Sussex Tech JROTC holds Change of Command and Awards Ceremony
The Sussex Technical High School JROTC Change of Command Ceremony and Awards Banquet was held May 24 at the Georgetown CHEER Center. Several guests were in attendance to present scholarships and awards to the Raven Battalion cadets.
Bob Shiles Jr., incoming commander of the Long Neck American Post 22 AMVETS, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Cadet Battalion Commander Col. Kaycee Bean of Laurel. Bean also received the Daughters of the American Revolution Award from Donna Horvet. Then shel received an engraved battalion commander’s saber from instructor Maj. (Ret.) Ben Jester.
Cadet Lt. Col. Tyler Wood of Laurel received the Military Order of the Purple Heart Award from John Jackson. Wood was also named Superior Cadet for the senior class.
Other special guests presenting awards were Col. (Ret.) Gene Hebert presenting the Reserve Officers Association Award to Cadet Capt. Jeremy Dulis of Seaford and the Military Order of World Wars Award to Cadet Lt. Col. Emma Rider of Milton. Rider also received the Distinguished Cadet honor awarded annually to the cadet who exhibits the highest degree of excellence in scholastics. Jean Mulford presented the Daughters of 1812 Award to Cadet Maj. Samantha Hawkins of Georgetown.
Following dinner, the military ritual of the Change of Command was executed when Battalion Commander Col. Kaycee Bean passed over the battalion flag to incoming Commander Emma Rider. After Bean’s farewell speech to her troops, the new commander presented JROTC awards to the cadets as follows: Superior Cadets: LET 1 - Brandon Bradshaw of Laurel; LET 2 - Brittany Yeo of Georgetown; LET 3 - Emma Rider of Milton; and LET 4 - Tyler Wood of Georgetown; Academic Excellence: LET 1 - Haley Knowles of Lincoln; LET 2 -Carly Precht of Millsboro; LET 3 - Samantha Hawkins of Georgetown; LET 4 -Alicia Martinez of Seaford; Instructor Leadership: LET 1 - Haley Knowles of Lincoln; LET 2 - Brittany Yeo of Georgetown; LET 3 - Jeremy Dulis of Seaford: LET 4 - Tyler Wood of Laurel.
Cadets also received awards in the categories of Perfect Attendance, Service, Personal Appearance, Proficiency, Good Conduct, Raider Team membership, Drill Team Membership, Color Guard and Excellent Staff Performance. Go to www.sussexvt.k12.de.us for a complete list.
