NATCHEZ &045; A $150,000 scholarship isn’t the only thing the ROTC is going to help Adams County Christian School senior Josh Jones land.

One of 120 nationwide to receive the hefty sum for college, Jones will spend his monthly checks at Florida’s Jacksonville University flight operations program.

After four years of college, Jones will be a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and fulfill his contract, hopefully as a pilot, he said.

&uot;Since I was 8, I’ve always wanted to (be a pilot),&uot; Jones said. &uot;I used to live in North Carolina and fly here to see my grandparents. I used to just love riding in airplanes.&uot;

Jones, 18, didn’t approach the military looking for money though, Marine Staff Sgt. Wyndell Nelson said.

&uot;He came into the Marine Corps program not looking for a scholarship, but we reviewed his scores and said we’d put him up for it,&uot; Nelson said. &uot;He wasn’t looking for it, but he deserves it. He’s a team player and a very down to earth type guy.&uot;

Jones had to meet physical qualifications, submit academic and involvement reports from high school and interview with two Marines to qualify for the scholarship.

He was one of about five in the Mississippi/Louisiana region to meet the qualifications, receive the money and bypass the normal first step into the military.

&uot;I signed up for the infantry,&uot; he said. &uot;I would’ve been leaving for boot camp on the 23rd.&uot;

But instead, Jones will have a free ride through college, with money back for other expenses. Combined with a scholarship from the university, Jones has more than enough for classes and room and board.

&uot;It’s a great deal,&uot; he said. &uot;They are paying me money.&uot;

Throughout the scholarship process Jones got to know Nelson and Staff Sgt. Brett Marks, who said he enjoyed getting know Jones.

&uot;When you look at a well-rounded individual, Josh is it,&uot; Marks said. &uot;He’s definitely going to excel in life and whatever he puts his mind to, and the Marine Corps is going to open up those doors for him.&uot;

At AC, Jones served as class president, played football, basketball and tennis, participated in the Science Club, Beta Club and Honor Society and maintained a 3.9 GPA.

&uot;I’m always doing something active,&uot; he said. &uot;Either lifting weights or playing sports.&uot;

Jones is leaving today to tour Jacksonville University. In the fall, he will leave for school a week early to participate in a mini boot camp.

Jones has attended AC since fifth-grade and is the son of Terrel and Lisa Jones and grandson of Carol Chavis and the late Sam Chavis.