<p>Ok so get this - I am proudly sitting in the audience, along with several of my equally proud family members, at my Ss high school scholarship assembly this morning. There are around 80 or so bright and gifted young people sitting up on the stage and an auditorium full of teachers, parents, fellow students, etc.. I see the very distinguished Air Force folks there, who give a fine presentation about their appointee and about the privilege and benefits of the Air Force Academy. Then follow several memorial type scholarships. Next on the program Navy ROTC the second highest dollar amount scholarship (actually the Air Force valued their award at about $350,000, next would be Ss NROTC award, and the remaining scholarships considerably less). Well it says Navy ROTC on the program but nobody is approaching the podium awkward moment lots of looking around nothing more awkward moments. Pretty soon S stands up and heads to the podium to a loud and spontaneous round of applause, introduces himself and gives a brief (and quite graceful considering the circumstances) description of the scholarship. Warm laughter and more applause follow as he heads back to his seat. He comes off like the champ he is definitely a stellar example of future naval officer material. Husband and I sit there stunned for the remainder of the program, head out to the foyer for the reception and hear comments like Well you would think they could send someone, and then the Air Force guys come over, congratulate S, hold him by the shoulder and jokingly say Son, we think it should be clear to you now come over to the BLUE. Everybody chuckles (they cant wait to tell this story) and Navy misses a wonderful opportunity to get exposure from selecting a really well-liked, bright and all-around sharp kid, not to mention some great PR for their $$$$$. What's up with that????</p>
<p>This sounds like the Naval Recruiting District screwed up. A local Navy recruiter is supposed to make NROTC scholarship presentations. The Navy definitely lost a marketing opportunity.</p>
<p>Wow... Your S might want to see if folks in Guidance or head office made the invite call to the ROTC folks. (or whoever was in charge of your awards ceremony). And, if the invite was made, have him call the ROTC folks to let them know it was an awkward moment, but how he handled it (stellarly, I'd say).<br>
I know for mine, who is heading to USNA, all the recuiting office (where he was offered a huge scholarship to any civvie school he got into, but opted for USNA instead), and our BGO, who will put forward the Offer publically, are coming both to the awards breakfast, AND his graduation. Nominator has also been given an invite, and if schedule allows, plans to attend. Current mids, if they're in town/area, will likely be present, as well...
So, someone, somewhere, made a mis-step. Perhaps there was an accident or they were unavoidably detained? Worth asking, at least... (trying to give them the benefit of the doubt here...)</p>
<p>Hey jm – thanks for the reply. I did specifically question S's counselor about the presentation several weeks ago. Navy had already contacted him with all the scholarship information even before we had been officially notified. He said to expect something special, that they did a neat presentation and that there would also be a AFA presentation. Needless to say, his counselor felt terrible and would have prepared something himself if he had known Navy wasn't coming. The nice Air Force guys even said they were on the verge of heading to the stage to do something when S got up and did his "self" presentation. This kid has been on such a relentless roller coaster ride with navy the past couple of years, we were hoping to see him catch a break (and perhaps a little recognition). Luckily, he's hardy - more so than his mom I think.</p>
<p>Well, as bad as someone screwed up on a positive note everyone there learned something very important about your son and his grace under pressure. You deserve to be incredibly proud with his demonstrated confidence and ability. It is only one in a thousand who could do what he did under those circumstances and at his age. Congratulations Utahmom for doing such a great job with your boy.</p>
<p>Welcome to the world of the military :)</p>
<p>Doesn't surprise me in the least, but your son handled it well, congrats on the scholarship.</p>
<p>LOL kp! I did not want to say quite that, but, dad's retired Navy, older son active duty, and my thought was that exactly....."welcome to the wonderful world of the military!"</p>
<p>The thought of that makes me ill. Oh, Utahmom! I am so sorry that happened. Our B&G has been great about checking up on that stuff. </p>
<p>Ooooh! (primal scream of frustration there, except vocal and LOUD).</p>
<p>Seriously, our counseling office told the BGO the date of the awards ceremony for the semester. I mean, like health student of the month, most improved english scholar, etc. It was really pretty humorous. So, the upside was that the BGO came to the little awards thing (and apologized profusely, although it was not his fault) and a USNA grad from the class of '58 (cool! our son's link in the chain class) came (because he was the grandfather of a kid on another swim team so we knew him vaguely and asked him to) and presented at the Senior Awards Ceremony. I think it actually meant more to our son the way it turned out, and the connection with Col. Ferree (he went Air Force) has meant a lot to our son as he has progressed through the academy. Lemons into lemonade. We were able to do that since we had some warning. Like "Your coming when? But that's the..." You, of course, must have been stunned! Fortunately, your son was poised under pressure! Excellent officer material!:)</p>
<p>^^^^Concur w/momof1 and wpson2010. You son is GRACE UNDER PRESSURE!! You and your husband have done a great job, Utahmom!</p>
<p>Thanks ya'll for taking the time to respond with such thoughtful and understanding comments. I think that is what these forums should be all about - somewhere to get good information, support, and maybe even a bit of empathy at times from others who understand all the twists and turns of this 'long, strange trip'. Fortunately, S has received some really nice feedback - last night at the HS lacrosse team banquet, a parent we didn't even know came up to him and very sincerely said "Hey, well done at the assembly, you showed a lot of class". Thanks again to everyone for being so nice - utahmom</p>