By Megan T., student at Cardinal
Emma S. is a tenth grader participating in the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC). She has been partaking in the leadership portion for only three days (as of when this interview was conducted), but the whole training for three years. She has been to Great Lakes, Illinois; Centerville Mills, Ohio; and Cleveland, Ohio for her training. Emma went to boot camp at RTC Great Lakes, which is the hardest obstacle she has had to overcome. Emma chuckled when looking back on boot camp, because she said that she was one of the very few girls who didn’t cry.
There are nine other high school students who are learning along with Emma, and one other student who lives right here in Geauga County. The requirements to participate in the USNSCC are that you have to be at least thirteen years old, yet haven’t completed your senior year in high school. To participate in the Navy League, you have to be ten years of age. Also, you have to be unmarried, enrolled in school, a citizen, an excellent example of a student with moral character (which consists of maintaining a clean criminal record, ready to attend drills regularly), interested in the program, pass a medical exam, which is very similar to a physical for sports, and you must have parental consent.
Even through all the involvement with the program, she has maintained outstanding grades because she said that it does not interfere with school. Emma saves one weekend out of each month for the training.
After attending high school, she would either like to use her training to be three pay grades higher than anybody who didn’t join in on the program, or use it for a scholarship for nursing.
Pictured: Emma S. in her BDU’s (center). Student reporters Megan T. (left) and Kenny P. (right).
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