North Phoenix Senior Receives NROTC Scholarship

North Phoenix Prep December 12, 2024 -

Excitement and cheers were at an all-time high at a recent North Phoenix Prep varsity boys basketball game, but it wasn’t all for the game. Senior player Jordael Hernandez was surprised by Captain Branden Greb, Executive Officer of the Recruiting Station Phoenix, USMC, who delivered the news that Hernandez was selected for the U.S. Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship. Captain Greb was no stranger to Hernandez as he also conducted his in-person interview during the application process.

“I felt a wave of relief when the scholarship announcement was made just before my varsity basketball game!” recalled Hernandez. “I’m grateful to have the NROTC scholarship as an option now.”

According to his college counselor, Sheila Conner, Hernandez has selected an ambitious field of study. “His passion for helping others and academic interest in STEM fields have led Jordael to select Biomedical Engineering for his studies at college. Awaiting admission decisions from many institutions, Jordael has yet to identify his top choice.”

Conner said she thinks Hernandez displays superhuman ability and grace while juggling varsity athletics competition, community service, family commitments, and a challenging honors-level courseload. “Jordael naturally demonstrates a heart for service and leads with humility and integrity,” she added.

Many faculty members had nothing but praise for this remarkable scholar and athlete. His studio art teacher, Bruce Black, has been impressed with his ability to balance the demands of athletics with his fast-paced academic schedule, all with determination and grace. “From the moment I met Jordael, I was impressed by his quiet confidence and respectful demeanor,” shared Black. “Despite his popularity on campus, he remains humble and always willing to lend a helping hand. Jordael frequently volunteers at various school events and assists both teachers and front office staff, embodying a true servant’s heart.”

Logan Kelly was Hernandez’s Logic & Computation teacher last year. “I witnessed his extraordinary work ethic, intense desire to learn and excellent critical thinking skills firsthand. He has worked very hard to become someone who desires to take on and master challenging concepts. He is a young man who holds himself accountable and values his integrity. His sense of compassion and kindness towards others and his genuine humility is beyond his years.”

“What always impressed me was his ability to ask just the right question of his classmates to clarify or advance the conversation,” said Humane Letters teacher, Julie Flood. “He treated his classmates with respect and patience, listening to what they said and gently leading them to conclusions. Jordael embodies the virtues of quiet service, love of friends and family, and leadership that is not about domination but about helping other find their strength.”

“The first thing I noticed about Jordael was how polite, good-mannered, and kind he was to his peers and myself. To this day, he has seldom failed to observe people around him and to enquire about them,” shared French teacher, Catherine Stevenson. “He is intuitively and naturally inclined to be a team player and displays a spirit of service in the classroom and the school, as exemplified by his involvement in our Student Service Organization.”

He is just as impressive an athlete according to Athletic Director Joseph Page and his cross country/track & field coach, Brad Curtis. “It has been a great pleasure to watch Jordael grow into the young man he is today,” said Page. “He started out as an unassuming, somewhat shy follower, who has grown into a strong servant leader. Jordael has worked diligently to improve himself as a person, a student, and an athlete. This is evidenced by him being a three-sport varsity student-athlete who has been honored as an all-state/all-academic student-athlete in two of the sports. He is one of the few students on campus who others look-up to as a leader in life, as well as a leader both on and off the field of competition.”

Curtis added that he has been an exceptional member of his teams for the past four years. “He has earned varsity recognition 3x XC and 2x track. His dedication to the team and determination as an individual has elevated him to a top 10 athlete all-time in our distance program history,” said Curtis. “He is a key leader on our teams and has helped in continuing our programs success. It has been exciting to watch his growth over the past four years. As I was looking over pictures from his high school career, you could see the growth from a boy to a man. He will be an asset to our military as he understands what it takes to work hard, he has developed key leadership qualities, and his athletic abilities are in the top of his class.”

Conner said it’s important to note the NROTC scholarship application process required competitive grades, well-written personal essays, a physical fitness test, an in-person interview, and several faculty recommenders. “For students interested in pursuing a military career, this scholarship makes it possible for them to engage with the traditional college experience without consideration to cost then transition to serve as a Naval Officer,” she added. “We’re all so excited to celebrate Jordael’s next steps in his college journey!”

“I want to thank my parents, Coach Page, and College Counseling for their help and support through the application process,” shared Hernandez. He will be leaving behind some big fans at North Phoenix Prep when he graduates in the spring of 2025.

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