The top six Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets, who were named earlier this month, were honored on April 25 at the Annual HISD JROTC Final Review and Awards Ceremony.
All were promoted to the rank of Cadet Colonel (Army) or Cadet Captain (Navy), which are the highest ranks in the program. The top seniors were chosen from among all the graduating seniors in HISD’s 25 JROTC programs.
The top cadets this year, in descending order, are:
- Cadet Corps Commander
Cadet Colonel Devon Willis (Sam Houston MSTC) - First Brigade Commander
Cadet Colonel Christian Green (Lamar HS) - Second Brigade Commander
Cadet Colonel Estefani Berrios (Furr HS) - Third Brigade Commander
Cadet Colonel Maricarmen Velazquez (Austin HS) - Fourth Brigade Commander
Cadet Captain Bianca B. Rubio-Castañeda (Bellaire HS) - Fifth Brigade Commander
Cadet Colonel Jessica Dominguez (Waltrip HS)
To learn more about each of the cadets and see their pictures, please visit the Career Readiness website.
Prior to the selection board, cadets received points based upon their scholastic standing, leadership skills, and participation in extracurricular activities. Cadets were awarded points for their proficiency on a JROTC curricular-based skills test, an oral presentation, a personal evaluation consisting of military courtesy, knowledge of current events, appearance, knowledge of geography, and an evaluation of first-aid techniques such as lifesaving, bandaging, and transporting sick and wounded victims.
The Final Review and Awards Ceremony was held at the Butler Sports Complex, where the top cadets were featured leading their respective units.