Ronan student receives top scholarship

By MEGAN STRICKLAND

For the Leader 

When it comes to becoming a United States Marine, Ronan teenager Kail Cheff was willing to do whatever it takes. 

“I was going to be a U.S. Marine by hook or by crook,” Cheff said. “It had always been a dream of mine.” 

Last fall the teenager convinced his parents Monty and Charity Cheff to sign the paperwork to let their 17-year-old son join up as he was serving his final year of Ronan High School. 

Cheff enlisted and was prepared to go the traditional route of entry into the Armed Forces after graduation, but late in the school year Cheff was happy to learn that he had received a prestigious $180,000 scholarship that will allow him to attend Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. 

“I was super excited,” Cheff said. “I had always wanted to go to college.” 

Recruiting Sgt. Andrew McConnell said that the scholarships are highly competitive. Students are required to be in the top 10 percent of his or her class, have above average test scores and be physically fit for consideration. 

“There’s only about 50 of them in the nation given out,” McConnell said. “A Polson student got it last year and a Ronan student got it this year. If you look at it in terms of the whole entire country when there are only around 50 of them given out, it speaks well for the schools in Lake County.” 

McConnell said Cheff’s many school activities stood out on his application. 

“I did a lot of stuff in school,” Cheff said. “I’m a joiner of things. I do a lot of stuff. I did football, wrestling, golf, speech and debate, I acted in plays. I was in National Honor Society. I volunteered for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. I was in robotics for a little while.” 

Cheff said he is really ready to serve his country and attend college. Cheff’s mom Charity Cheff said that she encourages parents to be open-minded about military service because she was like a lot of parents and didn’t realize the many, many routes student can take in joining the military. 

“I’m proud,” Charity Cheff said. “It’s pretty exciting. We’ll see where it takes him.” 

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.