Photo Information

Meghan Fox, a Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy (SLCDA) selectee, poses on a beam in her gymnastics gym, in Hagerstown, Maryland. Meghan is one out of 196 students chosen to attend SLCDA.

Photo by Sgt. Kimberlyn Adams

SLCDA: Meghan Fox takes over MCB Quantico

29 May 2018 | Sgt. Kimberlyn Adams 4th Marine Corps District

Every year the Marine Corps accepts applications from students across the country, hoping to be selected to attend the Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy (SLCDA).

The six-day program is held at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and is designed to start preparing rising high school juniors and seniors for college through Marine Corps leadership skills, ethics, character development and teamwork.

More than 800 applications were submitted, only 196 students were selected. One of those selectees is Meghan Fox from Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, who found out about the Academy after her mom attended a Marine Corps Educator’s Workshop in Parris Island, South Carolina.

“My mom’s experience at the workshop made me want to explore doing something with the military after high school,” said Meghan. “I’m hoping this program will give me a feel for the Marine Corps as well as help my leadership skills and self-confidence.”

Meghan is a rising junior at Berkeley Springs High School and enrolled in multiple honors and advanced placement classes. This school year, Meghan was accepted into her school’s National Honor Society and participates in after school activity such as chess club and cheerleading. Outside of school, Meghan has been a gymnast for 10 years.

“My mom put me in gymnastics at six years old,” explained Meghan. “Gymnastics has become such a big part of my life, I can’t really see myself without it.”

Meghan has competed in multiple competitions and currently coaches younger kids with the same aspirations as herself. 

All Meghan’s hard work and dedication to her education contributes to her big dreams for her future.

“I want to be a neurosurgeon,” said Meghan. “I really want to apply to Harvard. I don’t know if I will get in but I still want to apply. My main goal is just to have a stable happy life and help people.”

Meghan is slated to attend SLCDA this summer, where she will participate in an intensive Marine Corps Ethics training, leadership and character development. Along with the other selectees, she will visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 and the Holocaust Museum. During the week, the academy will test the participants through Marine Corps physical fitness and field exercises. They will meet Marine Corps and Navy combat veterans, and attend a Tuesday evening Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial featuring the Commandant's Own Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Silent Drill Platoon.


4th Marine Corps District