The annual JROTC awards ceremony took place last Friday, Jan. 11. The JROTC awards ceremony takes place to represent the hard work the cadets put into their past semesters. Senior Nicholas Delves-Grodon, a captain of JROTC has been in the program throughout his high school career and believes the program shows a concept of recognition.

“We usually go and get awards that the Battalion Commander believes we’ve earned. It’s important to me because it shows the freshmen how far they’ve come and how their work is paying off,” Delves-Grodon said.

Delves-Grodon’s JROTC career led him to a leadership role in the program.

“JROTC has made me the best version of myself in high school, when I first entered the class I wasn’t the best but Sergeant Major never gave up on me. The program has changed me around and now I am considered a leader to the new cadets that come into the program,” Delves-Grodon said.

JROTC uses medals to symbolize cadet’s accomplishments through the years of their enrollment of the program.

“Over the years I am able to walk proud of what I have on my uniform because I know I’ve worked hard for it and I’ve earned it,” Delves-Grodon said.

Delves-Grodon received the Most Improved Cadet Medal, meaning he has shown significant changes from last year, however this was not the highlight of the event for Delves-Grodon.

“My favorite part of the ceremony wasn’t even getting the medal, it was watching my friend Brian walking across the stage and getting his Honor Guard Candidate Cord. All I wanted was for him to be able to get that cord and I’m so proud of him,” Delves-Grodon said.

The event may seem unimportant to some, but Sophomore Olga Gamboa finds it significant for her own reasons.

“[The award ceremony] is more important for the first year cadets since some of them, they are leaving the program so they’ll be receiving awards and be recognized for things that you can only get at the end of each semester,” Gamboa said. “Lots of people work very hard for the awards given at the ceremony, so walking across the stage and getting the recognition of all your hard work is very rewarding.”

Gamboa finds it gratifying to see the reactions to her peers receiving rewards for the hard work they put into each day.
“Seeing everyone walk up with a smile on their face and receive something for all the hard work that they’ve done over the semester is a feeling like no other,” Gamboa said.