Greenbrier High School senior, Abigayle Clontz received a full scholarship from the United States Navy to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. Clontz filled out a scholarship application that was submitted by the Nashville Navy recruiting office in October of 2021. Chief Tad Pooler, Naval Reserve Officer Training Coordinator for Middle-Tennessee, said his office had just now received confirmation of acceptance for Clontz.
The presentation of her $200,000 scholarship was in the GHS library and came as a complete surprise to Clontz. Commander Lauren Majchrzak, Commander of the Navy Talent Acquisition Group in Nashville presented the check to Clontz in the presence of Clontz’s parents, school officials, and other Navy personnel.
Majchrzak described Abigayle’s selection as a rigorous process.
While some scholarships are selected locally, “Abby’s application was picked up nationally, so her packet went down to Pensacola to the national board,” said Majchrzak. It was reviewed there by a bunch of very senior officers, and they decided that she deserved a scholarship. She picked up a nursing scholarship which are very few and far between. This is truly phenomenal.”
For her part, Clontz was overwhelmed with the event.
“I feel amazing,” she said. “It’s kind of crazy to think about all this and how it’s all real and coming true! I didn’t think I was going to get it. They only take, like, 19 nationwide.”
After graduation, Clontz will enroll in JSU and begin her journey to a nursing degree. “Then I want to become a nurse anesthetist,” she said. Once she reaches that goal, she intends to make a career of her service to her country as a proud member of the United States Navy.
