By Alex and Belinda Vega
Photos Contributed by Alex and Belinda Vega
Noah Vega, a junior at Central High, received a coveted scholarship to the esteemed AFJROTC Flight Academy. Cadet Noah Vega is the first Central student in the JROTC program to earn this scholarship. Noah will be attending the University of West Florida this summer. This is a highly competitive program that as of 2022 only has 200 spots were selected out of 1,600 applicants to students across the United States. The program totals almost $22,000, including the actual course, transportations, and accommodations, but all of these fees are ultimately paid for by the U.S Military. It is an 8-weeks course held in the summer at various universities around the country. At the end of the course, the cadet will have earned a Private Pilot’s Certification. The Flight Academy is intended to inspire and encourage high school youth toward aviation careers.
Air Force Junior ROTC currently has 125,000 cadets enrolled in high schools across the nation and is the Air Force’s most diverse program. Cadets currently enrolled in Air Force Junior ROTC programs in their high schools, who have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) may apply. Cadets must be in good standing in their unit, take an Air Force aviation aptitude test, provide instructor and school endorsements and must have a strong interest in aviation and a “never-quit” attitude.
AFJROTC cadets have the opportunity to learn from the best flight programs in the country as well as earn college credit. The selection and screening process for students is highly competitive and proved a contributing factor to this year’s success.
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