Congratulations are in order, as ILTexas Windmill Lakes-Orem High School Senior Jayla Perry has been awarded a four-year Army ROTC Scholarship!
Perry said she had been working on the application for roughly two months, as the process also included perfecting her resume. She was assisting with planning the Senior Banquet when she received the good news via email.
"I ran to my ASP advisor and was like, oh my goodness, we did it! We were working hard on that application. I had to do a resume as well. We made sure the resume was right, we made sure everything was right! We were working hard on everything. And so, to see it actually come true, I was so excited," Perry said.
The scholarship winner's letter was also a monumental surprise for Perry's parents.
"I actually surprised my parents, I didn’t tell them... I surprised them at the banquet... One of my teachers that taught me in 11th grade was like, don’t tell them, we should surprise them! It was a very special moment. I was so happy. I am in the time of my life where I’m excited, nervous, and I am just really grateful and really blessed," Perry said.
Her full tuition four-year scholarship can be applied to either Stephen F. Austin State University, Sam Houston State University or Texas State University- San Marcos.
“I think I’m just going to go to Sam Houston State University. Simply because it’s closer to home, and I think I want to go into Homeland Security and they have a great Homeland Security program," Perry said. “For me, keeping my country safe is my ultimate goal, and I feel like Homeland Security is the closest thing I can do to help out with that. So hopefully, working in the Pentagon or really any form of government; helping the people is really what I want to do.”
Perry described her ILTexas JROTC experience as eye-opening; she explained her involvement helped her learn so much about how to interact with people of different backgrounds and cultures.
"I’m just so happy that I’m a part of ILTexas and I can’t wait for all other children to come to ILTexas and experience what I’ve experienced.”
ILTexas Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremonies begin May 16 and continue through May 23.