The Hays High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC recently held its 16th annual awards and Change of Command Ceremony at the Performing Arts Center, with the cadets being recognized for their superior efforts. Graduating senior Cadet Colonel Kaitlyn Williamson received the coveted Semper Fidelis Award and helped close the ceremony with the passing of the colors to the upcoming school year’s cadet commander, Cadet Major Jenna Kadjar. (Photo by Zach Garcia)
by DAVID HAMIL
Special to the Hays Free Press
The Marine Corps Junior ROTC cadets from Hays High School gathered at the Performing Arts Center on the evening of May 4 to recognize several of their own for superior accomplishments during the school year. The annual event is the culminating activity for this very active organization.
The event started, as it has for the past 14 years, with the traditional departing recognition for the graduating cadets that have participated in the MCJROTC program all four years at Hays. The wish for “Fair Winds and Following Seas” went to graduating, fourth-year cadets, C/Col. Kaitlyn Williamson, C/Lt.Col. Kristen Jimenez, C/Lt.Col. Trey Koger, C/Lt.Col. Christian Thompson, C/Lt.Col. Justin Rye, C/Lt.Col. Kristian Marez and C/Sgt.Maj. Jonathon Anderson.
Each year, the cadets use this opportunity to make their annual contribution to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This years’ donation of $5000 will grant the wish of 9-year-old Alejandro from Buda. Over the 16 years, the Marine Cadets at Hays have donated almost $47,000 to grant the “wishes” of local children with life-threatening diseases.
The organization’s efforts toward community service is reflected in their collective accumulation of hours of program-sponsored activities. Several of these programs raised funds that allowed them to also provide $900 to the American Heart Association earlier in the year, and over $500 to the American Cancer Society through the Relay for Life event.
“Involvement in the community and service to others is an integral part of our program and something the Marine Corps feels is a top priority in developing solid citizenship in the cadets,” stated Maj. Hamil, the Senior Marine Instructor at Hays.
The awards presented during the evening, and their respective recipients were: “Esprit de Corps” - C/Cpl. Robert Romero; Most Improved - C/Staff Sgt. Vincent Murillo; Physical Fitness - C/Cpl. James Burkes, C/Cpl. Lindsey Bourland, C/2ndLt. Josh Rodriguez, C/Staff Sgt. Lauren Hayes, C/Sgt.Maj. Keagan McNew, C/Capt. Kristian Marez, C/Lt.Col. Ryan Druell; Marksmanship - C/Cpl. Manuel Balanos, C/Gunnery Sgt. Katherine Messer, C/Maj. Carl Sheldon, C/Lt.Col. Justin Rye; Community Service - C/Sgt. Jonathon Monreal, C/Staff Sgt. Vincent Murillo, C/1stLt. Lino Montoya, C/Lt.Col. Christian Thompson; Distinguished Military Training -C/Maj. Jenna Kadjar, C/Maj. Carl Sheldon; Best Drill Cadet - C/Capt. Andrew O’Neil, C/Maj. Jenna Kadjar; Marine Corps Association Honor Graduate - C/Col. Kaitlyn Williamson; and Outstanding Cadets - C/Sgt. Jonathon Monreal, C/2ndLt. Sydney Rye, C/Maj. Jenna Kadjar, C/Lt.Col. Kristen Jimenez.
Several of the awards are sponsored by local chapters and posts of national, patriotic-based organizations which recognize the importance of Junior ROTC programs in the development of strong character and citizenship in their cadets.
Those awards and their recipients were: Sons of Confederate Veterans - C/1st Lt. Chris Koger, Women Marines Association - C/2nd Lt. Sydney Rye, Fleet Reserve Association - C/2ndLt. Justin Holland, Navy League - C/1stLt. Yecenia Cortez, Non-Commissioned Officers’ Association - C/Sgt.Maj. Keagan McNew, American Veterans - C/1stLt. Rita Hernandez, Scottish Rite - C/Capt. Jacob Trombley, National Sojourners - C/2ndLt. Sydney Rye, Military Order of the World Wars - C/Sgt. Alexandra Hollinshead, Reserve Officers’ Association - C/Maj. Carl Sheldon, Veterans of Foreign Wars - C/2ndLt. Ryan Moore, Order of Daedalians - C/Capt. Erica Felan, Military Officers’ Association - C/Maj. Jenna Kadjar, Military Order of the Purple Heart - C/1stLt. Lino Montoya, Daughters of the American Revolution - C/Capt. Erica Felan, Sons of the American Revolution - C/Capt. Kelsie Ranson, American Legion Military Excellence - C/Maj. Carl Sheldon, and American Legion Scholastic Achievement - C/Maj. Jenna Kadjar.
The final, and most coveted, award of the evening was the “Semper Fidelis Award” – presented to the cadet who demonstrated, above all others, the core values of the Marine Corps: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. The ceremonial sword and wall-mount plaque was presented to C/Col. Kaitlyn Williamson, one of the graduating, fourth-year seniors.
As always, the occasion culminated with the “passing of the colors”, as C/Col. Kaitlyn Williamson relinquished her command of Rebel Battalion to next years’ Battalion Commander, C/Maj. Jenna Kadjar.
According to Maj. Hamil, next years’ enrollment in this special program at Hays will be about 113 students, with half of that number returning for their second, third or fourth years as cadets.
Anyone desiring more information about this program may contact the instructors at 268-1965.
