Two Southside High School instructors have placed the school’s AFJROTC program on the map with three national awards.

Senior Master Sgt. Alejandro Medina and Lt. Col. Steve Ruiz have both been awarded the national Air Education and Training Command Award for the 2014-2015 school year from the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Along with the instructors, Southside High School also received a certificate of recognition from the corps. The awards were given in May and honor the top 10 percent of AFJROTC programs in the nation.

The men were recognized for their work at Monday’s Dallas County Board of Education meeting.

“They’re well-represented nationally and well though of,” said Superintendent Don Willingham said. “We’re blessed to have them.”

Humbling was one word Ruiz used to describe the recognition.

“I didn’t have much feeling about it, until once they ( the board) started talking about it. I realized this is a big thing. I just look at it as we do the best we can for Southside.”

Ruiz believes his personal recognition is a reflection of the school. He said the award speaks highly of Southside.

Like Ruiz, Medina said the award highlights the great work done at the high school. He said that work could not be done without the support of parents, students, teachers and staff.

“It feels great, and humbling because we have two cadets that have become officers already, and we have many cadets that are in the military. It makes you feel good because that’s the whole mission of the program to make sure they are ready for life after high school and ready to serve the community,” Medina said.