Abigail Cramer, a senior at Higley High School and member of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC), was one of 100 cadets nationwide to receive the J-100 scholarship, which will help towards her career goal of becoming a flight nurse.

This highly competitive scholarship is valued at approximately $260,000. It will provide Abigail with a full-ride scholarship to Texas A&M.

The J-100 scholarship is for graduating high school seniors with a minimum of two or more years of JROTC experience. Accepting the scholarship provides four years of 100 percent paid tuition at any university, or crosstown partner, with an AFROTC detachment. Accepting the scholarship requires cadets to pursue an officer commission.

Abigail answered a few questions about this achievement:

What was your reaction to receiving this scholarship?

I found out that I received the J-100 scholarship during our tri-annual inspection for our AFJROTC unit. It was announced right after the uniform inspection, and the entire Cadet Corps was there to hear it. I was shocked because I hadn't been expecting the news that day, but it was just an amazing feeling knowing that I could go to my dream school and eventually commission into the Air Force. I also loved that I was able to share that with everyone in the Corps because they are like a second family to me, and it's only fitting that they share that amazing moment with me.

How will this scholarship help you in your education & career? 

This scholarship will help me get my Bachelor's in the Science of Nursing without having to pay for any of it. I get to focus on my studies and put my full effort in without the stress of student debt. It also puts me ahead for my career because this scholarship set me on the path to commission into the Air Force. Additionally, it provided me a chance to be a part of Texas A&M’s Air Force ROTC to meet the requirements to commission as an officer.

Why do you want to become a flight nurse? 

It has been my dream since the fourth grade to become a flight nurse. Growing up, I looked up to my stepdad, who is a first responder, and I knew that I wanted to incorporate that work environment into my passion for caring for somebody like a nurse does. I believe nurses get more of a chance to connect with their patients, and my love for anatomy came in future years as I started taking more classes.

What has been your favorite part of the AFJROTC? 

There are so many amazing things about AFJROTC, but I think the best thing about it is that you have such a great community of support. Being Corps Commander, I get to meet all sorts of cadets from all walks of life. They became like a second family to me, and I really do see them like my brothers and sisters. Everyone pushes each other to do their best, but at the end of the day, we are there for each other. Some of my greatest memories are at our annual Air Force Balls, Bataan Memorial Hikes, or sports days. We all come together to accomplish one goal and these past four years have been a blessing because of this program.

Why join AFJROTC?

When you join AFJROTC, you leave behind legacies and an impact on your community and school. If you want to be a part of something bigger than yourself and learn valuable life and leadership lessons that apply to the real world, AFJROTC is the class to take. This program provides a supportive environment where you can see yourself grow into a leader. I went into this program really timid and shy, and now I am confident and a leader. This program pushes people further than they will ever push themselves, and that is what is so amazing about it.

Why would you recommend it to incoming students? 

It doesn't matter where you come from or who you are; this program will make you a better leader and person. Things like schoolwork become much easier because of the many resources that we provide to help students. I have never had a lonely day in high school because there always has been someone from the Corps to be there when I needed them. Any path you want to choose in life, whether that be college, the military, or the workforce, AFJROTC will help you get there and will help you gain the right mindset and motivation to be successful.

On a more personal note however, AFJROTC was the best part of my high school experience, and I wouldn't trade these four years for anything. Joining this program will be the best thing you can do if you want to see yourself change into the best version of yourself.