Marcus R. Michles JROTC Scholarship

“The decision to create the annual scholarship was the easiest decision that I made all year,” Michles said of the Marcus R. Michles JROTC Scholarship. “My father was an inspiration to me without knowing it and really instilled my value system. These are all, by and large, great kids. I am amazed at how selfless they are and how they never lose sight of their goals.”

Attorney Chris Janes, Managing Partner of the Michles & Booth office in Fort Walton Beach, came up with the idea for the Marcus R. Michles ROTC Scholarship. Janes worked with Marcus J. Michles II to establish the scholarship named after the younger Michles’ father, a retired, disabled Army Major who did three tours in Vietnam. The younger Michles, a founding partner and principal attorney at Michles & Booth, also served in the Army Special Forces Command in the 3rd Special Forces Group.

The Michles Family Freedom Foundation, which awards the Marcus R. Michles JROTC Scholarship money, is well-known for providing financial assistance to families of military members, law enforcement, and first responders killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. “I felt we needed to honor the military service in our area for everything they put on the line to protect our freedoms,” Janes said. “You see athletes getting honored, so I thought why not do something for our high school Junior ROTC members. These young men and women don’t get as much recognition as they should. It was just natural for us to offer the scholarship and begin participating more with the groups throughout the year.”

2021 Marcus R. Michles JROTC Scholarship

We are proud to announce Cadet Col. Gavin Carden of Choctawhatchee High School and Cadet LTC Kathryn Dunn of Crestview High School winners of the 2021 Marcus R. Michles JROTC Scholarship competition.

2019 Marcus R. Michles JROTC Scholarship

The winner of the 6th Annual Marcus R. Michles JROTC Scholarship in the amount of $3000 was Cadet Colonel Diamon Gipson of Choctaw High School. Second place scholarship in the amount of $2000 was awarded to Cadet MSgt. James Webb of Crestview High School.

2018 Marcus R. Michles JROTC Scholarship

The fifth annual JROTC Scholarship had two winners: first-place winner, Fort Walton Beach High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Major James Beyer, and second-place winner, Baker High School Junior ROTC Cadet Major Colton Farris.

2017 Marcus R. Michles JROTC Scholarship

Baker High School Junior JROTC Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Mary Elizabeth Cates was named the fourth winner of the Marcus R. Michles ROTC Scholarship.

2016 Marcus R. Michles JROTC Scholarship

Fort Walton Beach High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Colonel Brendan Bennett was named the third winner of the Marcus R. Michles ROTC Scholarship.

2015 Marcus R. Michles JROTC Scholarship

Fort Walton Beach High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Major Jack Fite was named the second winner of the Marcus R. Michles ROTC Scholarship.

2014 Marcus R. Michles JROTC Scholarship

Fort Walton Beach High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Colonel Dustin Pennington was named the first winner of the Marcus R. Michles ROTC Scholarship.