2025 graduate Allison Carney recently signed her letter of intent to attend Duquesne University, majoring in Nursing, while also enrolling with the Navy ROTC. In doing so, she will receive full tuition to Duquesne for her program - a $200,000 value! After graduation from Duquesne, she will commit to 4 years with the United States Navy. Below is her self-written story about her inspiration and decision. We are all very proud of Allison!
Mr. Graffte, my former computer applications teacher, first sparked my interest in joining the military after talking about his experience in the military. I believed that it was a calling of mine to join the military in some way. When I found out about the ROTC scholarship, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me. After some research into the different military branches and my desire to be a nurse, I narrowed my focus to the Navy. I visited the Steel City NROTC unit in Pittsburgh the spring of my junior year to get more information. After that, I sought out some Navy veterans to talk to, and God put other Navy people in my path who all spoke so highly of their experiences in the Navy. I knew then that the Navy was something I could do and began the application process.
The process was not easy, however, but in the end, it was very rewarding. Before I could start the scholarship application, I had to reach an established minimum SAT score. So, after I surpassed the minimum score, I was ready to officially start the application process. There was an online application portion which included an essay, teacher and coaches’ recommendations, and miscellaneous information. There was a physical fitness test requirement in which I had to run one mile, do as many push-ups as possible within 2 minutes, and hold a plank for a maximum amount of time. Then, I had to do an in-person interview with Captain Tomon, the captain of the Steel City NROTC unit. I was anxiously waiting to hear the response after the scholarship selection board met in December. On December 18th, I received the email that I received the scholarship. I was hopeful that I might receive the scholarship, but I realized it was very competitive. So, I was not expecting that email to congratulate me as a scholarship recipient but was so happy that I did!
The Navy ROTC Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship. I recently learned that I was chosen as one of six nursing recipients for the scholarship out of 112 applicants. The Navy ROTC Scholarship is for four years and covers full tuition, and Duquesne has money allotted for my room. Through this scholarship I am required to pay back four years of service to the Navy.
This coming summer I am required to go to an 18-day training at the Great Lakes Training Center in Chicago. Then, during the school year there is physical training two mornings a week and course work that I must complete. Summers during college I will be required to do a month-long summer cruise for training and job shadowing.
I am truly grateful for this opportunity. So many people have helped me through this journey, and I owe my sincere appreciation to them. I would like to thank my family for supporting and encouraging me through this journey as well as my teachers and the faculty at Bishop Carroll. Additionally, members of the Steel City Navy ROTC, DC1 Caldwell, and Chris Boisennault of Veterans Affairs at Duquesne University were always available to answer my questions and help guide me through this process. I am very appreciative that Bishop Carroll has prepared me very well for this. I know this experience will be life-changing, and I’m so excited for what is to come. Go Navy!