Chapter Awards $33,000 in ROTC Scholarships

The chapter recognized 21 of the most outstanding ROTC cadets and midshipmen from across the Northeast with $1,500 scholarships at its annual ROTC scholarship ceremony held virtually in April. First Lieutenant Pat Backus, USAF, master of ceremonies, welcomed all and introduced Rear Adm. Brian Corey, USN, program executive officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, U.S. Navy. The admiral delivered a motivational keynote address on his career experiences and the challenges of military service, urging cadets/midshipman to set high standards of excellence; be rigorous in their mission planning; prepare their minds by "getting in the zone" to execute; and commit to life-long learning, noting that in today's world, they will experience rapid changes and must be prepared to adapt. Backus then recognized each scholarship winner. They included: Cadet Max Ellsworth, USAF, Boston University (BU); Cadet Alexandar Rosenthal, USA, BU; Midshipman Jonas Escobar, USN, BU; Midshipman Leo Kahan, USN, College of the Holy Cross; Midshipman Tristan Walker, USN, Maine Maritime Academy; Cadet Noah Jones, USAF, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cadet Erik Thompson, USA, MIT; Midshipman Juliana Silldorff, USN, MIT; Cadet Elizabeth Ergill, USA, Northeastern University; Cadet Nathan Callahan, USAF, Norwich University; Cadet Brenden Apolinario, USA, Norwich University; Midshipman Catherine Rasmussen, USN, Norwich University; Cadet Eric Shields, USA, University of Massachusetts (UMASS)-Amherst; Cadet Adam Hoolahan, USAF, UMASS-Amherst; Cadet Ryan Kless, USAF, UMASS-Lowell; Cadet Ty Schneider, USA, University of Maine; Cadet Isaac Abitabilo, USAF, University of New Hampshire (UNH); Cadet Nicholas Vincent, USA, UNH; Cadet Taylor Catlin, USA, University of Vermont; Cadet Trevor Shrady; USAF, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI); and Cadet Ian Weston, USA, WPI. Backus then announced the winner of this year's General Bernard Schriever Award, which carries an additional $1,500 scholarship to the most outstanding cadet or midshipman among all awardees. This year's recipient was Cadet Jones.

Following the presentations, Col. Jason Avram, USAF, chapter vice president, ROTC Affairs, offered congratulations to all and thanked Admiral Corey for his inspiring remarks as well as the planning committee for all their hard work in arranging and executing the ceremony. Backus concluded by congratulating the recipients and thanking attendees.

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