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Daniel Cruz, a recent graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic High School, is living proof of how perseverance and hard work can pay off with big rewards. Daniel was just accepted into the Canadian Forces’ Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) and given a sponsorship worth $135,000.
The ROTP program consists of a full-paid university education and an $18,000 salary for the four years he will spend in university. Daniel has chosen to enroll in a Civil Engineering undergraduate program and once complete, he must serve with the Canadian Forces for nine years as a Construction Engineer.
Daniel is no stranger to hard work and excellence. He recently attained the third highest average of this year’s Sacred Heart CHS graduates, scoring a 95 per cent average in his top six Grade 12 classes.
Reflecting on his experience and journey to attaining the sponsorship, Daniel admits the process took some time but was certainly well worth it.
“The application process was a rather long one and there were various steps that had to be done,” explains Daniel. “The first step was to go online and apply at the Canadian Forces website and then fill out a lot of forms.”
When choosing a candidate, the Canadian Forces looks at many different factors ranging from personal information, extracurricular activities, awards and achievements, job and volunteering history and the testimony of five references.
Once his forms were handed in, Daniel then had to write an essay on why he should be accepted, followed by aptitude tests that measured his mathematical, language and spatial abilities. He also had to go through a series of medical tests that checked everything from his eyesight to his listening abilities. Lastly, he completed a two-hour interview at the Barrie Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre.
After the application process was over, the only thing left to do was wait.
When Daniel finally received the news he had been accepted, he was thrilled.
“When I found out I had won, I felt relief as I had been anxiously waiting for this response for over two long months,” said Daniel. “I also felt overwhelmed and very happy that I had been given this amazing opportunity to take part in such a great program.”
As his exciting future quickly approaches, Daniel is making arrangements to attend a one-month introduction to military life at the Royal Military College (RMC) Saint Jean in Quebec. After spending one year at RMC-Saint Jean, he will then be transferred over to RMC-Kingston for the remaining three years of his Civil Engineering undergraduate studies. Following his studies, he will begin an exciting and rewarding career with the Canadian Forces.
Daniel’s success doesn’t surprise Superintendent Michael Nasello.
"Daniel should be very proud of his accomplishments," said Mr. Nasello. "He's a hard-working student who always gives his best, and winning this scholarship is not only a tribute to him but a sign of the hope and support from the Canadian Forces in our future leaders."
Daniel’s family couldn’t be more proud of their son and his decision to apply for the sponsorship.
“My parents and grandparents are so proud that I have chosen this path as my future,” said Daniel. “They are even more proud that I have made this decision on my own without letting myself being influenced by others.”
Daniel finds the most joy in knowing that others are proud of him and look forward to sharing in his exciting future.
“It makes me really happy to know that the people closest to me are enjoying this success along with me. It makes it that much more rewarding.”
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