Arlington High School Senior Kylie Abbey-Zanni has been selected to receive a four-year scholarship that pays full (100 percent) college tuition and associated fees at any public or private institution with an Air Force ROTC detachment. The Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) J-100 Character-in-Leadership Scholarship is valued at $250,000. The scholarship is awarded to only 100 cadets throughout the nation and six countries. Abbey-Zanni is the only 2024 recipient of the scholarship in Washington state.
Abbey-Zanni is one of five children in her family and one who aspires to become a commissioned officer in the Air Force. She quickly took to the AFJROTC program at Arlington High School shortly after her family relocated to Washington state from Northern California in 2020.
“The AFJROTC program at Arlington High School really instills integrity, commitment and perseverance in the cadets that participate in the program,” said Abbey-Zanni. “It shows that being a leader is so much more than a title.”
She is shocked and grateful to earn the scholarship. Abbey-Zanni was nominated for the scholarship by her AFJROTC instructors.
“Kylie stood out the moment she stepped into the cadet corps at Arlington High School,” said Major Mike Blue, Senior Aerospace Science Instructor. “She has ambition, knows what she wants to do, and has great follow-through. She is the first cadet to earn this scholarship at Arlington High School.”
Although Abbey-Zanni could use the scholarship at any university across the nation with an AFROTC detachment, she plans to attend a university in Washington state. Her ultimate goal is to become a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force.