CCHS JROTC cadet receives army ROTC scholarship
By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press
A Copperas Cove High School senior is one of the latest recipients of a $140,655 Army ROTC scholarship.
Ryan Bithorn was recognized and presented with his scholarship at the Homecoming for National Mounted Warfare Foundation’s sixth annual Heroes Gala held at the National Mounted Warrior Museum Saturday evening. He was one of four JROTC cadets recognized and the only one from Copperas Cove High School.
Bithorn plans to attend the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Georgia, where he will participate in the Corps of Cadets and upon graduation will commission into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. He will be majoring in finance with a minor in German and hopes to use his training from ROTC to lead his fellow soldiers in defending the country.
Bithorn has two years of experience in JROTC, one as a freshman at his previous school in Columbus, Georgia, and one as a senior at Copperas Cove High School. During his time at Copperas Cove High School, he served as a platoon leader and participated in several JROTC extracurricular activities and events.
Ret. Chief Warrant Officer Enrique Herrera, the Copperas Cove High School JROTC senior instructor, shared that Copperas Cove High School’s JROTC program has been identified by the Pentagon to be within the top 10 percent of its size to have more students enter and enlist in the military or go on to an ROTC program at a college level.
“He possesses that demeanor that I think a cadet should have if he’s going to attend the academy,” Herrera said about Bithorn. “He definitely has the qualifications and the requirements to be not only an ROTC cadet but an officer in the United States Army.”
Bithorn said that receiving this scholarship is a blessing of an opportunity to be able to pursue his education with financial freedom and the ability to choose his own path to his career with no restrictions.
“I’m incredibly grateful that it unlocks a door for me to benefit my family and the people who support me,” Bithorn said. “The Homecoming for Heroes Gala was a historic night because it was the first event hosted in the National Mounted Warrior Museum. It was an honor to receive the award at the first official event in front of many outstanding people who I look up to and aspire to be like. This opportunity provides me with the ability to serve something greater than myself while furthering my education. It allows for me to join a legacy of esteemed individuals who live a life of sacrifice and service to others. Throughout the process of attaining this scholarship, I have received a tremendous amount of support and guidance from my family, individuals in the Army, teachers and many more.”
Bithorn comes from a family familiar with military service. His father graduated from Norwich University as a member of the Corps of Cadets before commissioning as an officer, which he has served as for 18 years now. Bithorn also has an uncle who holds the rank of sergeant first class and has served for nearly 12 years.
“I have moved from one military post to another over my lifetime and I am incredibly grateful for the experience of growing up in the Army,” Bithorn said. “Commissioning as an officer through an ROTC scholarship means that I get to join and continue a legacy of service in my family through the military.”