National Awards Night

The National Awards Ceremony for the 2016-2017 school year took place May 3^rd.  This was a night of recognizing those who worked hard and put their all into the program. Former Battalion Commander Mason Perez was the announcer for the night doing an amazing job at showing his enthusiasm for his fellow cadets. Many awards allowed those who have excelled expectations to shine through. This night began with the presenting of the colors and the singing of the national anthem by Rebecca Rough.

Once the colors were retired, Cadet Perez continued the Ceremony by awarding the several teams in JROTC such as Drill Team, Color Guard, Saber Guard, Raider Team, and Air Riffle Team. JLAB is a group of cadets who participate in the academic leadership challenge and competes online against all schools. Recipients of the George C. Marshall Challenge and Leadership Challenge Certificate of Participation were six cadets, Cadets Katie Bliss, Sam Osenga, Gage Panion, Ronni Prather, Reginald Robinson and Elizabeth Roe worked hard to represent JC. They did this and more.

When it comes down to community service hours, it is a requirement to have them, but there are students who go up and beyond that expectation. Cadets in the program have many opportunities to collect hours of community service through many events such as fundraisers, high very clean ups, blood drive, tours, and even upcoming NHRA. These events support the growth of not only the cadet’s hours but also the cadet’s ability to help others and grow for themselves. There were several cadets acknowledged for their hard work with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. One cadet toping it off with a Gold Award with a total of 517 hours, Cadet Ta’Von Horton.

The academic awards honored those who dedicated their time to not only the program but to all their classes and activities. The principal of the Junction City High School’s Science, Engineering and Technology Academy presented these awards. There were cadets who were praised with the Principal’s Award for having the highest GPA out of each LET level. Other cadets were also acknowledged with awards like the Cadet Officer, NCO, and Cadet of the Year. The Officer was awarded to Mason Perez, NCO to Joshua Storey and Cadet of the Year to Cadet Benjamin Allen.

There were many National Awards presented by guest like Conrad Fischer awarding the National Sojourners award to Cadet William Linnabary. SSG Robin Mitchell presenting the US Army Recruiting Command Award to Cadets Jorden Warren and Kaylynn Bliss. Fred Meyer presenting the American Legion Awards to Cadets Reginald Robinson, Kaylynn Bliss, Alexis Butler and Jackson Cyrulk. Jim Champagne presenting the Association of the United States Army Award to Cadet A ’Ron Davis. Other awards were presented such as the Army Reserve Scholar Athlete Award awarded to Cadet, AMRA standing for American Military Retirees Association given to Cadet Mason Perez. Jewish War Veteran’s Americanism Medal was awarded to Cadet Max Treen. The Daedalians award presented to the cadet displaying the potential for leadership constantly. This award was given to Cadet Dawson Ramirez.

Several other awards were awarded to cadets such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America, Daughters of American Colonists and daughters of 1812, KWVA, Scottish Rite, MOWW, ROA, MOAA, NCOA, Sons of the American Revolution, VFW, TREA, Order of the Purple Heart, SCVC, CFF. These awards were presented for the effort, work, dedication, and loyalty, display of leadership, self-discipline, and good citizenship that cadets presented throughout the school year. Superior Cadet Awards were presented to a cadet from each LET level. It is considered the highest award that a cadet could receive. LET 1 Cadet Maggie Solis, LET 2 Cadet Corbin Sanner, LET 3 Cadet Jawannis, and LET 4 to cadet Adam Campbell.

There is an award presented in honor and memory of a former cadet who passed away on July 26^th, 2012. Cadet Elijah Carter-Salisbury. He was known as the “Gentle Giant”. This award is presented to a cadet that shows all of the army values; Loyalty, Duty, Respect Selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. This award was presented to Cadet Ta’ Von Horton.

There are cadets who are graduating, leaving and pursuing a career beyond JROTC and are enlisting or furthering their military involvement. Cadet Adam Campbell will be going to West Point in New York to earn a commission in the Army. Cadet Devin Lambert is enlisted and will be reporting to Fort Benning, Georgia. Cadet Kiera Manning report to Fort Lee for advanced individual training. Cadet Josef Nunez will report to Fort Jackson in South Carolina to become a Human Resource Specialist. Cadet Max Treen is already serving in the Army Reserve, he will report to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for basic training. Cadet Tessa Wilcox is enlisted in the Army and will report to basic training in Fort Jackson South Carolina as well. These cadets as well as all cadets work to serve the JROTC mission: To motivate young people to be better citizens.