On Monday, January 8, 2024 officers and members of the The VFW Calabash Post 7288 and it’s Auxiliary were at the West Brunswick High school to present a check to be used toward the 3rd annual scholarship for the West Brunswick High School JROTC Program. 

The VFW Calabash Post 7288 has fostered a relationship with Colonel Joseph Calisto, a veteran with a distinguished 24 year army career, who serves as the West Brunswick High School JROTC Instructor. The post established this annual scholarship award to support JROTC's mission to "Motivate Young People to Become Better Citizens." and to recognized outstanding cadets in the program.

This scholarship will be awarded to college bound seniors whose excellent grades and exceptional leadership skills are recognized and awarded by  Colonel Calisto and his JROTC staff. Once the student is accepted by the college of their choice the funds are forwarded to the school. The college does not have to be a military academy and the student does not have to pursue ROTC studies, but many of the outstanding students who received this award in the past have done so. The scholarship is flexible and may be awarded to multiple students. Last years $5,000 award was split between two winners, one attending N. C. State and the other attending East Carolina University.

Colonel Calisto thanked the Post members and reminded the students of the value of a scholarship to their future education and success, encouraging them to work hard to earn the opportunity to be considered for this prestigious award. This years scholarship is expected to exceed the the 2023 award amount as the post pursues additional charitable funding.