More than 500 parents, family members and friends showed up at Oak Harbor High School’s gym June 2 for the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps award ceremony.
Along with presentation of awards by more than 18 groups, there was an armed and unarmed drill team that many in the crowd had come to see. After separate demonstrations by the teams, more than 176 NJROTC cadets marched into the gym to form the company for the award presentation.
“We had the award ceremony in a smaller space last year but so many of the parents wanted to see the drill teams we had it in the gym this year,” said NJROTC senior naval science instructor, Cmdr. Mike Black.
Representatives from numerous local and national service organizations presented their annual awards to the following cadets:
• Navy League Youth Medal — Tricia Desquitado
• Navy League Outstanding Cadet — Tyler Peterson
• American Legion Military Excellence Medal — Joyce Abides
• American Legion Scholastic Medal — Alexandra McNaught
• Military Order of the World Wars “Medal of Merit” Melissa Malong
• Military Order of the World Wars Outstanding Career-Oriented Senior — Daniel Nesser
• Military Order of the World Wars Outstanding Cadet — Brandy Allain
• Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction Award — Mai Takeyama
• Surface Warfare Association Stephen Decatur, Jr. Ribbon — Rebecca Holloman
• Surface Warfare Association Stephen Decator Jr. Medal — Josh McVey
• Non-Commissioned Officers Association Medal — Audrey Bouwens
• Non-Commissioned Officers Association Medal — Samone Lewis
• National Sojourners Award — Brittany Kjos
• Military Order of the Purple Heart — Therese Desquitado
• Military Officers Association of America Medal — Thomas Honeycutt
• Order of Daedalians Medal — Josh Schrum
• Order of Daedalians Medal — Todd Adair
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Medal — Cody Hernkind
• Daughters of the American Revolution Medal — Mikaela Stahl
• Sons of the American Revolution Medal — Chel Moore
• Reserve Officers Association Medal — Mat Sypert
• American Veterans Department of Washington Medal — Brendan Bristow
• Daren Jewell Scholarships ($500 each) — Daniel Nesser and Jami Zuber
• Rear Adm. George Lotzenhiser “Take the Bull by the Horns” Leadership Award — Brandy Allain
Following the award presentations, the Company conducted a Pass-in-Review in honor of the presenters and the audience.
In addition to the awards, the organizations contributed $2,000 to support NJROTC. Funds are used to send selected cadets to NJROTC Summer Leadership Academies, continue funding of the Daren Jewell and Jared Davis Scholarships and to support continuing unit operations.
Eight Oak Harbor cadets will attend leadership academies this year. Six at Northwest Leadership Academy at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island June 25 to July 2 and two at Hawaii Leadership Academy at Naval Station Pearl Harbor June 20 to 29.
“The large and enthusiastic crowd in attendance reflects the great support the NJROTC program enjoys in the community and among our students and their families,” said Black.
The NJROTC will begin the 2011-2012 school year in September with 194 cadets.
