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Compiled by Vicki Clark from information supplied by MSGT Willie Jordan
The 2012-13 annual Ray High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Awards Banquet was held Wednesday, April 25, at the Kearny Elks Lodge.
After the of Pledge of Allegiance, MSGT Willie Jordan, who is head of the program at RHS, welcomed everyone and outlined the units’ performances and participation for this past academic year.
During the year the RHS JROTC participated in Memorial Services in Dudleyville, Hayden, Kearny and Superior, providing graveside services for veterans. The group also marched in several parades including those held in Apache Junction, Green Valley, Prescott, Tombstone and in Kearny.
Other events included Color Guard participation in a Drill Meet in Phoenix, RHS football, basketball and volleyball, and the Arizona Rock Products Association. Leadership Camps attended included Casa Grande High School MSMC, AZ, Youth Leadership ASU, ALLECA, and Ft. Huachuca All Service Leadership.
Incentive trips included Old Tucson Fright Night, Camp Pendleton, Knotts Berry Farm, Tempe Paint Balling, Pima Air Museum and various community service projects.
MSGT Jordan also thanked the people of the community for their support of the cadets with the food bank drive, Christmas food basket drive and the Toys for Tots drive. He added a special thanks to all the parents and volunteers that assisted during the various trips during the school year and especially those who donated time to work the basketball concession stand. “We would not have been able to pull off any trips, camps or parades without that support,” he said.
The microphone was then turned over to narrator April Jordan who announced the following special awards.
Distinguished Scholastic Achievement is presented to cadets who have maintained an A average in all subjects, including ROTC, and have finished the academic year in the top 10 % of their class. There were two awards presented. The first was to Altin Hing, who earned his fourth award in this category. Savannah Willis was also recognized with a first award.
The Women Marines Association Award was presented by MSGT Jordan with three cadets being recognized, Breaunna Hathaway, Nicole Conley, and Jesica Garcia.
MOAA awards went to Cadet Jesse Perez, Cadet Christian Rio and Cadet James Byers and were presented by Tom Ralph.
The National Society of Daughters of 1812 award was presented to Breaunna Hathaway.
The award of merit was presented by Richard Nelson to top Freshman, Wyatt Miller; top Sophomore Daniel Woods and Jesse Perez, top Junior.
American Veterans Award went to Daniel Woods and Levi French.
The Daughters of the American Revolution Award was presented to Kara Gillaspy by Linda R. Enz.
Non-Commissioned Office Association Awards were presented to Taylor Ashby and Savannah Willis.
Desert Mustang of Arizona award was presented to Christian Rios by Joe Norris. This award is voted on by the recipients’ peers.
Medals presented from the American Legion for Mililary and Scholastic Excellence by Mike Dinwiddie included Military Excellence to James Byers and Scholastic Excellence to Christopher Misita.
The Reserve Officers Association award was given to Cole Miller and Fleet Reserve Association awards were presented to Juila Coryell and Derrik Reidhead.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart award was presented by Frank Giroux to Christian Rios and the Sons of the American Revolution award was presented to Cole Miller by Brett Benedict.
More awards included the United States Marine Corps Distinguished Scholastic Achievement presented to Altin Hing and the Interscholastic Athletic Excellence presented to Savannah Willis. Presenting these awards was Sgt. Faz.
Certificates of Appreciation from Toys for Tots were presented by Josie Kakar-Delsi and went to cadets who took time out to assist the community.
The Best Drill Cadet went to Christian Rios. This award is awarded annually and voted on by the recipient’s peers. The Most Improved Cadet award is also voted on by the recipient’s peers and this year was presented to Robson Gillaspy.
Presented next were completion packets to all participating cadets and included certificates earned by each.
Cadets included: Cody Gotto, attendance, rifle drill team; Michael Carrillo, attendance, rifle drill team; Austin Collings, attendance, rifle drill team, athletic participation; Savannah Willis, attendance, rifle drill team, athletic participation; Esry Jason, attendance, rifle drill team.
Also Taylor Ashby, completion 1, color guard-rifle drill team, civic service, band; Alicen Baca, completion 1, color guard-rifle drill team, civic service; Juila Coryell, completion 1, color guard-rifle drill team, civic service, athletic participation; Robby Gillaspy, completion 1, color guard-rifle drill team, civic service; Rudy Guerena, completion 1, color guards-rifle drill team, civic service; Wyatt Miller, completion 1, color guard-rifle drill team, civic service, athletic participation; Derrick Reihead, completion 1, color guard-rifle drill team, civic service; Addy Romero, completion 1, color guard-rifle drill team, civic service, athletic participation; Noah Stuart, completion 1, color guard-rifle drill team, civic service, band.
More included Levi French, completion 2, rifle drill team 2, civic service 2; Jescia Garcia, completion 2, color guard-rifle drill team 2, civic service 2; Seth Phillips, completion 2, color guard-drill team 2, civic service; Daniel Woods, completion 2, color guard-rifle drill team, civic service, band.
Also Jacen Stacy, completion 3, rifle drill team 2, civic service 3; Cole Miller, completion 3, athletic participation 3, rifle drill team 3, civic service 3; Anthony Garcia, completion 3, rifle drill team 3, civic service 3; Breaunna Hathaway completion 3, rifle drill team 3, civic service 3, athletic participation 3; Jesse Perez, completion 3, rifle drill team 3, color guard 3, civic service 3.
Graduating seniors were then introduced and received the following certificates:
Nicole Conley, completion 2, color guard 2, rifle drill team 2; Michelle Johnson, completion 4, color guard 4, civic service 4; Chris Misita, completion4, rifle drill team 4, civic service 4, athletic participation; Kara Gillaspy, completion 4, rifle drill team 4, color guard 4, civic service 4; Clarence Baptisto, completion 4, rifle drill team 4, color guard 4, civic service 4; James Byers, completion 4, color guard 4, rifle drill team 4, civic service 4; Christian Rios, completion 4, athletic participation 4, color guard 4, civic service 4; Altin Hing, completion 4, athletic participation 4, color guard 4, civic service 4.
The Booster Club officers were then recognized, Sam Misita, president, Frances Sims, vice president and April Jordan, secretary-treasurer.
Before closing the award program MSGT Jordan introduced Asarco General Manager Joe Wilhelm and presented him a certificate and a framed pictured of the unit for the generous donation given by the company.
The packed house then enjoyed a delicious dinner served by the cadets.
See more photos online at http://bit.ly/YbZ7EA
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