U-Hi’s Tawney Nakamura receives ROTC scholarship

Tawney Nakamura is proof that hard work pays off.

Nakamura, a senior at University High School, was awarded a Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps college scholarship worth $150,000 Thursday.

U.S. Navy officials made a surprise visit to her school to announce the award, one of 10 of its kind given to students throughout the country.

“I was expecting to do another interview,” Nakamura said. “I was prepared to answer more questions.”

But after interviewing the honor student once, the Navy didn’t need any more proof she was worthy of what the Navy has to offer. They wanted her.

“It’s a bit unusual,” said Paul Marshall, a U-Hi counselor. “Usually they have to go through a lengthy interview process, but they didn’t do that with Tawney. They offered it to her on the spot.”

Nakamura, 17, can attend any university that offers a ROTC program, and the scholarship will pay Nakamura’s tuition, books and fees, and a monthly living stipend.

She has yet to decide where she will go, but she has narrowed it down to Stanford, the University of California, University of Washington, University of Florida or Cornell.

ROTC programs are offered by the Navy, as well as the Army, Marine Corps, and the Air Force. The program trains qualified students to become officers in those services upon graduation from college.

Upon graduation, students are required to serve eight years in the military service, four of those in active duty.

During college, students take a full-course load in their area of interest, in addition to military science and leadership courses to prepare them for military life.

Nakamura is no stranger to that life. Her father is a retired Navy chief, her mother is a submarine hull technician now serving in the reserves, and her brother recently enlisted.

“My mother is really excited,” Nakamura said.

Nakamura said she hadn’t yet applied for any other scholarships, because she knew this was what she wanted to do.

“I like the feeling that I will be doing something to serve my country,” Nakamura said. “I feel like I have a purpose, and that I am doing something productive.”

Currently, Nakamura is the first in her class with a 4.0 grade-point average, is a member of the math team, the French club, the honor society, and plays golf and softball. She is also a member of the Japanese American Citizens League, and takes hula classes in her free time.

She hopes to study science in college, and after graduation she will report to active duty as an ensign. She wants to possibly research biological or chemical warfare.