Two cadets from South Aiken High School’s Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program are earning recognition in the CSRA while they gain confidence in their leadership skills in the classroom.
On May 12, 2021, Senior Rebecca Wright and Sophomore Savanna Welch received the honor of being named the 2021 CSRA JROTC Senior Cadet of the Year and 2021 CSRA JROTC Junior Cadet of the Year, respectively, by Augusta University Professor of Military Science Lt. Col. Jeffrey Keenan.
A board of JROTC Instructors from throughout the CSRA were convened by the Command Officer of ROTC Unit Augusta University to select one Senior and one Junior Cadet of the Year by identifying talent and leadership skills in students from 23 qualifying schools in the CSRA.
“It was really about pulling those young men and women in high school to the top and let them shine,” stated Col. Keenan. “It is pretty significant that South Aiken stood out in the 23 schools.”
As part of being considered for this award, each cadet wrote an essay about how participating in the NJROTC program has changed them. Each cadet agreed there are many benefits to the program that have allowed them to grow personally.
“I’ve learned a lot about leadership through (NJROTC), and being here with others has built my confidence and self-esteem so much,” stated Savanna Welch.
Cadets were joined on stage during the ceremony by South Aiken High School Principal Sam Fuller, ACPSD Superintendent King Laurence, and ACPSD Executive Director of High Schools, Bert Postell. During the ceremony each cadet received a plaque from the South Carolina National Guard as well as a trophy/plaque naming them Cadet of the Year from the ROTC Department of Augusta University presented by Senior Military Science Instructor Master Sergeant of the U.S. Army, Kevin File.
“We don’t do this to get awards, so it’s nice to be recognized,” Rebecca Wright commented.
The South Aiken High School NJROTC unit, known as the Buccaneers, is led by Senior Naval Science Instructor Col. Claude Davis (Ret.) and Naval Science Instructor Richard Barnes (Ret).
“These cadets are the epitome of South Aiken High School and Aiken County Public School District students,” stated Col. Davis.
The Buccaneers also earned the prestigious Distinguished Unit Award this year, placing them within the top 10-percent of all JROTC units from across the country.
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LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2021 PR SOUTH AIKEN NJROTC CADETS NAMED REGION CADETS OF THE YEAR