Capistrano Valley High Senior Awarded Prestigious Marine ROTC Scholarship

Trevor Falconer, a senior at Capistrano Valley High, has been awarded a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship. This scholarship covers significant educational costs in return for military service after college. It includes tuition, fees, room and board, and monthly stipends for books and uniforms. Falconer, motivated by his grandfather's military service in Vietnam, has always aimed to join the military.

Falconer's path to the scholarship began unexpectedly. Despite his strong academic performance, with a 4.18 weighted GPA and involvement in varsity sports, he was exploring less expensive educational options due to concerns about college debt. His outlook changed after he and his father visited the Armed Forces Career Center in Mission Viejo. There, Marine recruiters noticed his potential after reviewing his credentials.

The application process for the NROTC scholarship was challenging, particularly because Falconer started in late December. Despite initial doubts, his hard work paid off. At a school assembly, Marine Capt. Kevin McNeela and Staff Sgt. Lee Maxwell presented him with the scholarship, surprising him in front of his family who knew about the award but had kept it a secret.

The scholarship not only eases financial concerns but also puts Falconer on a path to becoming a Marine officer, fulfilling his desire to follow in his grandfather's and uncle's footsteps. However, the scholarship requires at least five years of active duty service after college. Those entering specialized training programs, like aviation, may have longer commitments.

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