MCHS MCJROTC Cadets Earn Scholarships Worth $360,000

Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) cadets Captain Paul Tobalt and Staff Sergeant Kayla Orzech have been awarded Navy/Marine ROTC scholarships.

The combined value of the scholarships is $360,000 over four years in college. This is the first time since 2005 that a MCHS student has been awarded an ROTC scholarship from any service. Both cadets plan on attending the main campus of Purdue University. Tobalt will major in criminal justice, Orzech will study pre-law. Upon graduation from Purdue, both will be commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps, and will lead platoons of approximately 40 Marines following their 6 month officer training at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Quantico, VA.

“It is very gratifying for me for these cadets to have earned this lucrative scholarship,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath. “I came here four years ago, when these cadets were freshmen, so we have grown-up together here at Michigan City. Captain Tobalt and Staff Sergeant Orzech have both made the most of their time at MCHS, building their case to be competitive for the scholarship."

Students who compete for the scholarship are judged in numerous areas. Academics is the primary criteria, with a student needing at least a 3.3 (middle level B) grade point average on a 4.0 scale of all college preparatory courses. Additionally, applicants take a physical fitness test, provide evidence of community service, show participation in extra-curricular activities, and undergo a rigorous interview process by the U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Service.

Captain Tobalt is the cadet commanding officer. He has been one of the commanders on the JROTC military drill team for four years, participating in almost every event at every drill competition. "The Drill Team has been a lot of work, since we practice before school every day," said Tobalt. "It has given me the confidence to command, something that I did not have before I came to the JROTC. I would recommend this program to any student, because you don't have to be a great athlete or student to do well in it. You just need a good attitude. Obviously, with this scholarship, I'm glad I did it."

Staff Sergeant Orzech was not able to participate in the JROTC as much as she would have liked due to her part-time job, but is grateful for the exposure to the military that the program provided. "If it wasn't for the JROTC, I would not have known about or considered applying for this scholarship. With this scholarship, I will not have to worry about paying for my education, so I plan on being a lot more involved at Purdue," she said.

McGrath stated that he expects more cadets to earn scholarships in the future. "I think that we are being successful in communicating to our student body about the potential benefits our program provides. With the high cost of college, the ROTC scholarship is probably the best financial deal a student can obtain. We also are attracting the kind of student who wants the challenge and satisfaction of serving their country," he said.

One of the cadets who will apply for the ROTC scholarship next year is Cadet 1st Lieutenant Alex Wyman. He has a 3.8 grade point average, is one of the commanders on the drill team, and has done close to 100 hours of community service. He will be Michigan City’s nominee for the JROTC Legion of Valor Medal, awarded to the top junior cadet in each region. Michigan City’s region, MCJROTC Region 3, stretches from South Bend to Washington state, encompassing 38 schools. Michigan City has never had an LOV recipient. Master Sergeant Jeff Benak, the Marine Instructor, was optimistic on Wyman’s chances to be selected. “If there is a more dedicated cadet, I would like to meet him. Lieutenant Wyman is involved with just about everything we do.” The Legion of Valor awardee will be announced this summer.