Countless teenagers dread the first day of school, especially if they’re stepping into high school for the first time. Not 14-year-old Ellie Schuler of Apex—she can’t wait to get started! But, while most of her peers from Salem Elementary and Salem Middle will become Apex High Cougars or Apex Friendship Patriots, Ellie is looking forward to attending Cary High School and being a proud member of their Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program
A Class of its Own
Cary High School is one of only four high schools in Wake County that offers students an opportunity to reap the many benefits that come from the structure, discipline, and camaraderie of a military training program. According to the Wake County Public School System website, Junior ROTC courses are four-year programs that partner with the Healthful Living department. The Navy JROTC in-class curriculum consists of academics, drills, and physical fitness, as well as visits to military facilities where cadets can learn more about military personnel, equipment, training, and activities. Each school unit serves its student body and local community by presenting colors (U.S. and NC flags) in school ceremonies, performing in color guards, and marching in parades. Units also sponsor voluntary, competitive and non-competitive team activities in Academics, Color Guard, Drill, Field Team, Marksmanship, Orienteering, and Physical Fitness.
The curriculum and team activities are designed to foster a sense of camaraderie and community among cadets, increase their social interaction and leadership skills, and provide opportunities for them to earn merit ribbons, medals, and privileges. While NJROTC participation in no way results in an obligation to serve in any branch of the U.S. military, a successful cadet earns eligibility for college ROTC scholarships, nomination to a military academy, and advanced rank for enlistment. Ultimately, the Navy Junior ROTC program strives to develop strong citizens and leaders.
Early Interest
This may not sound like a typical high school experience, but Ellie isn’t a typical high school freshman. She spent three years in Salem Middle School’s after-school NJROTC club where she was one of only two or three girls out of ten to fifteen club members each year. At Salem Middle School, the club was responsible for leading the Pledge of Allegiance on the morning announcements; raising and lowering the flag every day; providing color guard for football and basketball games; and participating in Military Appreciation Night, the club expo for rising sixth graders and their families, open house and orientation events, and eighth grade graduation ceremonies.
Ellie credits her interest in the military to two special U.S. Army veterans she knows well. One is her karate sensei under whose guidance she has been studying since the fifth grade. The other is her grandfather who was an Army Military Police Officer during the Vietnam War. “My mom’s dad was a big part of it,” Ellie says. “He talked to me about the military and told me it’s a responsibility to serve.” A recent visit to Fort Bragg left a particularly lasting impression. “Grandpa took me to the military history museum and someone asked him if he was a Vietnam vet. He said yes and they had someone come out and thank him, shake his hand, and put a pin on his collar, because those veterans never had a proper thank you. I never knew that. I assumed soldiers had been appreciated because they risked their lives to protect people, but that opened my eyes to the fact that maybe that wasn’t true. I think soldiers from Vietnam were even more honorable because they were doing it in spite of the fact that they would never be appreciated.”
Ellie first met members of Cary High School’s NJROTC program when a recruiting team came to a Salem Middle School club meeting. “The first few times, four guys came. My last year, there were girls with them, including the girl who is second in command of their program.” After meeting the commander and other officers at Cary High’s open house for rising freshmen in February 2018, Ellie was encouraged to apply to WCPSS for a transfer from her assigned base school, Apex High, in order to attend Cary High and participate in their program.
Fighting for a Seat
Ellie and her parents, Rick and Laura Schuler, submitted their request. A short time later, they received a letter denying Ellie a transfer. No reason for the rejection was given but the letter allowed them an opportunity to appeal the decision, so Rick and Laura prepared to address the WCPSS school board in April. As the school board meeting date drew near, Ellie contacted Congressman George Holding’s office. She explained her situation and requested that the congressman write a letter of recommendation and send it to the school board. She also discussed the appeal with her guidance counselor and school principal at Salem Middle School as well as with friends and business contacts of her parents. The Schulers don’t know whether or not the school board had received any words on Ellie’s behalf when they presented their argument, but their request for a transfer was denied a second time, and again, with no explanation.
With no further recourse, and no reason given as to why Ellie couldn’t transfer, the Schulers were frustrated and disappointed. Laura said, “We couldn’t understand why they had sent recruitment teams to Salem Middle to recruit kids to the Cary High program, and then denied the transfers. The kids were under the impression transfers would be approved.” Ellie was confused as well, especially since her request was purely academic and not social. “If the program isn’t offered at the school I’m assigned to, why keep me from going to the school that has the program? Cary High is no more crowded than Apex High.”
Then, in the early weeks of the summer, Laura received a surprise email from WCPSS informing her that their request for Ellie to transfer had been approved.
Ready to Join the Ranks
With her plans falling into place, Ellie seems a natural when it comes to succeeding as a NJROTC cadet. “At the high school open house, they talked a lot about staying on track in JROTC. You can’t get in trouble or let your grades drop. You’re held to a high standard. And, like in middle school, it’s a community. When you train and work with people, and you go through a lot with them, that’s where you get inspiration. People who are in higher rank than you are the more inspirational ones, and for me, specifically the female leaders. Peer pressure goes the other way in JROTC. All of your friends are encouraging you not to do bad things.”
Laura is already seeing changes in Ellie and she can appreciate how her daughter’s character, leadership, and fitness strengths blend with JROTC expectations. “Between karate and JROTC, Ellie is so much healthier. She works out a lot. She’s always been a good kid and she’s happy. The middle school program was not as involved because it was an after-school club. I’m looking forward to the high school program. They have high expectations and are setting the example for what they want young people to be in our country. They expect them to have higher expectations of themselves. Ellie is very dedicated. During track out, she would get on the bus and go to Salem Middle to do color guard for the graduation of the other tracks.”
Of course, Laura also feels an understandable amount of concern over her daughter’s interest in the military. “I have fears about my daughter being in the military. I think women in the military face challenges that men do not, but I think it’s important for her to know who she is, stand up for what she believes in, and follow her path even if it’s not the path I would choose for her.”
Ellie is more than ready to get started. “I’m excited about high school. I worked hard to get into JROTC and I want to go. The Cary High recruiters told us they are a welcoming community and they look out for each other. They seem like really nice people.”
Looking Down the Road
Although she’s still waiting for the first day of the new school year, Ellie is already looking forward. “After high school graduation,” she says, “I want to go to college. I don’t want to enter the military right out of high school. There are lots of colleges around here with good ROTC programs. I’ve had a lot of people recommend military academies, which would be incredible, but I have to keep a high GPA. That’s motivation for me, and an option I want to keep open. My education is pushing me in the direction of the Navy, but I’ll figure out which branch interests me once I have more to base a decision on.”
Both Laura and Ellie agree that a high school JROTC program isn’t for everyone. Laura’s advice for parents of a young woman considering a path like Ellie’s is: “Give it a shot and see if it’s a fit. It’s not a fit for everyone, but there’s no harm in trying it out. Go see where your arrow is pointing.”
Ellie adds, “If it’s something you’re interested in, don’t let the fact that you are female stop you. Some girls try it and refuse to participate. It’s for women who have motivation to learn and are in it for the right reasons. Without a commitment to JROTC, the enthusiasm will fizzle out. It never occurred to me that my gender affected anything, but with a history of military service in my family, I’d be the first woman in my family to enlist in any branch of the military.”
Ellie Schuler is a young woman who already possesses the traits of a confident leader. Her determination, eloquence, social interaction skills, and self-awareness are characteristics to admire, and when she walks into Cary High School to start her freshman year, she walks armed with everything she needs to be successful.
