By Melissa Boyd (Whetstone Staff Writer)

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

Sophomore Thomas Jefferson, who plans on joining the Marines after he graduates, was awarded Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation award on Sept. 13.

“My father and I were searching for any help to pay for college and my father found the Marine Corps scholarship online,” he said.

Jefferson, and exercise science major, received the award at the Great Hall of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

“Every year, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation invited me to not only the actual scholarship events, but also to various other events like a tour of the Pentagon and to meet with some of the donors of the foundation,” he said.

Jefferson said he is thankful for any scholarship or help to pay for college.

“I’m especially grateful for those who honor the children of the Marines,” he said. “Marines pay a great debt with their service and it’s nice to see respect shown in knowing their children will be taken care of.”

Twenty students received awards, representing 1,600 students who benefitted from the scholarship foundation. The foundation gave away nearly $5 million for higher education this year.

Reed Findley, a member of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, said the event featured prestigious speakers, including Gen. James F. Amos, Sgt. Dakota Meyer, and Sgt. Major Michael P. Parrett.  Amos serves as the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Meyer as the Medal of Honor nominee, and Barrett the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

“The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is a really awesome foundation,” Jefferson said. “I’ve gotten to know many of the people who work for the foundation and these people really seem to care.”

He said the members of the organization keep in contact with him to let him know about future events, but also to see how he is doing.

This summer, Jefferson has plans to join the platoon leaders course.

“It is a six week course that determines leadership potential,” he said. “According to how I perform in this course, I may be eligible for another six weeks between my junior and senior year. Upon my graduation form Wesley, I will then join the Marine Corps in the Officer’s Candidate School as a second lieutenant.”

Jefferson said he has been honored to meet some of the people at these events, mentioning Commandment Amos and his wife Bonny Amos, Meyer, and Congressman John Carney.

“[Meyer] is a real life superhero,” he said. “Hearing the story of his accomplishments and then to actually meet him was very cool.”

Jefferson said he got a personal tour of the capital building by Carney, which he said was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

He also got to meet Gunnrey Nick Popaditch, who holds the job Jefferson hopes to achieve someday.

“[Popaditch] is a key member of the Wounded Warrior project,” he said. “He was a tank commander.”