Shannon Cassidy, a 2023 White House Heritage High School graduate, was the recipient of the 2022-2023 Tennessee Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Commander's Leadership Scholarship, an award given to only one senior per year in the state. 

Well deserved, Shannon was a four-year member of the Robertson County Air Force Junior ROTC (JROTC). The highly esteemed scholarship pays 100% of college tuition and authorized fees at any public or private institution with an Air Force ROTC detachment. Shannon will also receive a $300-$500 monthly stipend for living expenses in addition to a $900 per academic year annual book stipend.

Shannon plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University in the fall, majoring in Forensic Science while attending ROTC classes at Tennessee State University per an agreement between the two institutions. 

Upon her planned graduation in 2027, Shannon will become a third generation service member, receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Shannon is proud to carry her family’s tradition of serving in the United States Military. She has two veteran Grandfathers, one who served in the Army and the other in the Navy. Additionally, her parents are both retired from the Navy, and her brother is currently on active duty with the Navy, stationed in Norfolk. 

“I grew up wanting to be in the Navy, wanting to do what my parents and my brother did,” said Shannon. “It was a hard decision, but I ultimately wanted to stick with the Air Force because I was already used to their procedures and expectations.” 

Once becoming active duty, Shannon hopes to pursue a job with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. “Only 5 to 7 from ROTC get chosen to go into that,” laughed Shannon. “That’s pretty slim. You really have to show that you are worth it to get into that program.”

But when viewing her list of accomplishments and achievements, landing her dream job certainly seems attainable for Shannon. During her time with JROTC, Shannon was a member of the Joint Leadership Academic Team, leading them to the National Finals twice, a member of the Raider Team (Physical Fitness Team), and was the Cadet Group Commander. Last summer she attended the Mountaineer Cadet Leadership Camp at Concord University in Athens, West Virginia where she graduated 36 out of 208 cadets. Shannon also found time to manage a 4.0 GPA and put in a staggering 600 community service hours. 

According to Major Lightfoot, Shannon’s JROTC Instructor, she has been involved in every aspect of Air Force JROTC in Robertson County. “She set the example daily in dress and appearance, positive attitude, professionalism, and serving her nation and community,” said Lightfoot. 

Shannon credits both her family and her time in JROTC as the force behind her success so far. “It’s been such a blessing to have such great people surrounding me, pushing me, and being an inspiration.”

From all of us at Stay Positive, we’d like to wish Shannon the best of luck carrying on her family’s tradition of service, and we can’t wait to see what she does!