Colonel JC Broome Memorial Scholarship

Yes, I am in JROTC. Being part of JROTC has been a valuable experience for me. It has taught me important skills like leadership, discipline, and teamwork. Through the program, I have learned how to stay organized, follow through on my responsibilities, and work effectively with others. These skills are not only helpful in school but also in everyday life. JROTC has helped me build confidence and a sense of responsibility, which I believe will be important for my future career and personal growth. One thing I’d like you to know about my background is that I come from a multicultural family. My parents come from different cultural backgrounds, and growing up in that environment has given me a broader perspective on life. I’ve been exposed to different traditions, beliefs, and ways of thinking, which has made me more open-minded and respectful of others. My family is big on the importance of education, hard work, and caring for others. These values have shaped me into someone who wants to make a positive difference in people’s lives and who appreciates diversity and learning from different experiences. In terms of activities and volunteer work, I stay involved in a variety of ways. I volunteer at clean up events at brother's school. I also volunteer at the community center, helping organize events, tutoring younger children in math and science, as well as being a part of feeding the homeless events. Outside of school, I play on my school’s varsity flag team. Being captain of the team and receiving leadership awards has taught me about teamwork, perseverance, and staying committed to my goals. These activities have taught me the importance of giving back and working hard to help others. My biggest accomplishments include earning good grades while balancing multiple activities and volunteer work, as well as earning the Student Leadership Award last year. Being recognized as a leader in my school was a proud moment because it showed that my efforts to help others and stay dedicated do make a difference. Leading group projects and volunteering at community events have helped me develop confidence and leadership skills that I know will be useful in my future career. A mistake I’ve made in the past was underestimating how much time I needed to prepare for a big exam. I thought I could study last minute, but I ended up feeling stressed and didn’t do as well as I wanted. From that experience, I learned the importance of planning ahead and managing my time better. Since then, I’ve become more organized and started preparing early for tests and projects. This lesson has helped me become more disciplined and ready to face challenges with better preparation. My dream job is to become a nurse specializing in obstetrics/gynecology. I’ve always been interested in women’s health and the special care that ob/gyn nurses provide to mothers and babies. I want to be part of a team that supports women through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. I’m passionate about helping others and making a difference during some of the most important moments in their lives. Becoming an ob/gyn nurse would allow me to combine my caring nature with my interest in healthcare and make a positive impact on women and families.

Being part of JROTC has been one of the most defining experiences of my high school career. I have been involved in the program since my freshman year, and it has shaped my discipline, leadership style, and commitment to service. Over the years, I have taken on multiple leadership roles, including serving as the S1 Personnel Officer, leading the Sabre Team as its commander, and now completing my senior year as the Battalion Commander. These roles taught me how to lead with integrity, communicate clearly, and stay focused on long‑term goals. Something important to know about my background is that I come from a strong military family. Many of my relatives have served in the Air Force, Navy, and Army, and growing up around that level of discipline and sacrifice deeply influenced me. I am also the oldest of four siblings, which has shaped me into someone who leads naturally, sets an example, and carries myself with maturity. Whether I am in uniform representing my battalion or at home guiding my younger siblings, I hold myself to a high standard. Throughout high school, I have been involved in several community‑focused organizations. As a member of the National Beta Club, I participated in service projects that supported both my school and local community. Through Empowering Doves, I volunteered in outreach programs that assisted families and strengthened community connections. Serving as a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador for the City of Hazlehurst allowed me to represent my city at public events and work closely with community leaders. I also completed numerous service hours through JROTC, helping at school functions, ceremonies, parades, and community events. These experiences taught me that leadership is rooted in service, compassion, and showing up for others. Some of my biggest accomplishments reflect that dedication. One of the achievements I am most proud of is serving as the Battalion Commander and successfully bringing back our Military Ball after the school had gone three years without one. Planning and executing such an important event required coordination, communication, and responsibility. Another major accomplishment was receiving the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Award during my junior year, which recognized both my academic excellence and my leadership as a Cadet Captain and S1 Personnel Officer. Additionally, I helped conduct our Triennial Accreditation Inspection, where our battalion earned an overall rating of 95.8%, achieving the distinguished title of Army JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction. One of the most meaningful lessons I learned came from a mistake I made while planning the Military Ball. At first, I believed I didn’t need help and tried to handle everything on my own. When unexpected challenges came up, I fell behind schedule and realized I couldn’t complete such a large event alone. I had to learn to lean on my staff and even reach out to previous cadets who had graduated. Their connections helped us secure our caterer and photographer, and together we brought the event to life. That experience taught me that leadership is not about doing everything yourself—it’s about trusting your team and knowing when to ask for support. Looking ahead, my dream job is to become a labor and delivery nurse. I am passionate about maternal health, especially improving outcomes for African American women. My experiences in JROTC, my academic achievements, and my commitment to service have prepared me to pursue this path with purpose and confidence.

I am Cadet Captain A'Shyia Coffee in my fourth year of JROTC at Northwest Rankin High School as a current senior, serving as a LET 4. My journey has been defined by a rapid ascent in leadership and an unwavering commitment to the mission of "Motivating young people to be better citizens." From the moment I earned the rank of Sergeant within my first semester as a freshman, I knew my high school career would be dedicated to the discipline of the corps. By my sophomore year, I was promoted to First Sergeant, and by my junior year, I achieved the rank of Captain. Today, I serve as a Company Commander, Drill Commander, Drone Commander, and Color Guard Commander. In every formation and every competition, I go by our motto: "Loud as thunder, cold as rain, Cougar Battalion wins the game." Something important to know about my background is my drive to excel in high-pressure, technical environments. I am a core member of the Drill Team, Raider Team, Drone Team, PT Team, Color Guard, Push-up Squad, and the Exhibition Team. My biggest accomplishment is not just participating in these groups, but leading them to excellence; I have earned first-place awards in every single one of these categories. Furthermore, I am in charge of the Northwest Rankin JROTC website. Managing this digital platform requires the same precision as a drill sequence, ensuring that our battalion’s information is professional and accessible. This technical role, combined with my involvement in DECA, Business Academy, and NWR Show Choir Stage Crew, has taught me how to merge tactical leadership with modern strategic communication. My commitment to service extends into the heart of Mississippi. I have dedicated my time to volunteering for the Mayor’s Banquet and the Flowood Family Festival, ensuring our community events run with military precision. Additionally, my work with TOPSoccer allowed me to use my leadership skills to mentor athletes with disabilities, reminding me that the true goal of a leader is to uplift those around them. These experiences have instilled in me a deep sense of pride in my home state, which is why I am committed to attending Mississippi State University. However, leadership is a journey of constant refinement. A mistake I made in the past occurred during my first year as a Commander. I initially struggled with taking criticism, viewing feedback as a sign of failure rather than a tool for growth. During an intense drill practice, I pushed my team too hard without listening to their physical concerns, which led to a drop in morale. This experience taught me the "Leadership Way" of using feedback. I learned that a Commander must be as good a listener as they are a speaker. Now, I actively solicit input from my cadets, using their perspectives to build a more cohesive and resilient unit that truly lives up to our "Loud as Thunder" reputation. My dream job is to serve as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. I want to lead teams that operate at the cutting edge of technology, whether in unmanned aerial systems or aerospace engineering. By attending Mississippi State and joining the ROTC program, I will bridge the gap between my Business Academy roots and my military ambitions. JROTC gave me the discipline to lead; the Air Force will give me the platform to protect. I am ready to honor the memory of Colonel JC Broome by proving that a student from Mississippi can lead with bravery and impact the world through a career of service.