Romeoville's Quan Receives Rare 4-Year NROTC Scholarship

Article submitted by Valley View School District

Marine Corps officials paid a surprise visit to Romeoville High School senior Daniel Quan Friday to award him a full four-year Navy ROTC scholarship to one of five major midwest universities.

Quan, who is Cadet Battalion Commander of the Romeoville High School Marine Junior ROTC Unit, was one of only five students in the Chicago area to receive the coveted scholarship. While pursuing what he hopes to be a degree in psychology, he will participate in the Marine Corps ROTC option at either Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan State, Notre Dame, or the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

“I’m honored to receive the scholarship,” Quan said.

“There was a lot of competition for this scholarship,” said Capt. Daniel Kinney, executive officer of Marine Corps recruiting for the 12-state Ninth Marine Corps District. “We look at the whole person concept when we select these individuals. We look at the GPA. We look at standardized test scores. We look at the things they participate in both in school and out of school.”

Capt. Kinney also said Quan had to go through two interviews with commissioned officers in the United States Marine Corps and was required to undergo rigorous physical exams.

Quan is co-president of RHS Leadership Club and has participated in numerous school and community service events and fundraisers.  He is member of Student Government, an honor student, a member of the National Honor Society and a Valley View School District 365U “Those Who Excel” honoree. He is a member of the track and cross country teams at RHS as well.

“We’re excited about this,” said his father, Sherman, who attended the surprise announcement along with Daniel’s mother, Donna. “Daniel is committed to being the best he can be. He’s a hard worker. He’s focused. And he enjoys helping people.”  

(To see a video of the surprise visit, click here.)