Navy Federal Credit Union Honors ‘Students of the Year’ With ROTC All-American Program Scholarships

Navy Federal Credit Union announced today that it selected the top Air Force, Army and Navy/Marine students as the three ROTC All-American Scholarship Program Students of the Year. Launched six years ago, the program honors the nation’s best and brightest ROTC seniors in all branches of military service.

A panel of judges chooses the recipients based on the pillars of the ROTC program: Leadership, Military Excellence, Scholarship and Service. Navy Federal has received nearly 1,000 ROTC student nominations through its scholarship program since 2018. The credit union received 293 nominations from ROTC units at 216 schools across the nation in 2023—up from 200 nominations and 159 schools in 2022.

“We’re honored to recognize the exemplary leadership skills, community service and academic achievements of these cadets and midshipman,” said Jamey Shuls, Air Force Veteran and a judge for the credit union’s ROTC All-American Scholarship Program. “In and out of the classroom, it’s remarkable to see the hard work and dedication they’ve put into reaching their goals.”

The Students of the Year each receive a $6,500 scholarship, and their booster club or student fund receives a $5,000 donation.

Representing Stanford University’s Air Force ROTC unit, Athena Chang is studying mechanical engineering and computer science. Among many esteemed positions, she’s senior vice president of Stanford Women in Business and a research assistant at Stanford’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation.

“I really think that a core part of leadership is being exposed to a lot of different experiences,” said Cadet Chang. “Being able to understand people’s differences will create a more empathetic environment. It shapes people’s perspectives and challenges new ideas.”

She also held the highest position in the cadet wing as the Wing Commander during the Fall 2022 semester—leading the Wing with inspirational and thoughtful precision. She hopes to get a Euro NATO Jet Propulsion Training slot to begin her career as a fighter pilot.

Next, Paul Kealy of the University of Oklahoma’s Army ROTC unit is studying French and serves as a Cadet Platoon Leader. Before joining the University of Oklahoma’s Army ROTC program, he was a non-commissioned officer in the 75th Ranger Regiment and led a five-man infantry fire team of Rangers in combat.

“Deploying for me has had an impact because being over there, seeing what being in the Army is about and what we have to do, has stayed with me and helped me keep motivation,” said Cadet Kealy.

Additionally, Cadet Kealy carried a 45-pound pack through the Bataan Memorial Death March, a 26.2 mile hike through New Mexico to honor American and Filipino prisoners of war in the Pacific theater of WWII—an incredible challenge he plans to complete again. He’s also very involved in his community and cares deeply about supporting military families.

Finally, Sirius James of the University of Washington’s Navy/Marines ROTC unit is studying political science and naval science. He’s held several leadership roles within his unit, including Battalion Physical Training Instructor, Regulation Drill, Platoon Commander, Company Commander and Squad Leader.

MIDN James also developed a six-month training plan for Marine Option midshipmen at the University of Washington—helping to address and overcome gaps in the current training curriculum. He’s worked with Treehouse for Kids, a program fighting child hunger in the greater Seattle area, as well as Green Seattle, a forest restoration program.

“What motivates me to pursue the military career isn’t necessarily for myself and what it can provide me, but more what I can provide for our battalion,” said MIDN James. “Being able to go and essentially care and lead them is what motivates me every day. There’s no greater honor.”

The Students of the Year will be honored guests of the Military Bowl on December 27 at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. and be featured on ESPN’s broadcast of the game.