NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. by: Cecelia Harmon (RVO) – Redbank Valley High School senior, Kasey Watkins, was recently awarded a Type 7 Air Force ROTC Scholarship. This scholarship is considered ‘very’ competitive and will cover full college tuition plus fees. It also allows for a yearly book stipend, travel coverage, and a monthly housing stipend. Scholarship applicants must have at least 1240 on the SAT, 3.0 GPA, and pass a physical fitness test. While in college, scholarship recipients will be required to take summer field training courses as well as several military courses. After graduating college, recipients are required to serve as an Air Force officer for four years.  

Mr. Watkins will attend the University of Pittsburgh in the fall, seeking a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry, with a possible minor in Environmental Engineering. After graduating college, he plans on pursuing a career as an Air Force chemist. His vocational choice was inspired by his grandfather, Bernie Cornali, who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

While in high school, Mr. Watkins was involved in the gifted program, robotics, basketball, varsity track and field, varsity soccer, and the National Honor Society, where he acted as treasurer. Outside of school, Watkins has participated in Civil Air Patrol (where he earned the grade of Cadet Second Lieutenant) and the Oakland Church of God youth group. He has served as a volunteer by tutoring at the Redbank Valley Community Center and helped with the school beautification project among other things. Watkins has also received the Clarion Federal Credit Union Scholarship and the Red Cross Scholarship. 

Kasey Watkins – New Bethlehem PA *Photo courtesy of Cecelia Harmon of TechReady Professionals and RedbankValley.Org

Kasey Watkins humbly expresses his gratitude on receiving this award:

“I have to thank the entirety of my family because they have been my biggest support since day one. I want to thank my friends and teachers for believing in me through the process. And I would like to thank the Air Force for choosing me to have this scholarship, I know it’s never an easy decision and I’m honored to be a recipient of it.”

For more information about this scholarship and other Air Force ROTC scholarships, please visit: https://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/high-school/types/

Congratulations to Kasey Watkins and the rest of the RVHS Class of 2019!

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ABOUT:
Redbank Valley School District provides education services for the 165 square mile area of New Bethlehem and Hawthorn boroughs, and the townships of Mahoning, Madison, Porter, and Redbank of both Clarion and Armstrong counties.

MEETINGS:
The Redbank Valley School Board meetings the first Monday of every month at 7pm at the High School Library.

CONTACT:
For more information about the Redbank Valley School District, please call 814.275.2426 or visit RedbankValley.org/pg/biz/redbank-valley-school-district