Read the 2006 application – The New York Times

BIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE
2006-2007 White House Fellowship
WESTLEY W. MOORE
My father, a popular radio and television personality in Maryland, died needlessly at the age of 32. Despite
repeated attempts to explain his symptoms, ignorance about his illness led to the misdiagnosis of a rare form of
acute epiglottitis. He was denied proper treatment, released prematurely from the hospital, and collapsed dead
in front of me hours later. In just a moment, my mother became a widowed guardian of three, and I became
fatherless at 3 years old.
Soon after, I fell into a cycle of academic and disciplinary troubles, which coincided with being detained by the
law and being placed on probation by my elementary school by the age of 12. Disappointed but not dissuaded,
my mother found a way to raise money, by prevailing upon family and friends, and sent me to Valley Forge
Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania for my eighth grade year. Despite initial difficulties, I excelled
academically, tactically and athletically. I achieved excellence for the first time in my life and I vividly
remember feeling that I never wanted to turn back. After receiving academic and athletic scholarships, I was
able to continue my education and graduated from Valley Forge four years later.
After turning down numerous college basketball scholarships, I joined the ROTC program at Valley Forge
Military College. By the end of my sophomore year, I graduated with an Associates Degree with honors and
was commissioned as an Army Officer. At 19 years old, I was the youngest U.S. Army Officer in 1998.
I then transferred to the Johns Hopkins University and immediately became active in the student body. In
addition to playing varsity basketball and football, I became engaged in the March of Dimes and other volunteer
activities on campus. I also continued my engagement with the Baltimore area, and began to work closely with
the city’s Public Defender’s office. The indelible experiences in that office, coupled with my own personal
history led me to create Students Taking A New Direction (STAND!), which mentors, tutors, and advocates for
first and second time juvenile offenders. This program started off with only three mentors, but within two years
became the most popular volunteer program on the college campus. STAND! continues to grow to this day.
I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Phi Beta Kappa degree in international relations and
economics and received a Rhodes Scholarship. I matriculated to Oxford University and began to study
international relations. As a Rhodes Scholar, I took advantage of the opportunity and examined radical Islam in
the Western Hemisphere. I completed my degree with honors and my research has led me to be touted as one of
the foremost experts on the threat.
Following Oxford, I accepted a job as an investment banking associate with Deutsche Bank. I began working
for their prestigious Global Markets Division and focused on the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and
Africa (CEEMEA) region. Despite not having an MBA, I was soon appointed the youngest Associate project
lead in the entire division. After two successful and promising years in investment banking, I accepted an
opportunity to serve in the Global War on Terrorism with the famed 1st Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division.
As the Director of Information Operations, I promoted the positive occurrences, contextualized the
inflammatory images, corrected the false reports, and helped shape the face of the war. The first parliamentary
elections in the nation’s history and the emergence of the Afghan Reconciliation Program are some of the events
where I have crafted coverage strategies. I could not be any more proud of what my team and I accomplished in
Afghanistan and the lasting legacy we have forged. For my work, the 82nd Airborne Division have awarded me
the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
A local anchorwoman who worked closely with my father once told me, “I am just sorry your father couldn’t
finish the work he was put on this earth to do.” I am determined to demonstrate that in me, he not only had a
son who carries his name, but his passions, principles, and commitment to public service as well.