Schools

OEHS Senior Receives Scholarship with Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps

"I felt overwhelmed. It was incredible, knowing that I've got this blessing," said senior Bryan Troup. "I'm going to have my college paid for and I'm going to be able to give back to this country."

The following was provided by Will Dwyer, OEHS Assistant Principal:

Each spring, high school graduates will walk across the graduation stage with anticipation of where their selected life path will lead them.

Some will walk into college or university classrooms next fall. Some will walk directly into the workplace.

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But it would appear that senior Bryan Troup intends to walk on water, having recently received a scholarship from the Navy Recruiting District Chicago Scholarship Program at the May 13th Senior Awards Night held in the Performing Arts Center.

The impressive scholarship with the NROTC (Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps) includes a full ride—both academic and residential—at a university of Troup’s choice, a monthly allowance for the duration of Troup’s four years of school, and a guarantee of employment after graduation.

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When Troup graduates from Marquette University, where he will study computer engineering, he will graduate as a commissioned officer of the U.S. Navy.

In the meantime, Troup admitted that receiving the honor was an eye-opening experience, at first.

“I felt overwhelmed. It was incredible, knowing that I’ve got this blessing,” Troup said. “I’m going to have my college paid for and I’m going to be able to give back to this country.”

Troup’s decision to pursue a future in the Navy was guided by a number of factors, including the role that Naval life has played for his own family.

Troup’s father is a captain in the Navy and Bryan said that the proximity of the Troup family and the Navy played a pivotal role in leading him to this decision.

“I considered [a future in the Navy] more and more, having grown up with my father [in the Navy]. We would spend vacations where Dad would be stationed, and for a week in Norfolk, VA, I really began to see the Navy as another family for my dad, and hearing him tell me about all the benefits of being in the Navy … I would recommend [my decision] to anybody.”

After earning a degree in computer engineering, Bryan hopes to bridge the gap between the Navy and technology by going into submarine warfare.

“My dad was a nuclear engineer on a sub, and I want to do something similar, but with a focus on computer hardware and that aspect of it.”

According to father Tony Troup, he and his wife have done their best to raise Bryan with the strong, integrity-based values and education he would need to be a successful leader in life.

Bryan’s father added that Bryan is entirely up to the task of enlisting and serving with the U.S. Navy.

“I would not have counseled him to consider military service if I did not think he would be a successful officer,” Tony Troup said. “He truly embodies the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment, and I know his future shipmates will be grateful to have him as a colleague, mentor, and leader.”

So when Bryan walks across the graduation stage this spring, he will not only be following in the footsteps of his father but also the footsteps of many people who have provided service to the United States of America. Both Bryan and Tony understand now that they’re bonded not only by their own sense of family but by their devotion to working within the Navy together.

“I’ll continue to mentor Bryan and relay my experiences to him, as I’ve done in the past, as he grows into a Naval Officer, and I am truly honored to serve with such a fine individual as him, [and] proud to call him my son,” Tony said.

Despite the fact that Bryan’s receipt of the award and the potential impact that serving in the Navy will have on Bryan’s life is still rather fresh, Bryan said that he understands what it ultimately means to make a life decision such as this one.

“Patriotism is a big part of [my decision to go into the navy],” Bryan said. “Seeing my dad enjoy [his own service] made me want to do it. I’m thankful for where I live and how I’m able to live, and I want to give something back to the country.”

In addition to the NROTC scholarship awarded to Bryan Troup, more than $3 million in tuition and scholarships have been awarded to the graduating class of 2013.

Release written by: Justin Howard Query


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