Romero-Dugarte, wept as his daughter stepped on stage to receive her scholarship.
“I am super proud of my daughter,” said Andrew. “She is very dedicated in what she does, and I know she will do amazing things in the Marine Corps.”
Anyone interested in applying can visit http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/apply.html to apply for the scholarship and to see the requirements.