May 9, 2006

Students honored as CUHSD’s Jr. ROTC program expands

By Julie Davis Berry
Executive Editor

It was standing room only in the Prospect High School cafeteria when families and friends gathered on April 28 for the 33rd annual Campbell Union High School District Junior ROTC Awards Ceremony.

The ROTC Rifle drill team practices their drill before the performance: (l. to r.) William Whitney, Nick Berry, Morgan Martinez, Chance Fullmer, Tiana DiDiono, Thomas Robashadi and Ryan DeSorbo.

The United States Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program has been offered for 33 years to students in all of the high schools in the district: Westmont, Del Mar, Prospect, Leigh and Branham and has been growing exponentially each year.

“In some schools we’ve more than doubled the number of students in the program. And, we have more and more kids continuing the program each year and it’s exciting to see a student who started as a freshman graduate the program as a senior,” said instructor Major Kelly Cross.

Yet, surprisingly less than 1 percent of the ROTC students go into active duty straight out of high school. “Most go on to college,” said Cross. “Our emphasis is more on building life skills rather than joining the military. Staying physically fit, staying focused on priorities, creating discipline in your life and finding out what you are passionate about and going after it, that’s what I want our cadets to get out of ROTC.”

The following awards of excellence were given out at the ceremony. The schools the students attend are designated as Branham (B), Del Mar (DM), Leigh (L), Prospect (P) and Westmont (W):

Sons of the American Revolution - Awarded to a cadet who has exhibited the highest standards of leadership, soldierly bearing, and excellence.

Color guard: Ryan Wada, Adara Beamesderfer,  Steve Field and Cindy An

Jeffrey Clark (W), Ilyn Vazquez (B), Hernan Tantaruna (P), Brandon Murillo (L), Steven Cary (DM).
 
Daughters of the American Revolution- Presented to a graduating cadet who is in the upper 25 percent of the graduating class in all subjects. Must have demonstrated qualities of dependability and good character, military discipline, leadership ability and understand the importance of JROTC.
 
Alisa Sieber (B), Anush Hakobyan (W), Yvonne Law (W), Marshall Angerman (DM), Steven Field (L).
 
Military order of the World Wars - Presented to an outstanding cadet who excel in both military and scholastic activities, is in good standing in all military and scholastic courses, has indicated a desire to serve the United States in some capacity and has committed to continue MCJROTC.
 
Bianca Clemens (W), Ryan Bray (P), Joshua Rodriguez (DM), Loryn Beamesderfer (L), Chim Yong Lee (B).

Retired Officers Association - Presented to a cadet for outstanding academic achievement. The cadet must be in the top 10 percent of the class, have an "A" average in MCJROTC subjects, hold an officer's billet in the unit and be in the junior year of high school.

Mathew Nelson, Hernan Tataruna and Brian Anderson

Adara Beamesderfer (L), Yu He (B), Cindy An (W), Marisol Ortega (P), David Howard (DM).
 
Daedalian Award - Presented to a cadet who has demonstrated an understanding and appreciation of patriotism, love of country and service to the nation. Shows a desire and potential to pursue a military career, ranked in upper 10 percent of the MCJROTC junior class, and 20 percent of the school's junior class.

Marisol Ortega (P), Katie Hagopian (B), Allison Lincoln (DM), Rachel Rugato  (L), David Tollerud (W).
 
Women Marine Association - Presented annually to one cadet who has a satisfactory record of academic accomplishment and citizenship and has the highest leadership education grades in the unit.
 
Stephanie Towne (W), Katrina Lopez (DM), Samantha Fox (L), Jamesel Rom (B).
                  
National Sojourners Award - Presented annually to a sophomore or junior cadet who is enrolled for the next year, is in the top 25 percent and has encouraged and demonstrated the ideals of Americanism.
 
Lillian Quan (W)  Ryan Wada (P)  Alex Doyle (W) Gryaznov Sviatoslav (B), Samantha Fox (L).