Making the most of his education and his life
MTS is featuring Cadet Chris this month because he is making the most of his education here at MTS. Not only the top senior this quarter, he is also on the Dean’s list at MCTC, where he is taking forensic science, introduction to corrections and more. “I’m going to graduate this year and start college as a sophomore!” Chris said, jumpstarting his plan to study corrections and law enforcement.
MTS isn’t the only school that offers college course work in high school, but it is the only free program in Hennepin County that offers JROTC in the General Colin L. Powell Leadership Academy, which is what drew Chris to MTS as a Freshman.
“The JROTC program can change students’ lives. There are so many remarkable opportunities for students: we march in parades, volunteer in the community, compete against other JROTC programs and attend summer leadership camps to name a few,” said Colonel(R) Hetherington, the program’s director.
“I learned how to be a leader. I learned discipline. The program gives you structure. I’m a Captain and in charge of supplies and logistics for the entire Corp of Cadets. There are so many opportunities in this program. Now I’m the top Senior.”
So how did Chris find his way to MTS? “We actually got a postcard in the mail. I’d had kind of a hard time in Middle school; something different sounded good and I was very interested in leadership and the military,” said Chris. And Chris has played baseball, taken first responder classes, had paid work positions (through the Step-Up program) all while going to school, and more. “There are a lot of things for you at MTS.”
The four years Chris spent in the JROTC program and MTS just might help shape his whole life.
