JROTC receives ‘Distinguished Unit’ award
Published 3:04 pm Monday, May 13, 2019
- The Southside High School Air Force JROTC cadets earning awards are, bottom row from left: Dallas County Commissioner Valerie Reubin, Ceneshia Cleveland, Genry Tomas-Ramos, Shi’Tyanna Wilson, She’Kaliah Richardson, Kierra Weaver, Jeremiah Rivers and Dallas County Schools Superintendent Hattie Shelton. Top row, from left, are: Aaron Acoff, Deundrik Peterson, Keundrik Peterson, Alyssa Thicklin, Shemar Jackson, Deondra Burns and Tiara Purifoy. Also receiving an award, but not pictured is Keyonnah Weaver.
The Air Force Junior ROTC Unit AL-961 at Southside High School was recently selected to receive a 2017-2018 Air Force JROTC Distinguished Unit Award.
The award recognizes Air Force JROTC units that have performed above and beyond normal expectations, and that have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community.
This marks the 12th time in the past 22 years that the Southside High School unit has received this designation.
Lt. Col. Steve Ruiz, a leader of Southside’s JROTC program, says that the sense of community service instilled in the young Cadet’s is the reason for the unit’s success.
“We really instill the community service aspect,” said Ruiz. “We want to teach them that nothing comes easy and nothing comes free.”
The Cadets set a goal for an average of 12 community service hours per cadet. They surpassed that goal amassing a total of 557 Community Service hours by hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive, and assisting the Selma VFW Post 3016 with their annual Buddy Poppy Fund Drive.
They also provided support for the Selma American Legion Post’s annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony as well as group participation in the Dallas County Commissioner’s Clean Up Campaign.
