By Debbie Burt Myers

A Neshoba Central High School senior has been selected for the Naval ROTC Preparatory Scholarship Program at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va.

Dillon Morris, a four-year JROTC member of the Rocket Company, is the recipient of this honor which helps high school students with great potential in academics, character and extracurricular activities, but who may lack high standardized test scores or advanced high school courses, to apply for one-year university or privately funded scholarships.

University NROTC Prep programs are designed to provide students with the educational foundation necessary for success in the NROTC program and the Navy.

The participating colleges and universities have their own requirements for selecting recipients; however, upon completion, students may be offered a full NROTC scholarship.

Morris, the son of Keith and Heather Morris, was extremely excited to be chosen for the opportunity.

In addition to applying for the scholarship, he also submitted an application to Jacksonville University.

“Those were the two,” an excited Morris said, reflecting on his decision.  “I loved it at Regent. I toured there the same day I had my interview for the program. The week prior, I had my Jacksonville interview.”

Although the decision was hard, Morris admitted that he was nervous about being accepted into either program.

“I was worried I might not get in either,” he said. “My parents kept saying ‘Dillon, we know you are going to get accepted by both. We don’t have any doubt.’ I thought they were just hyping me up!”

Morris said he turned to God while waiting for an outcome.

“I prayed a lot about it asking God where He wanted me to go. Then, of course, there was the wishful, like what’s better for me. Where would I feel more comfortable?”

After being accepted to both, Morris chose Regent because of his connection to the area among other reasons.

 “It’s roughly four hours from where I was born in Thomasville, N. C. I still have family there,” he said. “It was a big, taxing decision, probably the biggest decision that I had made up until this point in my life.”

While his father served a four-year enlistment in the Navy, Morris has set his sights on a full Navy career.

 “It’s my dream job,” he said.

The Naval JROTC program at Neshoba Central played a significant role in shaping his career goals.

“It opened me up to a lot of opportunities, especially in leadership,” Morris said. “The ability to communicate clearly and take on leadership roles was really important.”

 Being a good person, showing citizenship and helping others who are going through challenges was high on Morris’ goals.

Over the years, he has offered guidance and counseling to many of his friends in JROTC.

“I am really grateful for that,” he said.

Morris said his parents “were stoked” when they learned about his scholarship.

“I saw my dad cry for the first time in my life,” he said. “That was weird for me. It made me really proud of myself that I did all the work to get me to the next step in my life where I can continue to grow and become who I want to be and who God wants me to be.”

Morris also expressed his gratitude to his mother, who played a pivotal role in his success.

“My mom was my saving grace,” he said, describing her as a “paper-work legend.”

Chief Michael Bulloch, Neshoba Central’s JROTC instructor, said Morris is the first student in his seven years of teaching to receive this scholarship.

“I am really proud of Dillon,” he said. “He has done a lot of hard work to earn this.”

Chief Bulloch has been at Neshoba for four years.

“Dillon’s class of 2025 is the class I started teaching as freshmen,” he said.

 During his time in the NJROTC program at Neshoba, Morris has served in many leadership roles. Being selected to positions such as the senior enlisted cadet, the Executive Officer, and the Commanding Officer. Additionally, he has participated on many of the NJROTC teams, including: Cyber Patriot, Academic Team, Orienteering Team, Drone class and Drill Teams.

While on the Drill Team he served as the Drill Team Commander, Armed Exhibition Commander as well as the Color Guard Commander. Morris’ NJROTC awards includes Distinguished Unit, Honor Cadet, Naval Science I, II and III Outstanding Cadet, Exemplary Conduct, Exemplary Personal Appearance, Unit Service, Community Service, Academic Team, Drill Team, Color Guard, Orienteering, Underservice Competition, and the Leadership Training awards.

 Additionally, he has earned The Order of the Daedalian Award and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Award. Morris is one of four Neshoba Central JROTC cadets selected to attend the National Flight Academy and earn his EXP wings.

Morris is a graduate of Basic Leadership Training and Leadership Academy. He served as a graduate assistant at the 2024 Area 16 Leadership Camps.

Upon graduation from high school, Morris plans to attend New Student Indoctrination in Illinois before starting classes at Regent University in the fall.