By: Kathryn Vance

As senior Tabitha Foster received a phone call from Commander Maynard in the minutes leading up to her first period class, the others in the room could only hear her side of the conversation, each short response filled with the utmost respect. She hung up the phone without mention of what had just transpired and quietly sunk back into her seat. However, soon enough, her teacher made it evident that she had just gotten a phone call letting her know that she had been awarded a full-ride scholarship to Auburn University.

Nearly 500 miles and almost eight and a half hours away lies Foster’s future in Auburn, Alabama at the home of the Tigers. Foster explains that she currently has full tuition paid for, and that if she applies for coverage of room and board as well, that should also be covered quite easily. The scholarship was awarded to a student across the country who showed excellence and leadership in their high school ROTC program and who plans to continue with ROTC in college. Foster explains that her reason for doing ROTC here is because she likes the different tasks presented to her.

“I really like to be challenged,” she said. “My favorite part is getting to order people around.”

Foster has gained that ability to “order people around” by her hard work and dedication to detail every single day. She is currently the battalion executive officer, lieutenant commander, and second in command at NAHS.

A major draw to the school was their nursing program, Foster says. While actively participating in ROTC, she will also try to pursue a degree in nursing and then try to get a job in the nursing field.

She says that she has learned a lot from her time in ROTC in the past four years, and plans to continue to learn a lot more as she continues in college.

“It [ROTC] really teaches you respect, discipline, honesty, and integrity,” she said. “Which are all really important qualities to have.”