Oakville Senior Earns Full Scholarship

senior Nick Chinea is one of only 20 students from across the Midwest to receive a four-year scholarship through the Navy Reserve Officers Training Program (ROTC) Marine Corps Option.

The scholarship —worth more than $180,000— will allow Chinea to attend a college of his choice and pay for tuition, fees and textbooks along with a monthly allowance.

“I am very excited about earning the scholarship. The Marines is my first choice over all of the other military branches,” said Chinea in a district release. Chinea also applied to the U.S. Naval Academy. “Even if I don’t get accepted into the Naval Academy, I know I have this scholarship, which is great.”

If he accepts the scholarship, Chinea said he’d major in political science and attend one of his top colleges, including the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Colorado-Boulder.

The ROTC is a reserve program that adds military classes, physical training and leadership principals to a student’s regular academic schedule. Upon graduation, Chinea would earn the rank of second lieutenant in the Marines.

“These scholarships are highly competitive,” said Capt. David KIingensmith, who interviewed Chinea as part of the application process. “Nick is very deserving of this scholarship.”

Chinea wrestles for Oakville High School and is involved in the National Honor Society and Student Council. He also volunteers at Faith Lutheran Church and is an Eagle Scout.