Hawaii JROTC Cadets Honored at Fort Shafter

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii Aca,!" Approximately 800 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from 26 high schools were honored during the 27th Annual GovernorAca,!a,,cs JROTC Review and Awards Ceremony on historic Palm Circle April 30.

Top cadets from each high school were awarded the JROTC KinaAca,!a,,cole award from Hawaii Lt. Governor James R. Aca,!A"DukeAca,!A? Aiona, Jr. and congratulated by the ceremonyAca,!a,,cs host, Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commanding general, United States Army, Pacific.

Aca,!A"This is a tremendous privilege for me to be a part of the KinaAca,!a,,cole award ceremony which recognizes and honors the achievements of these outstanding cadets what I would describe as the best of the best,Aca,!A? Aiona said. Aca,!A"I would like to take the time to acknowledge and thank all of you who are part of (JROTC.) You have not only provided these young men and women with one of the best character and leadership programs in Hawaii, but you have modeled through your words and actions the essence of what I call principled leadership.Aca,!A?

According to Title 10, Section 2031 of the United States Code, the purpose of JROTC is Aca,!Eoeto instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.Aca,!a,,c

Aca,!A"Cadets on the field, you have been provided valuable skills that will serve you well,Aca,!A? Mixon said. Aca,!A"Whether you pursue a career in the military, government, politics or the corporate business world, Junior ROTC is a great place to become ingrained with the qualities that lead to success; teamwork, discipline and service.

Aca,!A"We want to have good, dedicated citizens, and that is certainly what this program typifies and instills from the various members of the cadre who are involved in the development of these great, young Americans.Aca,!A?

According to the KinaAca,!a,,cole Foundation, Aca,!A"the concept of KinaAca,!a,,cole can be best described as Aca,!Eoeflawlessness,Aca,!a,,c and this award as befitting one who has done the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, in the right place, to the right person, for the right reason, with the right feeling, the first time.Aca,!A?

Aca,!A"I think the biggest thing I learned during JROTC was how important communication is,Aca,!A? said Cadet Lt. Col. Mikael Torres, senior at Waipahu High School. Aca,!A"ItAca,!a,,cs most definitely something I will use when I graduate.Aca,!A?

Aca,!A"I know how much JROTC has meant to him over the last four years and this is quite an accomplishment,Aca,!A? said MikaelAca,!a,,cs mother, Staff Sgt. Jean Torres, U.S. Army, Pacific. Aca,!A"I am so proud of him.Aca,!A?

Also during the ceremony, each high school had a chance to demonstrate their drill and ceremony skills during a Aca,!A"pass in reviewAca,!A? in honor of their distinguished guests. While marching to the music of the Pacific Fleet Band, units were judged by members of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club to determine the best marching unit.

Command Sgt. Maj. George Duncan, command sergeant major, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, presented Campbell High School with the Best Marching Unit trophy. Kalaheo High School and McKinley High School rounded out the top three.

Aca,!A"The best part of this ceremony was meeting the general and the lieutenant governor,Aca,!A? said Cadet Lt. Col. Trey Livingston, senior at Konawaena High School. Aca,!A"I think this award is a great accomplishment because I worked hard for the last four years, and this proves that it was worth it.Aca,!A?

The 2009 Outstanding Cadet awardees are:

Cadet Capt. Corey Debebar Aiea High School

Cadet Lt. Col. Andy Felix Baldwin High School

Cadet Ensign Allan James Saoit Campbell High School

Cadet 1st Lt. Brandon Nuss Castle High School

Cadet Lt. Col. Hossana Terrado Farrington High School

Cadet Maj. Paulina Castillo Hilo High School

Cadet Lt. Col. Kanoelanni Padeken Kahuku High School

Cadet Lt. Col. Zachary Wachter Kailua High School

Cadet Lt. Col. Earl Condra Kaimuki High School

Cadet Lt. Col. Kiley Neves Kaiser High School

Cadet Cmdr. Gabriela Espino Kalaheo High School