HISD Recognizes Top Six JROTC Cadets in HISD Class of 2013

Students come from HSLECJ, Lamar, Reagan, SHMSTC, Scarborough, and Waltrip

HISD’s JROTC program formally honored its top six cadets from the Class of 2013 during the Annual HISD JROTC Final Review and Awards Ceremony on April 20.

The students were chosen from the ranks of all graduating seniors in HISD’s 25 JROTC programs and all were promoted to Cadet Colonel, which is the highest rank attainable in the JROTC program.

A selection board made up of cadets from Texas A&M University and the University of Houston judged this year’s competition. Cadets received points based upon their scholastic standing and participation in extracurricular activities. They were also awarded points for their proficiency on a Military Qualification Test, an oral presentation, a personal evaluation (consisting of military courtesy, knowledge of current events and geography, and personal appearance), and practical examinations involving first-aid demonstrations.

The top six graduating seniors from the class of 2013 are:

Cadet Colonel Kristin Gerhart

Cadet Colonel Kristin Gerhart is a graduating senior from the High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (LECJ). She serves as the cadet commander for HISD’s 15th Army JROTC Battalion and is the salutatorian for the Class of 2013. Cadet Colonel Gerhart is a member of the National Honor Society, and she is taking Advanced Placement classes in English, calculus, environmental science, psychology, U.S. history, physics and world history.

Cadet Gerhart has placed all four years of high school in the HISD JROTC Cadet Leadership Selection competition, twice finishing at number one. Cadet Colonel Gerhart served as a member of the Unarmed Drill Team and also the Battalion Color Guard. At her church, Kristin is a member of the HUB Student Ministry and the Character, Respect, Wisdom, Team and Humility Leadership Group. After graduation, Kristin plans to attend Texas A&M University and study education, with a focus on Special Education.

Cadet Colonel Jesus Del Rio

Cadet Colonel Jesus Del Rio is a graduating senior from Scarborough High School and the cadet commander for HISD’s 17th Army JROTC Battalion. He is a distinguished diploma candidate and the valedictorian of his class. Cadet Colonel Del Rio serves as president of both the National Honor Society and the Student Council. He is also a member of the Scarborough Leadership Advisory Team.

Cadet Colonel Del Rio has been awarded the Superior Cadet medal and placed in the Cadet Leader Evaluation Board competition in each of his four years in high school. He serves as captain of the 3-A District Champion varsity cross-country team and he is a member of varsity soccer and tennis teams. He attended Texas Boys State, is a delegate for the World Affairs Council, and a member the Close-Up Program. After graduation, Cadet Colonel Del Rio plans to attend the University of Texas in Austin to study business/finance. He received a full scholarship from the POSSE Foundation as a member of HISD’s inaugural class of POSSE Scholars.

Cadet Colonel Emilio Alvarado

Cadet Colonel Emilio Alvarado is a graduating senior from the Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center who serves as the cadet commander for HISD’s 1st Army JROTC Battalion. He is the salutatorian for his senior class, and he serves as vice president of the National Honor Society, president of the French Club, and commander for the Black Knights Drill Team. He is also active in the Upward Bound program and Texas Boys State.

Cadet Colonel Alvarado has been awarded the Superior Cadet Medal for the past two years. After graduation, Emilio will attend Texas A&M University, where he will study computer engineering and enroll in the senior ROTC program. Cadet Colonel Alvarado has received scholarships from the POSSE Foundation, Project GRAD Houston, and the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.

Cadet Colonel Rosendo López

Cadet Colonel Rosendo López is a graduating senior from Reagan High School who serves as the cadet commander for HISD’s 2nd Army JROTC Battalion. Cadet Colonel López is ranked fourth out of 420 graduating seniors, and serves as vice president of the Class of 2013 and captain of the Physical Fitness Team. He is also a member of the Primary Color Guard and the Marksmanship team. Cadet Colonel López has been active in the Rotary Club’s Camp Enterprise, Texas Boys State, the Texas Youth Leadership Forum, and the National 4th of July parade in Washington, D.C. This year, Cadet Colonel López was instrumental in Reagan High School’s participation at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Houston Veterans Cemetery. After graduation, Cadet Colonel López plans to attend the University of Texas and study communications and history using the Presidential Scholarship he received. He also plans on enrolling in the senior ROTC program, with the career aspiration of becoming an Army officer.

Cadet Colonel Elizabeth M. Trujillo

Cadet Colonel Elizabeth Trujillo is a graduating senior from Lamar High School who serves as the cadet commander for HISD’s 7th Army JROTC Battalion. She is an International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate with a 3.9 grade point average. She serves as commander of the Primary Color Guard as has been awarded the Superior Cadet medal, The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Award, and two Superior Instructor Ribbons.

Cadet Colonel Trujillo is the secretary of the Lamar Hispanic Club, a participant in the Women on the Way Up mentorship program, and a tutor at Texas Children’s Hospital. Following graduation, Cadet Colonel Trujillo plans to attend Houston Baptist University and study biochemistry, in preparation for a career as a physician. Cadet Trujillo is the recipient of a Legacy Scholarship valued at $48,000.

Cadet Colonel Jacqueline Hernandez

Cadet Colonel Jacqueline Hernandez is a graduating senior from Waltrip High School who serves as the commander of HISD’s 9th Army JROTC Battalion.

Cadet Colonel Hernandez has a 3.58 grade point average and is ranked 37 out of 362 graduating seniors. She is a member of the National Honor Society and a volunteer at both Benbrook Elementary School and the Treemont Retirement Community. After graduation, Cadet Colonel Hernandez plans to attend Sam Houston State University and study biology, in preparation for a career as a pediatrician.